Virginia Ray has spent most of her life along the California coast including San Diego, Santa Cruz, Marin County, and for the last 4 years, the historic town of Fort Bragg in Mendocino County, steps from Sea Glass Beach. Also, a lover of the nature preserve, Wilbur Hot Springs, where she has been a long time visiting artist. She is in the midst of moving to her newly made Happy Rambler Studio in the neighboring coastal town of Caspar, amongst trees, horses, and a couple of fellow artists!
Statement
Curious and imaginative, I love studying ordinary and mysterious objects found in our everyday life and the natural world. Sharing new ways of seeing through my whimsically meditative assemblage style wall sculptures, prayer flags and interactive public works is one of my lifelong inspirations.
The art of placement, making sense out of seemingly unrelated items is like a game or a puzzle. Through deep observation and play, I've learned how to capture life's magical spark. Enjoy the treasure hunt quality of my art. May you recognize the grace and beauty ever present in ordinary life.
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Statement
Curious and imaginative, I love studying ordinary and mysterious objects found in our everyday life and the natural world. Sharing new ways of seeing through my whimsically meditative assemblage style wall sculptures, prayer flags and interactive public works is one of my lifelong inspirations.
The art of placement, making sense out of seemingly unrelated items is like a game or a puzzle. Through deep observation and play, I've learned how to capture life's magical spark. Enjoy the treasure hunt quality of my art. May you recognize the grace and beauty ever present in ordinary life.
Resume
Solo Exhibitions
2021 Spoonful of Life, Northcoast Artists Gallery, Ft. Bragg, CA.
2020 A New Day, Northcoast Artists Gallery, Ft. Bragg, CA.
2019 Antique Assemblage, Wilbur Hot Springs Nature Preserve, Williams, CA.
2019 A Grateful Life, Northcoast Artists Gallery, Ft. Bragg, CA.
2018 A Curious Life, Mendocino Art Center, Mendocino, CA.
2018 Antique Assemblage, Wilbur Hot Springs Nature Preserve, Williams, CA.
2017 Antique Assemblage, Wilbur Hot Springs Nature Preserve, Williams, CA.
2016 Antique Hardware, Wilbur Hot Springs Nature Preserve, Williams, CA.
2015 New Work, Wilbur Hot Springs Nature Preserve, Williams, CA.
2014 The Phoenix Show, Phoenix Rose, Nevada City, CA.
2014 New Work, Oswald's, Santa Cruz, CA.
2013 Transformative Art, Odonata Winery, Santa Cruz, CA.
2013 Assemblage, The Octagon, MAH, Santa Cruz, CA.
2012 New Work, Wilbur Hot Springs Nature Preserve, Williams, CA.
2011 Buddha Nature Series, Pacific Gallery, Capitola, CA.
2011 New Work, The Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA.
2011 Treasure Chest Series, Santa Cruz Integrative Medicine & Chi Center, CA
2011 Reclaimed Wood, Wilbur Hot Springs Nature Preserve, Williams, CA.
2010 Rustic Luck, Wilbur Hot Springs Nature Preserve, Williams, CA.
2009 Good Luck Series, Wilbur Hot Springs Nature Preserve, Williams, CA.
2009 Healing Show, Kaiser Surgery Clinic, Walnut Creek, CA.
2008 New Work, The Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA.
2008 New Work, Wilbur Hot Springs Nature Preserve, Williams, CA.
2007 New Work, City Hall, Santa Cruz, CA.
2007 Sacred Touchstones, Marin General Hospital, Atrium Gallery, San Rafael, CA.
2006 Sacred Touchstones, Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA.
2006 Sacred Touchstones, Wilbur Hot Springs Health Sanctuary, Williams, CA.
2005 New Work, Wilbur Hot Springs Health Sanctuary, Williams, CA.
2005 Spirit Art, Institute for Health & Healing Library, San Francisco, CA.
2004 Spirit Art, Wilbur Hot Springs Health Sanctuary, Williams, CA.
2002 Healing Art & Prayer Flags, WindHorse Gallery, Grass Valley, CA.
2001 Inspiring Art, Community Congregational Church, Tiburon, CA.
2000 Prayer Flags, Commonweal Healing Research Center, Bolinas, CA.
1999 Scroll/Offerings, Institute for Health & Healing Library, San Francisco, CA.
1998 Prayer Flags, Marin General Hospital, Atrium Gallery, San Rafael, CA.
1998 Sky Prayer Flags, Installation, San Francisco Art Commission, S.F., CA.
1997 Sky Show, Installation, Weintraub Thomas Gallery, Sacramento, CA.
1996 Sky Window, Installation, Downtown Art Center, San Rafael, CA.
1995 Sculptural Hats, Big Art, Sacramento, CA.
1990 Tree Totems, Installation, IDEA Gallery, Sacramento, CA.
1985 The Hair Piece, Installation, Sushi Gallery, San Diego, CA.
1985 Self-Portraits, Wilbur Hot Springs, Williams, CA.
1984 The Spirit House Installation, Mission District, San Francisco, CA.
Selected Group Exhibitions
2017 Wild And Scenic Film Festival, Nevada City, CA.
2016 New Work, LeeAnn Brook Fine Art Gallery, Nevada City, CA.
2016 Encore, SMUD Art Gallery, Sacramento, CA.
2012 Assemblage, Triton Museum of Art, Santa Clara, CA
2010 Water Show, Zagrodnick + Thomas Architects, San Diego, CA.
2010 Manuscripts & Interiors, SC41 Design, Santa Cruz, CA.
2009 Altogether: Collage/Assemblage, Santa Cruz Art League, Santa Cruz, CA.
2009 Assemblage+Collage+Construction, Museum of Art and History, Santa Cruz, CA.
2008 Constructions: Crossing Borders, Carl Cherry Center for the Arts, Carmel, CA.
2007 Holiday Show, The Aftershock Gallery, Olema, CA.
2007 Winter Exhibit, Felix Kulpa Gallery, Santa Cruz, CA
2006 Studio Artists, MichaelAngelo Gallery, Santa Cruz, CA
2004 Gallery Reunion, Commonweal Healing Research Center, Bolinas, CA.
2003 California Works, California State Fair, Sacramento, CA.
2003 The Art of Saving Oaks, Filoli Gardens, Woodside, CA.
2003 Annual Juried Exhibition of Marin Artists, Falkirk Center, San Rafael, CA.
2002 The Art of Saving Oaks, Sausalito Bay Model, Sausalito, CA.
2002 Remembrances, Falkirk Cultural Center, San Rafael, CA.
2001 Holy Art by Human Hands, Salem Art Association, Salem, OR.
2001 Mandalas, Marin General Hospital, Atrium Gallery, San Rafael, CA.
2000 Paper,Scissors , Rock, Installation, San Francisco Art Commission Gallery.
2000 The Millennium Exhibit ,Marin General Hospital, Atrium Gallery, San Rafael.
1999 California Works, California State Fair, Sacramento, CA.
1998 Shrines, Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sebastopol, CA.
1995 Cancer as a Turning Point, Installation, The Phantom Galleries, Sacramento, CA.
1994 The Top of My Head, The Center for Contemporary Art, Sacramento, CA.*
1992 Multi-Cultural Banner Competition, Sacramento State University, CA.
1991 California Works, California State Fair, Sacramento, CA.*
1990 Ginkgo Study, Installation, Judith Weintraub Gallery, Sacramento, CA.
1990 California Works, California State Fair, Sacramento, CA.*
1989 California Works, California State Fair, Sacramento, CA.*
1986 The Hair Piece, Installation, Art Space, Sacramento, CA.
1983 Small Images VIII, Spanish Village Art Center, San Diego, CA.*
1982 Black, White & Color, Two person show, Seneca Falls Gallery, San Diego, CA.
* = Award Received
Awards/ Residencies
2016 Resident Artist, Schooners Landing, Albion River, CA.
2004-2007 Resident Artist, Wilbur Hot Springs, Williams, CA.
1994 New Works Grant, Sacramento Metropolitan Art Commission.
1990 Rising Star Award, IDEA Gallery, Sacramento, CA.
1984 Resident Artist, Wilbur Hot Springs, Williams, CA.
Publications
2019 The Hair Piece & Other Inspirations, artist’s book.
2017 Leaping Clear, Online inspirational journal.
2015 Fall Colors Open Studio, Prospector, Grass Valley, CA.
2013 American Art Collector , Alcove Books, distributed throughout the country.
2013 The God Issue , Inquiring Mind, Buddhist Magazine, Fall issue.
2008 Artists Seek Creative Inspiration, The Carmel Pinecone, Carmel, January 11
2001 Self/No self , Inquiring Mind, Buddhist Magazine, Fall issue.
2001 Activity to Honor Cancer Survivors,The Commercial Appeal,Memphis,TN, June 4
2001 San Rafael Artist, Karen Pierce Gonzalez, San Francisco Chronicle, April 6.
2000 Prayer Flags in Bolinas, Point Reyes Light, Sept. 2.
2000 Art for Healing, Karen Pierce Gonzalez, Marin Independent Journal, Sept. 18.
1998 Prayer Flags, Karen Pierce Gonzalez, Marin Independent Journal, July 4.
1995 The Mad Hatter, Rrose Selevi, About Art, July.
1994 Neighbors, cover photo, The Sacramento Bee, April 14.
1990 An IDEA Show: ‘Tree Totems’, Jennifer Shroyer, West Art, November.
1985 She’s Bald But Her Artworks Are Hirsute, Mark Lugo, San Diego Tribune, July 19.
1982 The Woman As Artist, San Diego Magazine, March.
Collections/Commissions
Wilbur Hot Springs, Health Sanctuary & Nature Preserve, Williams, CA.
The Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA.
The West Clinic Wings, Cancer Center, Memphis, TN.
California Pacific Medical Center, Hospital, San Francisco.
Institute for Health and Healing, Resource Library, San Francisco, CA.
Marin General Hospital, Cancer Center, Greenbrae, CA.
Fairfax Chiropractics, Fairfax, CA.
Many private collections
Teaching
2018 The Alchemy of Assemblage, Mendocino Art Center, 3 day workshop.
2012-2017 Making Magic Art, Santa Cruz & Grass Valley, one day workshops.
2011 Altar Your Joy: Making Personal Altars, Santa Cruz, one day workshop.
2010 Altar Your Joy: Making Personal Altars, The Esalen Institute, 2 day workshop.
2010 Prayer Piece at Cancer as a Turning Point Conference, San Mateo, CA.
800 attendees, sponsored by Healing Journeys.
2009 Assemblage: Making Sacred Touchstones, The Esalen Institute, 5 day workshop.
2008 Making Prayer Flags Workshop, The Esalen Institute, 2 day workshop.
2008 Assemblage: Making Sacred Touchstones, The Esalen Institute, 5 day workshop.
2007 Assemblage: Making Sacred Touchstones, The Esalen Institute, 5 day workshop.
2006 Assemblage: Making Sacred Touchstones,The Esalen Institute, 5 day workshop.
2003 Prayer Sculpture at Cancer As A Turning Point Conference, San Rafael, CA.
1500 attendees, sponsored by Healing Journeys and MGH.
2002 Prayer Piece at Cancer As A Turning Point Conference, Chabot College,Hayward.
1000+ attendees, sponsored by Healing Journeys.
2002 Prayer Flags at Grant Elementary School, Richmond, CA.
2001 Prayer Sculpture at Cancer As A Turning Point Conference, UC Davis, CA.
1200 attendees, sponsored by Healing Journeys.
2001 Prayer Flags at Grant Elementary School, Richmond, CA.
Directed 800 inner city kids in making flags for their school.
2000 Prayer Chain at Cancer As A Turning Point Conference, Stanford University.
1000+ attendees, sponsored by Healing Journeys.
1999 Prayer Flags at Cancer As A Turning Point Conference, San Rafael, CA.
1500 attendees, sponsored by Healing Journeys and MGH.
1999 Prayer Flags for Women with HIV/AIDS Retreat, San Francisco, CA.
Sponsored by Macy’s Living Well Program.
1999 Prayer Flags for Inspiration, Marin General Hospital Cancer Center.
Sponsored by Marin B.R.E.A.S.T. Center.
1998 Art Series for Women with Breast Cancer, Marin General Hospital. Sponsored by Marin B.R.E.A.S.T. Center.
Education
1983 Art Students League, New York, N.Y.
1981 San Diego State University, San Diego, CA. Bachelor of Arts in painting and printmaking.
2021 Spoonful of Life, Northcoast Artists Gallery, Ft. Bragg, CA.
2020 A New Day, Northcoast Artists Gallery, Ft. Bragg, CA.
2019 Antique Assemblage, Wilbur Hot Springs Nature Preserve, Williams, CA.
2019 A Grateful Life, Northcoast Artists Gallery, Ft. Bragg, CA.
2018 A Curious Life, Mendocino Art Center, Mendocino, CA.
2018 Antique Assemblage, Wilbur Hot Springs Nature Preserve, Williams, CA.
2017 Antique Assemblage, Wilbur Hot Springs Nature Preserve, Williams, CA.
2016 Antique Hardware, Wilbur Hot Springs Nature Preserve, Williams, CA.
2015 New Work, Wilbur Hot Springs Nature Preserve, Williams, CA.
2014 The Phoenix Show, Phoenix Rose, Nevada City, CA.
2014 New Work, Oswald's, Santa Cruz, CA.
2013 Transformative Art, Odonata Winery, Santa Cruz, CA.
2013 Assemblage, The Octagon, MAH, Santa Cruz, CA.
2012 New Work, Wilbur Hot Springs Nature Preserve, Williams, CA.
2011 Buddha Nature Series, Pacific Gallery, Capitola, CA.
2011 New Work, The Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA.
2011 Treasure Chest Series, Santa Cruz Integrative Medicine & Chi Center, CA
2011 Reclaimed Wood, Wilbur Hot Springs Nature Preserve, Williams, CA.
2010 Rustic Luck, Wilbur Hot Springs Nature Preserve, Williams, CA.
2009 Good Luck Series, Wilbur Hot Springs Nature Preserve, Williams, CA.
2009 Healing Show, Kaiser Surgery Clinic, Walnut Creek, CA.
2008 New Work, The Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA.
2008 New Work, Wilbur Hot Springs Nature Preserve, Williams, CA.
2007 New Work, City Hall, Santa Cruz, CA.
2007 Sacred Touchstones, Marin General Hospital, Atrium Gallery, San Rafael, CA.
2006 Sacred Touchstones, Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA.
2006 Sacred Touchstones, Wilbur Hot Springs Health Sanctuary, Williams, CA.
2005 New Work, Wilbur Hot Springs Health Sanctuary, Williams, CA.
2005 Spirit Art, Institute for Health & Healing Library, San Francisco, CA.
2004 Spirit Art, Wilbur Hot Springs Health Sanctuary, Williams, CA.
2002 Healing Art & Prayer Flags, WindHorse Gallery, Grass Valley, CA.
2001 Inspiring Art, Community Congregational Church, Tiburon, CA.
2000 Prayer Flags, Commonweal Healing Research Center, Bolinas, CA.
1999 Scroll/Offerings, Institute for Health & Healing Library, San Francisco, CA.
1998 Prayer Flags, Marin General Hospital, Atrium Gallery, San Rafael, CA.
1998 Sky Prayer Flags, Installation, San Francisco Art Commission, S.F., CA.
1997 Sky Show, Installation, Weintraub Thomas Gallery, Sacramento, CA.
1996 Sky Window, Installation, Downtown Art Center, San Rafael, CA.
1995 Sculptural Hats, Big Art, Sacramento, CA.
1990 Tree Totems, Installation, IDEA Gallery, Sacramento, CA.
1985 The Hair Piece, Installation, Sushi Gallery, San Diego, CA.
1985 Self-Portraits, Wilbur Hot Springs, Williams, CA.
1984 The Spirit House Installation, Mission District, San Francisco, CA.
Selected Group Exhibitions
2017 Wild And Scenic Film Festival, Nevada City, CA.
2016 New Work, LeeAnn Brook Fine Art Gallery, Nevada City, CA.
2016 Encore, SMUD Art Gallery, Sacramento, CA.
2012 Assemblage, Triton Museum of Art, Santa Clara, CA
2010 Water Show, Zagrodnick + Thomas Architects, San Diego, CA.
2010 Manuscripts & Interiors, SC41 Design, Santa Cruz, CA.
2009 Altogether: Collage/Assemblage, Santa Cruz Art League, Santa Cruz, CA.
2009 Assemblage+Collage+Construction, Museum of Art and History, Santa Cruz, CA.
2008 Constructions: Crossing Borders, Carl Cherry Center for the Arts, Carmel, CA.
2007 Holiday Show, The Aftershock Gallery, Olema, CA.
2007 Winter Exhibit, Felix Kulpa Gallery, Santa Cruz, CA
2006 Studio Artists, MichaelAngelo Gallery, Santa Cruz, CA
2004 Gallery Reunion, Commonweal Healing Research Center, Bolinas, CA.
2003 California Works, California State Fair, Sacramento, CA.
2003 The Art of Saving Oaks, Filoli Gardens, Woodside, CA.
2003 Annual Juried Exhibition of Marin Artists, Falkirk Center, San Rafael, CA.
2002 The Art of Saving Oaks, Sausalito Bay Model, Sausalito, CA.
2002 Remembrances, Falkirk Cultural Center, San Rafael, CA.
2001 Holy Art by Human Hands, Salem Art Association, Salem, OR.
2001 Mandalas, Marin General Hospital, Atrium Gallery, San Rafael, CA.
2000 Paper,Scissors , Rock, Installation, San Francisco Art Commission Gallery.
2000 The Millennium Exhibit ,Marin General Hospital, Atrium Gallery, San Rafael.
1999 California Works, California State Fair, Sacramento, CA.
1998 Shrines, Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sebastopol, CA.
1995 Cancer as a Turning Point, Installation, The Phantom Galleries, Sacramento, CA.
1994 The Top of My Head, The Center for Contemporary Art, Sacramento, CA.*
1992 Multi-Cultural Banner Competition, Sacramento State University, CA.
1991 California Works, California State Fair, Sacramento, CA.*
1990 Ginkgo Study, Installation, Judith Weintraub Gallery, Sacramento, CA.
1990 California Works, California State Fair, Sacramento, CA.*
1989 California Works, California State Fair, Sacramento, CA.*
1986 The Hair Piece, Installation, Art Space, Sacramento, CA.
1983 Small Images VIII, Spanish Village Art Center, San Diego, CA.*
1982 Black, White & Color, Two person show, Seneca Falls Gallery, San Diego, CA.
* = Award Received
Awards/ Residencies
2016 Resident Artist, Schooners Landing, Albion River, CA.
2004-2007 Resident Artist, Wilbur Hot Springs, Williams, CA.
1994 New Works Grant, Sacramento Metropolitan Art Commission.
1990 Rising Star Award, IDEA Gallery, Sacramento, CA.
1984 Resident Artist, Wilbur Hot Springs, Williams, CA.
Publications
2019 The Hair Piece & Other Inspirations, artist’s book.
2017 Leaping Clear, Online inspirational journal.
2015 Fall Colors Open Studio, Prospector, Grass Valley, CA.
2013 American Art Collector , Alcove Books, distributed throughout the country.
2013 The God Issue , Inquiring Mind, Buddhist Magazine, Fall issue.
2008 Artists Seek Creative Inspiration, The Carmel Pinecone, Carmel, January 11
2001 Self/No self , Inquiring Mind, Buddhist Magazine, Fall issue.
2001 Activity to Honor Cancer Survivors,The Commercial Appeal,Memphis,TN, June 4
2001 San Rafael Artist, Karen Pierce Gonzalez, San Francisco Chronicle, April 6.
2000 Prayer Flags in Bolinas, Point Reyes Light, Sept. 2.
2000 Art for Healing, Karen Pierce Gonzalez, Marin Independent Journal, Sept. 18.
1998 Prayer Flags, Karen Pierce Gonzalez, Marin Independent Journal, July 4.
1995 The Mad Hatter, Rrose Selevi, About Art, July.
1994 Neighbors, cover photo, The Sacramento Bee, April 14.
1990 An IDEA Show: ‘Tree Totems’, Jennifer Shroyer, West Art, November.
1985 She’s Bald But Her Artworks Are Hirsute, Mark Lugo, San Diego Tribune, July 19.
1982 The Woman As Artist, San Diego Magazine, March.
Collections/Commissions
Wilbur Hot Springs, Health Sanctuary & Nature Preserve, Williams, CA.
The Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA.
The West Clinic Wings, Cancer Center, Memphis, TN.
California Pacific Medical Center, Hospital, San Francisco.
Institute for Health and Healing, Resource Library, San Francisco, CA.
Marin General Hospital, Cancer Center, Greenbrae, CA.
Fairfax Chiropractics, Fairfax, CA.
Many private collections
Teaching
2018 The Alchemy of Assemblage, Mendocino Art Center, 3 day workshop.
2012-2017 Making Magic Art, Santa Cruz & Grass Valley, one day workshops.
2011 Altar Your Joy: Making Personal Altars, Santa Cruz, one day workshop.
2010 Altar Your Joy: Making Personal Altars, The Esalen Institute, 2 day workshop.
2010 Prayer Piece at Cancer as a Turning Point Conference, San Mateo, CA.
800 attendees, sponsored by Healing Journeys.
2009 Assemblage: Making Sacred Touchstones, The Esalen Institute, 5 day workshop.
2008 Making Prayer Flags Workshop, The Esalen Institute, 2 day workshop.
2008 Assemblage: Making Sacred Touchstones, The Esalen Institute, 5 day workshop.
2007 Assemblage: Making Sacred Touchstones, The Esalen Institute, 5 day workshop.
2006 Assemblage: Making Sacred Touchstones,The Esalen Institute, 5 day workshop.
2003 Prayer Sculpture at Cancer As A Turning Point Conference, San Rafael, CA.
1500 attendees, sponsored by Healing Journeys and MGH.
2002 Prayer Piece at Cancer As A Turning Point Conference, Chabot College,Hayward.
1000+ attendees, sponsored by Healing Journeys.
2002 Prayer Flags at Grant Elementary School, Richmond, CA.
2001 Prayer Sculpture at Cancer As A Turning Point Conference, UC Davis, CA.
1200 attendees, sponsored by Healing Journeys.
2001 Prayer Flags at Grant Elementary School, Richmond, CA.
Directed 800 inner city kids in making flags for their school.
2000 Prayer Chain at Cancer As A Turning Point Conference, Stanford University.
1000+ attendees, sponsored by Healing Journeys.
1999 Prayer Flags at Cancer As A Turning Point Conference, San Rafael, CA.
1500 attendees, sponsored by Healing Journeys and MGH.
1999 Prayer Flags for Women with HIV/AIDS Retreat, San Francisco, CA.
Sponsored by Macy’s Living Well Program.
1999 Prayer Flags for Inspiration, Marin General Hospital Cancer Center.
Sponsored by Marin B.R.E.A.S.T. Center.
1998 Art Series for Women with Breast Cancer, Marin General Hospital. Sponsored by Marin B.R.E.A.S.T. Center.
Education
1983 Art Students League, New York, N.Y.
1981 San Diego State University, San Diego, CA. Bachelor of Arts in painting and printmaking.