Debra Baxter is a sculptor and jewelry designer who combines carved alabaster with crystals, minerals, metals, and found objects. She received her MFA in Sculpture from Bard College in 2008 and her BFA from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in 1996. She also studied at Academia di Belle Arti in Florence, Italy. Baxter has received an Artist Trust Individual Artist Grant, three 4Culture Individual Project Grants in Seattle, Washington. Baxter is 2019 recipient of the Joan Mitchell Foundation Painters & Sculptors Grants.
Baxter’s work has been featured in Zoo Magazine (Germany), Edelweiss Magazine (Switzerland), Zink, art ltd., Design Bureau, Sculpture, Seattle and THE Magazine, well as hundreds of blogs all over the world. Her work has been exhibited in solo shows including Tooth and Nail, form&concept, Santa Fe NM; We Care a Lot, Central Features Contemporary Art, Albuquerque, NM; ALL I EVER WANTED, Platform Gallery, Seattle WA; So Proud of You, Howard House, Seattle, WA; and Debra Baxter, Massimo Audiello, New York, NY. Her work was also included in Protective Ornament, an exhibition curated by Suzanne Ramjak for the Memphis Metals Museum which traveled to the Tacoma Art Museum. Other group exhibitions include: Making Mends, Bellevue Art Museum, Bellevue, WA; Death and Other Objects, Or Gallery, Vancouver, BC; and Woman in the Director’s Chair, Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Baxter’s wearable sculpture piece Devil Horns Crystal Brass Knuckles (Lefty) is in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian’s Renwick Gallery.
Baxter has created two artist’s books: Wanting is Easier than Having, and 100 Days of Sculpture, both published by Publication Studio in Portland, Oregon.
Press Links
- “The Fortress of Solitude” Art for Your Ear with Danielle Krysa.
- “Crystal Hearts and Translucent Tongues shaped into Sculptural Works by Debra Baxter” This Colossel
- “Debra Baxter ‘Ghost Heart’ and Rebecca Champeron ‘Incandecent’ at Roq La Rue Seattle” Juxtapose.
- “Practice Practice” Laura Spence King/Field of Studies.
- “The Art of a Woman” Elysian Magazine.
- “Studio Visit” The Magazine.
- “‘Connections: Contemporary Craft at the Renwick Gallery’ features this piece of wearable art” The Washington Post.
- “Debra Baxter.” Visual Art Source.
- “Debra Baxter: All I Ever Wanted.” International Sculpture Center.
- “Debra Baxter’s Five Perfect Pillows.” The Stranger.
- “September 2011 Review – Debra Baxter: Wanting is Easier Than Having.” art ltd. Magazine.
- “Crystal Clear: Artist Debra Baxter reveals the hidden messages in her creations.” Zoo Magazine, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
- “A Diamond in the Rough,” Deluxxdigital Magazine.
- “2010 Spotlight Award: Debra Baxter,” Seattle Magazine.
- “Review of reviews: Art – Where to buy.” The Week Magazine.
- “Debra Baxter: Badass Crystal Jewelry.” Design Bureau, November/December 2011.
- “Bijoux & Cailloux: L’âge Des Cristaux,” Edelweiss Magazine.
- “Light come shining: Debra Baxter, Dawn Cerny and Jenny Heishman,” Newsreview.com.
- “Ignition: Rock On,” Zink Magazine.
- “Debra Baxter,” Sculpture Magazine.
- “Debra Baxter Defies Physics at Howard House,” Seattle Magazine.
- “The Stranger Suggests: Heide Hinrichs and Debra Baxter,” The Stranger.
- “Currently Hanging: Debra Baxter’s Dust Mask,” The Stranger SLOG.
- “The Force of Absence,” Gay City News.
- “Liquid, Fragile, Perishable,” The Stranger.
- Featured in China’s Vision Magazine. Yi, Liang. “SOIL.” China: Vision. Sept., 2006, p. 190-194
- 2006 Profile of Debra Baxter. “SOIL Artist-run Gallery 2006”. Published in 2006 by SOIL Art Gallery
- “Baxter’s clouds exude the delicate lightness of being,” The Seattle P.I.
- “These artists’ visions are all in the ‘Paperwork’,” The Seattle P.I.
- “Soil exhibit is fertile ground for new forms,” The Seattle P.I.
- “Nature becomes artificial in the hands of artists at Soil,” The Seattle P.I.
Blog Links
- “Sparkle Power – The Art of Debra Baxter.” Hi-Fructose.
- “Dwoista Natura Krysztalu (Dual Nature of the Crystal),” Polska Bizuteria
- “Debra Baxter Redux,” My Love For You Is A Stampede Of Horses
- “Debra Baxter’s Crystal Brass Knuckles,” My Love For You Is A Stampede Of Horses
- “Debra Baxter’s Crystal Brass Knuckles,” Urban Outfitters Blog
- “Realign Your Chakras,” Pine and Lord
- “Crystal Brass Knuckles,” Sea of Ghosts
- “Design Porn: Statement Pieces,” Flavourwire
- “RANDOM: Crystal Brass Knuckles,” The Fashionably Independent
Education
- 2007
- Master of Fine Arts, Bard College, Milton Avery School of the Arts, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY
- 1996
- Bachelor of Fine Art, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis MN
- 1995
- Accademia di Belle Arti, Florence, Italy
- 1995
- Porto Romano, Florence, Italy
- 1991
- University of Nebraska College of Art And Sciences, Lincoln NE
- 1990
- Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City MO
Honors
- 2019
- Recipient of the Joan Mitchell Foundation Painters & Sculptors Grants
- 2016
- The Westcliff Fund Fellowship Anderson Ranch
- 2015
- Jentel Artist Residency
- 2012
- GAP Grant
- Finalist for Contemporary Northwest Art Awards
- 4 Culture Special Project Grant
- 2010
- Louis Comfort Tiffany Award Finalist
- 4Culture Special Projects Grant
- 2009
- Jentel Artist Residency
- 2009
- Artist Trust Fellowship
- 2008
- 4Culture Special Projects Grant
Select Solo and Two Person Exhibitions
- 2020
- Roq La Rue, “For Dear Life,” Seattle WA
- 2019
- Roq La Rue, “Ghost Heart” Seattle WA
- 2018
- form&concept, “Tooth and Nail,” Santa fe NM
- 2015
- Central Features Gallery, “We Care a Lot,” Albuquerque NM
- 2014
- Platform Gallery, “ALL I EVER WANTED,” Seattle WA
- 2011
- Platform Gallery, “Wanting is Easier than Having,” Seattle WA
- 2010
- Shepard Gallery, “Every Distance is Not Near” with Dawn Cerny and Jenny Heisman, Reno, NV
- 2009
- Howard House, “So Proud of You,” Seattle WA
- 2008
- Massimo Audiello Gallery New York City
- 2007
- Soil, “Yielded,” with Robert de Saint Phalle Seattle WA.
- 2005
- 4Culture Gallery, “The Cloud that Fell to Earth,” Seattle WA
- 2004
- Soil, “Topography of Home,” Seattle WA
- 2002
- The Commencement Gallery, Tacoma WA
- Zeitgeist Gallery, “lightness/weight” Seattle WA
- 2001
- Artreach Gallery, “code/coincidence” Seattle WA
- 2000
- Ace Studios Gallery, Seattle WA
- 1999
- Madrona Automatic, “mine” Seattle WA
- Charles Wright Academy Tacoma, WA
- 1998
- The Studio Art Center, Everett, WA.
- Alexander Gallery, Seattle WA.
- Studio 229, Seattle WA.
- 1997
- Royal Gallery, Minneapolis, MN
- 1996
- Old Arizona Studios, Minneapolis, MN.
- August Moon, Golden Valley, MN. 1996 East Lake Street Gallery, Minneapolis MN.
- 1995
- Gallery 221, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis MN
Select Group Exhibitions
- 2016
- form&concept, “Re Fashion,” Santa Fe NM
- 2013
- OCHI gallery, “Scientific Visions”, Sun Valley ID
- 2012
- ArtSpace, “Another Crystal Land,” Collaboration with Margot Quan Knight, New Haven Connecticut
- The Hedreen Gallery at the Lee Center for the Arts, Seattle University,”The rug pulled out from underneath; you lie on the floor,” Seattle WA
- Greg Kucera Gallery, “Ladies Choice,” Seattle WA
- Weltenbuerger Art Space L.A., “Ermie Guest Curation,” Los Angeles CA
- Roq La Rue, “Red Current,” Seattle WA
- 2011
- In Your Face, SHOWstudio, London
- SOME/THINGS Gallery, Paris France
- G. Gibson Gallery, “Protective Ornament” curated by Suzanne Ramljak
- Nepo House, “Encounters,” Seattle WA
- 2010
- Henry Art Gallery, “Gift Shop/Midnight Requisition,” Seattle WA
- 2009
- Or Gallery, “Death and Objects,” Vancouver BC
- 2006
- Or Gallery, “Why I Am So Unhappy,” Vancouver BC
- 2005
- Performa05, Grand openings, Film Anthalogy Archives, New York City with Ei Arakawa, Jutta Koether, and Emily Sunblad
- Ballard Featherston, “I want you to want me,” Seattle WA
- Aqua Art Miami, Miami Florida (corresponding with Art Basel Miami)
- First Year Show, Bard College, Annandale on Hudson, New York
- Soil, “Green,” Seattle WA
- 2004
- Platform, “Paperworks,” Seattle WA
- Soil, “New Acquisions,” Seattle WA
- Soil, “Masquerade,” Seattle WA
- 2003
- COCA Northwest Annual, Juried by Esther Luttikhuizen, Seattle WA
- Soil, “Specimen,” Seattle WA
- Bumbershoot, The Gallery of Collections and Creations,” Seattle WA
- Ten63, Long Island NY
- Consolidated Works, “The Girly Fun Show,” Seattle, WA
- Art Resource Gallery, Minneapolis, MN
- Artreach Gallery, “Let them eat cake,” Seattle, WA
- 2002
- Bellevue Art Museum, “Our Response to Place,” Juried Show, Seattle WA.
- 2000
- Artreach Gallery, Seattle WA
- Mix Gallery, Seattle WA.
- Theater4, Seattle WA.
- 1998
- Washington State Convention Center, Seattle, WA.
- 1997
- Art Resource Gallery, St. Paul, MN.
- Gigfest, Minneapolis, MN.
- Grants Pass Art Museum, Grants Pass, Oregon.
- Flanders Contemporary Art, Minneapolis, MN.
- Witter Gallery, Storm Lake, Iowa.
- 1996
- Walker Art Center, “Woman in the Director’s Chair,” Minneapolis, MN
- Minnetonka Center for the Arts, “faculty show,” Minnetonka, MN.
- Red Eye Theater, Minneapolis, MN.
- Pen and Brush Gallery, New York.
- Minneapolis College of Art and Design’s Senior Exhibition, Minneapolis, MN.
- Calhoun Gallery, Minneapolis, MN.
- 1995
- Flanders Contemporary Arts, Minneapolis MN.
- Gallery 221, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis MN.
- Parts Gallery, Juried local color show, Minneapolis MN.
Screenings
- 2010
- Solus a Filmbase, Dublin, Ireland
- Banff Center Screening at Beautiful Lives. Banff, Canada.
- MVMA Fest 2010, Marfa TX
- Co-Lab, organized by Birdhouse Collective in Austin, TX
- Version 10 Festival, Chicago, IL.
- 2009
- DEAF (Dublin Electronic Arts Festival) Ireland.
- Small House Screening. San Paulo, Brazil.
Private and Public Collections
- ColorBright Inc., Minneapolis, MN
- Nano Systems, Philadelphia PA
- Bemidji State Bank, Bemidji, MN
- Eisenstadt Collection, Minneapolis, MN
- Progressivev Insurance, NYC
- Convertito Residence, Minneapolis, MN
- Shipior Professionals Attorney at Law, Golden Valley, MN
Bibliography
- Kangas, Matthew. Visual Art Source. April 2014.
“Debra Baxter.” - Beal, Suzanne. International Sculpture Center. April 16, 2014.
“Debra Baxter: All I Ever Wanted.“ - Graves, Jen. The Stranger. April 2014.
“Debra Baxter‘s Five Perfect Pillows.“ - Ramljak, Suzanne. Available in 2014.
“On Body and Soul: Contemporary Armor to Amulets.“ - art ltd. Magazine. September 2011.
“September 2011 Review – Debra Baxter: Wanting is Easier Than Having.“ - The Week Magazine. July 2011.
“Review of reviews: Art – Where to buy.“ - Zoo Magazine. nº31. 2011.
“Crystal Clear: Artist Debra Baxter reveals the hidden messages in her creations.“ - Edelweiss Magazine. nº2. 2011.
“Bijoux & Cailloux: L’âge Des Cristaux.“ - Deluxxdigital. Issue 10. January 2011.
“A Diamond in the Rough.“ - Bynum, Brad. Newsreview.com. October 2010.
“Light come shining: Debra Baxter, Dawn Cerny and Jenny Heishman.“ - Davis, Brangien. Seattle Magazine. August 2010, p. 126–127.
“2010 Spotlight Award: Debra Baxter.“ - Moore, Reese. Zink Magazine. May 2010, p. 22.
“Ignition: Rock On.“ - Kangas, Matthew. Sculpture Magazine. 2010.
“Debra Baxter: Howard House.“ - Lippins, Nate, Seattle Post-Intellegence, Jan 19, 2007
“Debra Baxter hits a pinnacle with accomplished ‘Yielded.’ ” - Brownson, Craig, The Stranger, Jan 11, 2007,Vol. 16, No. 18
“Liquid, Fragile, perishable, What It Looks To Be Commandingly Unsheltered.” - Laurence, Robin, The Georgia Straight, March 9,2006
“Adventures in Unhappiness” - Yi, Liang. “SOIL.“ China: Vision. Sept., 2006, p. 190–194
- Hackett, Regina, Seattle Post Intelligence December 30 2006
“An air of Rebellion Breathes New Life Into the Visual Art Scene” - Lippens, Nate, The Stranger, January 20, 2005,Vol14,No.19<
“Cloud Busting, Debra Baxter’s Strange Weather.” - Hackett, Regina, Seattle Post Intellegence, January 14, 2005,
“Baxter’s clouds exude the delicate lightness of being” - Hackett, Regina, Seattle Post -Intelligence, Sept 17, 2004
“Soil Collective’s Self Portraits are literally, High art.” - Hackett, Regina , Seattle Post-Intelligence, March 19,2004
“Soil Exhibit is fertile ground For New Forms” - Hackett, Regina , Seattle Post-Intelligence, November 14,2003
”what’s happening”, page 18,”Nature becomes artificial in the hands of artists at Soil” - Hackett, Regina , Seattle Post-Intelligence, October 7,2003, section E,
“Taste the raw, not the cooked at COCA show” - Hackett, Regina, Seattle Post-Intelligence August 28, 2003
- Komo TV interview midday news ,July 22,2003
- KWJZ 98.9 “Spotlight” interview with Ester “Dove” John, July 21,2003
- Disney Radio 1250am “Kids Care” Interview with Christie Thuren Grogger June 30, 2003
- The Seattle Harold, June 17, 2003
- The Seattle Sun, July 23, 2003
- Hall, Emily, The Stranger January 23, 2003
- Hall, Emily The Stranger, vol.11, no.18, pg. 65 January 17, 2002
- Hall, Emily, The Stranger, April 5, 2001
- Ellison, Victor, Seattle Weekly, September 23,1999