Be a worm,

Touch some dirt.

Who I am

As a trans nonbinary ceramic artist in Seattle, I use the human form and chimeric figures to explore the embodied impact of complex trauma. My sculptural work blends flesh and nature to expose fragmented truths about gender, desire, and healing. In contrast, my functional ware employs bright colors to evoke childlike playfulness. Across all forms, clay becomes a language for vulnerability, transformation, and reclamation.

Portrait image of Chess smiling in front of community art show

All I’ve done.

EDUCATION

University of California, Davis - Bachelor of Science, Animal Science

AWARDS & GRANTS

  • Burning Man Global Arts Grant – $1,500 – 2018

  • First Place – Sierra College Student Art Show, Rocklin, CA – 2013

  • First Place – Truckee-Tahoe Student Art Show, Truckee, CA – 2012

Group Exhibitions

  • Seattle Art Fair, Pottery Northwest Community Artist, Seattle, WA – July 2025

  • Digging Deeper, Pottery Northwest, Seattle, WA – Jan–Apr 2025

  • Burning Man Art Installation, Collaborative Ceramics & Multimedia  Project, Black Rock City, NV – Aug 2024

  • Sierra College Student Art Show, Rocklin, CA – First Place – 2013

  • Truckee-Tahoe Sierra College Art Show, Truckee, CA – First Place – 2012

     

Teaching Experience

  • Craft Center – University of California, Davis | Screen Printing on Ceramics Instructor | Sep 2018 – Sep 2019

  •  Davis Art Center – Davis. CA | Wheel Throwing Instructor | Sep 2018 - Dec 2018

Professional Experience

  • Pottery Northwest – Seattle, WA | Studio Monitor, Extra Help | Jun 2024 – Present

  • Craft Center – University of California, Davis | Ceramics Volunteer | Sep 2015 – Sep 2020

  • Circle of Bees, Inc. – Davis, CA | Art Grant Writer | Nov 2017 – Mar 2018

  • Sierra College – Rocklin & Truckee, CA | Ceramics Studio Technician | Jan 2012 – Jun 2015