Artist's Bio 2006

Dr. Cris Guenter is a professor in the Department of Education at California State University, Chico. She holds a B.F.A. degree in painting and a B.S.degree in Art Education from Penn State University.  She earned her M.A.T. degree in painting and graphics and Ed.D. degree in education foundations and instructional technology at the University of Wyoming. She served as a high school art teacher in Pennsylvania and a gifted & talented coordinator and teacher in Wyoming before coming to CSU, Chico to teach teachers.  Her 28 years of teaching art and education span the kindergarten-university spectrum. She serves as a consultant and contributor to Glencoe McGraw-Hill Publishers for their art education text books. She specializes in teaching that focuses upon arts education, computer graphics and technology in education, creativity across the curriculum, and interdisciplinary education. She was named CSU, Chico's Outstanding Teacher for 2000 and California's Outstanding Visual Art Educator for 2001-2002. Cris is a practicing artist who exhibits her paintings, prints, and photographs in local, regional, and national juried exhibitions.

Artist’s Statement

Growing up in rural northwestern Pennsylvania with the rugged hills of the Seneca Highlands and virgin timber stands of the Alleghany Mountains, nature has always inspired me and taught me.  Line, color, shape, and composition that surround us daily influence the images that I create. Watercolors, acrylics, oils, wood-block and monotype printmaking, and photography are among my targeted mediums. Nature is a powerful presence. Nature's ability to cause us to wonder, to relax, and question are ongoing threads in my work.  These words I wrote for one of my solo exhibits provide a summary for viewing my work.

"An invitation to step inside,

The will to dare is the guide.

Observe, absorb to learn and grow;

Perception leads us where we go."

    --Cris Guenter

Open Studio Tour Information

Cris Guenter has a studio in her home. She displays her work and conducts demonstrations for the Open Studio Tour from her garage.  The space and open air of the garage make a visit to this studio stop easy, interesting, and fun. This year Dr. Guenter will be demonstrating a printmaking process known as monotype during the Open Studios Tour. There will be a small printmaking press set up and the process will be demonstrated for those who are interested.

Paintings, limited edition prints, photographs and cards from many of the art pieces will be available at this stop on the Open Studio Tour.  Prices range from $6-$600.