V I R G I N I A . R A Y . inspiring art
  • Home
  • Events
  • Galleries
    • Grateful Series
    • More Gratefuls
    • Vintage Evolution
    • Phoenix Art
    • Nostalgia
    • Magic Boxes
    • Reclaimed Wood
    • Buddha Series
    • Rustic Luck
  • Commissions
  • Workshops
  • About
  • Contact
Virginia Ray has spent most of her life along the California coast including San Diego, Santa Cruz, Marin County, and for the last 6 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. 

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 
2022   Walking with Wonder, Northcoast Artists Gallery, Ft. Bragg, CA.

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.

Home

Events

Galleries

About

Contact