Artist Statement

My artistic journey is fueled by a desire to explore and understand nature’s mysteries and wisdom. A penchant for haiku poetry also influences my work. My process starts by creating spontaneous, mixed-media surfaces. Then I try to excavate the elusive and symbolic meanings of apparently random marks, shapes, and gestural renderings.

I enjoy “making sense of nonsense,” trying to find meaning in haphazard beginnings. This process stretches my mind, pulls me into a discovery mode. I like the intellectual aspect of this part of the process. Ultimately, my work succeeds when I am able to integrate free experimentation and deep personal expression. I love the idea that a finished piece is like a haiku poem, an elegant visual metaphor for a profound truth.

Artistic Background

• Centrum Visual Art Residency Program, Port Townsend, WA, 2018 – 2019.
• Gage Academy of Art, Seattle, WA, 2010, 2014.
• La Conner/Dakota Art Workshops, La Conner and Mt. Vernon, WA, 2005 – 2016.
• Pratt Fine Arts Center, Seattle, WA, 2005, 2009.
• Intensive Studies Seminar, Taos, NM, 2008.
• Coupeville Arts Center, Coupeville, WA, 1999 – 2005.

Art studies include classes and workshops with numerous regionally and nationally-known artists, including Kathleen Brennan, Katherine Chang-Liu, Pat Dews, Charles Emerson, Fran Larsen, Skip Lawrence, Carol Merrick, Alex Powers, Julia Ricketts, Pat San Soucie, Christopher Schink, Kimberly Trowbridge, and Peggy Zehring.

Education and Employment

• Ph.D.     1974   University of California, School of Social Welfare, Berkeley, California.
• M.S.W.   1971    University of California, School of Social Welfare, Berkeley, California.
• B.A.        1968   San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California, Social Welfare.
• 1973—2003     Professor, School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle.

Solo Exhibitions

• “Honoring Peace,” Montserrat Contemporary Art Gallery, New York, NY, February 2023.
• “Burned Canvas,” Montserrat Contemporary Art Gallery, New York, NY, 2022.
• “Off the Wall,” Montserrat Contemporary Art Gallery, New York, NY, 2021.
• Orcas Island Center for the Arts, Eastsound, WA. 2018.
• Mezzanine Gallery, UW Tower, Seattle, WA, 2016.
• Sanctuary and Gilmartin Galleries, UUC, Seattle, WA, 2015.
• Redmond Public Library, Redmond, WA, 2013.
• Kirkland Public Library, Kirkland, WA, 2013.
• ArtsNow, Edmonds, WA, 2011-2012.
• Fremont Jewelry Design, Seattle, WA 2010.
• Festivities, Edmonds, WA 2010.
• Dolce la Belle, Edmonds,WA 2008-2009.
• Marni Muir Gallery, Seattle, WA 2008.
• Fremont Jewelry Design, Seattle,WA 2006.
• Sanctuary Gallery at University Unitarian Church, Seattle, WA 2003-2004.
• Orcas Center, Orcas Island, WA 2003.
• On the Edge Fine Art Gallery, La Conner, WA 2003.

Juried Group Exhibitions

• "Passage of Life: Aging 2024." Biafarin Online Exhibition, Canada, 2024.
• "Ghost Shadows," Shock Boxx Gallery, Hermosa Beach, CA. 2023.
• "ABSTRACT Expressions 2023," Red Bluff Art Gallery, online gallery
• "Ghost Shadows," Shock Boxx Gallery, Hermosa Beach, CA. 2023.
• "Amazing Space," Rhode Island Watercolor Society Gallery, Pawtucket, Rhode Island, 2023.
• "Fresh Perspectives," Cordata Gallery, Bellingham, WA, 2023.
• "50 and Over 2023," online exhibition, Las Laguna Art Gallery, California, 2023.
• "National Association of Women Artists – 134th Annual Members’ Exhibition," One Art Space, New York, NY. 2023.
• "Expressions 2023," Marin Society of Artists, San Rafael, CA. 2023.
• "From Landscapes to Mindscapes," online exhibition, NAWA, New York, NY, 2023.
• "All Abstract 2023," 311 Gallery, Raleigh, NC, 2023.
• "Merged," D’Art Center, Norfolk, Virginia, 2023.
• "Reflection," WPW Juried 90th Anniversary Show, Women Painters of Washington Gallery, Seattle, WA, 2021.
• "The Legacy Continues: Empowering Women," Wenatchee Valley Museum, Wenatchee, WA 2020-2021.
• "Present Tense," Marzke Fine Art Gallery and Sculpture Park, Camano Island, WA. 2020.
• "Fusion," Gallery in the Park, Richland, WA. 2018.
• "Women Artists Coast to Coast-East," Prince Street Gallery, New York, NY, 2017.
• "The 2017 Annual Washington State Juried Art Competition," Collective Visions Gallery, Bremerton, WA 2017.
• "Shelter, "Harlem School of the Arts, New York, NY, 2016-2017.
• "Women Artists Coast to Coast West, "Washington State Convention Ctr. 2016-2017.
• "35 Live: CoCA Members’ Show." CoCA PS35 Gallery, Seattle, WA, 2016.
• "National Association of Women Artists - 125th Anniversary Annual Members’ Exhibition," The Sylvia Wald & Po Kim Art Gallery, New York, NY 2014.
• "2014 KAC Artists’ Exhibition," Kirkland Arts Center, Kirkland, WA 2014.
• "Ev(e)olution IV: Envision Perseverance," National Association of Women Artists, New York Public Library, New York, NY 2014.
• "2013 Northwest Fine Arts Competition," Phinney Center Gallery, Seattle, WA 2013.
• "Trees in Art," Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection, Federal Way, WA, 2013.
• "Celebration! A Traveling Exhibition," Schack Art Center, Everett; Women Painters of Washington Gallery, Seattle; Childhood’s End Gallery, Olympia; Northwind Arts Center, Port Townsend; Clymer Museum, Ellensberg, WA, 2012 – 2013.
• "Icon," Hanson Scott Gallery, Seattle, WA 2012.
• "Unfiltered," Evergreen Association of Fine Arts Gallery, Seattle, WA, 2012.
• "Peninsula Art League 10th Annual Art Show," Gig Harbor Civic Center, WA 2012.
• "EAFA Open Juried Abstract Show," Evergreen Association of Fine Arts Gallery, Seattle Design Center, WA, 2012.
• “Honoring Trees,“The Elisabeth C. Miller Library, University of Washington Botanic Gardens,
  Center for Urban Horticulture, Seattle, WA, 2011.
• “EAFA 2011 Member Show,”Evergreen Association of Fine Arts Gallery, Seattle, WA, 2011.
• “Unveiling Climate Change,” Washington Department of Ecology Headquarters, Lacey, WA, 2011.
• “2011 EAFA Juried Abstract Show,” Evergreen Association of Fine Arts Gallery, Seattle Design Center, WA, 2011.
• “The Forest for the Trees,” Washington Department of Ecology Headquarters, Lacey, WA, 2010.
• “New Directions,” Skagit Artists Together , The Depot Arts Center, Anacortes, WA, 2010.
• “A Room Full of Sisters,” C Art Gallery, Seattle, WA, 2010.
• “Contemporary Art Juried Show,” Parklane Gallery, Kirkland, WA, 2010.
• Eastside Association of Fine Arts, 34th Annual Juried Exhibition, Bellevue, WA, 2009.
• “Passion for the Cure,” C Art Gallery, Seattle, WA, 2009.
• LiveARTS Bothell, Bothell, WA, 2008, 2009.
• Seattle Co-Arts Annual Juried Exhibition, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009.
• Columbia Tower Club, Columbia Center, Seattle, WA, November 2008 - April 2009.
• Parklane Gallery First Annual Juried Exhibition, Parklane Gallery, Kirkland, WA, 2008.
• The West Coast Paper Art Exhibition, Kirsten Gallery, Seattle, WA, 2008.
• Women Painters of Washington Autumn Exhibition, Mercer Island, WA, 2008.
• Northwest Collage Society, Summer Exhibit, Ballard, WA, 2008.
• Edmonds Arts Festival, Edmonds, WA, 2007, 2008, 2010.
• “Orange Crush,” Lynnwood Arts Commission Art Gallery, Lynnwood, WA, 2007.
• Skagit Artists Together, 2007 Studio Tour, LaConner, WA, 2007.
• Solovei Art Gallery, Everett, WA, 2007.
• Skagit Artists Together, La Conner,WA 2005; Anacortes,WA, 2007.
• “On Wing,” Puget Sound Bird Fest, Edmonds Conference Center, WA, 2007.
• Blue Heron Gallery (3-person show), Vashon, WA, 2007.
• North Seattle Community College Gallery, Seattle, WA, 2006.
• Kenmore Art Show , Seattle, WA, 2005.
• Phinney Center Gallery, Seattle, WA, 2002.

Non Juried Group Exhibitions

• “Trees in Art,” Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection, Federal Way, WA, 2013.
• “Honoring Trees,” The Elisabeth C. Miller Library, University of Washington Botanic Gardens, Center for Urban Horticulture, Seattle, WA, 2011.
• “Unveiling Climate Change,” Washington Department of Ecology Headquarters, Lacey, WA, 2011.
• “The Forest for the Trees,” Washington Department of Ecology Headquarters, Lacey, WA, 2010
• Columbia Tower Club, Columbia Center, Seattle, WA. 2009.
• Blue Heron Gallery (3-person show), Vashon, WA, 2007.
• Skagit Artists Together, 2007 Studio Tour, La Conner, WA, 2007.
• Solovei Art Gallery, Everett, WA, 2007

Galleries

• "Innovations," Women Painters of Washington Gallery, Seattle, WA. 2020 - 2021
• "Northwest Perspectives," San Francisco Women Artists Gallery, San Francisco, CA, 2018.
• "Play of Light," Matzke Fine Art Gallery and Sculpture Park, Camano Island, WA, 2018.
• "Seattle Women Artists," San Francisco Women Artists Gallery, San Francisco, CA, 2018.
• "Inner Idea Artists," Cottonwood Center for the Arts, Colorado Springs, CO, 2018.
• "SEASONS," Childhood’s End Gallery, Olympia, WA, 2017.
• "Wild About Trees" with Trees in Art, The Gallery at Grace, Bainbridge Island, WA, 2015.
• Women Painters of Washington Summer Exhibition, Scott Milo Gallery, Anacortes, WA 2015.
• “Visual Voices,” Women Painters of Washington, Larson Gallery, Yakima, WA, 2015.
• "125th Anniversary Annual Members’ Exhibition,"National Association of Women Artists, The Sylvia Wald & Po Kim Gallery, New York, NY, 2014.
• "The International Celtic Festival 2014," The LaVeta School of the Arts, LaVeta, CO, 2014.
• "Out There," East Shore Gallery, Bellevue, WA, 2014.
• Montserrat Contemporary Art Gallery, New York, NY, 2010-2011, 2013, 2021, 2022, 2023.
• Women Painters of Washington Gallery, Seattle, WA, 2008-2018.
• "Trees in Art," Northwind Arts Center Gallery, Port Townsend, WA, 2013.
• Women Painters of Washington Summer Exhibition, Scott Milo Gallery, Anacortes, WA 2012.
• "Tribute to Trees," The Commons Gallery, Sammamish City Hall, Sammamish, WA, 2011-2012.
• Women Painters of Washington Autumn Exhibition, Mercer Island Gallery, WA, 2011.
• "Celebrating Trees," The Gallery at Grace, Bainbridge Island, WA, 2011.
• Gallery North, Edmonds, WA, 2006, 2007 (featured artist), 2008 (featured artist), 2011.
• Kindred Circle Art Gallery (featured artist), Edmonds, WA, 2006.
• Isle of Art, Langley, WA, 2005.
• On the Edge Fine Art Gallery, La Conner, WA, 2005.
• Northwest Style, Seattle, WA, 2003-2004.

Exhibitions in Community Venues

• "Magic of Hope Benefit," American Parkinson Disease Association, Seattle,2023.
• Era Living, Juried Exhibition for University House Issaquah, WA, February – June, 2019.
• Pacific Regent Tower I Condominium Association, Bellevue, WA, 2017-2018.
• Women’s Health Care Center, Univ. of Washington Medical Center – Roosevelt, Seattle, WA, 2017-2018.
• U Frame It, Seattle, WA, 2014-2015.
• Polaris Consultancy, Inc., Bellevue, WA, December 2013 – February 2014.

Honors

• “Facing West” selected for cover image for Looking Always by Roger Roffman. All Things that Matter Press, Maine, 2021.
• "Turbulence" selected for cover image of e-book edition of "Alien Bootlegger and Other Stories" by Rebecca Ore. Aqueduct Press: Seattle, WA, 2014.
• "Glacial Pool," "Migration," and "Interspace" selected for cover images of e-book editions of "Alien Trilogy" by Rebecca Ore. Aqueduct Press: Seattle, WA, 2012.
• Gage Academy Award, EAFA 2011 Member Show, Eastside Association of Fine Arts Gallery, Seattle, WA, 2011.
• Savoir-Faire Acrylic Award, Contemporary Art Juried Show, Parklane Gallery, Kirkland, WA, 2010.
• Northwest Collage Society Painting Award, Summer Exhibit, Ballard, WA, 2008.
• Painting of the Month, Second Place Award, Seattle Co-Arts, January, 2006.
• Guest Artist, Sunny Arms Artist Cooperative, Seattle, WA, 2004.
• “Gate to Red Mountain” selected for 2004 National Association of Social Workers Annual Auction.
• Featured Artist, University of Washington/School of Social Work holiday card, 2004.

Publications

• "Artist of the Week: Cheryl A. Richey." National Association of Women Artists Newsletter, July 12, 2023. www.theNAWA.org.
• "Homeless Women Inspire Local Artist." Elizabeth Gregory Home, June 27, 2018. www.eghseattle.org.
• "Cheryl Richey: Seattle."The Paper Earth Project: Artist Interviews, August 24, 2017. www.paperearth.org.
• "All about Inner Idea Artists," Examiner.com. March 17, 2016.
• 35 Live: 2016 CoCA Members’ Show.Center on Contemporary Art, Seattle, WA, 2016, pp.80.
• “UW professor emeritus Cheryl Richey shows abstract art in solo exhibit,” UW Today. University of Washington, Seattle, October 2, 2015. www.washington.edu/news/blog/uw-professor-emeritus-cheryl-richey-shows-abstract-art-in-solo-exhibit/
• Visual Voices: Women Painters of Washington. Yakima Valley Community College, Yakima, WA, 2015, pp.48-49.
• "Peggy Zehring and her ‘Inner Idea’ Group are Featured in Two New Exhibitions in Chelsea," Gallery & Studio, Vol.16, No.2 (Nov/Dec 2013-Jan 2014); pp. 6, 7, 24.
• "Inner Idea Artists: Inside Out," Arte News: Publishing Magazine. New York, Winter 2013, pp.5-9.
• "Cheryl Richey Featured Artist," The Cascadia Subduction Zone: A Literary Quarterly, April 2013, Vol.3, No.2, pp. 20 – 22. Seattle, WA. www.thecsz.com.
• "Celebrating Trees weaves art forms," Bainbridge Island Review, August, 2011.
• "Cheryl A. Richey," Best of the Best. Kennedy Publishing: Williamsburg, Virginia, 2012.
• “Cheryl A. Richey, ” Best of Worldwide Mixed Media Artists Volume I. Kennedy Publishing: Williamsburg, Virginia, 2010, pp,133-134.
• “From academic to artist: Richey retires to new career,” University Week: Arts & Entertainment. University of Washington, Seattle, October 30, 2008.
• “Cheryl A. Richey: Beyond the Surface,” The Savvy Collector’s Preview Guide to Upcoming Shows/Washington. American Art Collector, August, 2008.
• “Art Takes Flight,” Pilchuck Audubon Profile, January, 2008.
• “Visual Arts,” Island View, January, 2007.
• “Heron’s Birds…on View Through January,” The Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber, January 2007.
• “Kindred features ‘Circles of Light’,” Edmonds Beacon, March 16, 2006.

Professional Affiliations

• Center on Contemporary Art, Seattle, WA, 2015 – present.
• National Association of Women Artists, Inc. (juried), NYC, NY, 2013 – present.
• Women Painters of Washington (juried) member, 2008– present

Gallery Representation

• Women Painters of Washington Gallery, Columbia Center Building, Seattle, Washington, www.womenpainters.com.
• Montserrat Contemporary Art Gallery, New York, NY, www.montserratgallery.com.