CHRIS FONDI
renegades mixed media art enthusiasts
Chris is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, with a B.S. in Fine Art and Education. Upon graduation, she was apprenticed to the gold smith, G.Benedict, achieving second bench. She has also worked as an exhibits preparator at the Pittsburgh Children's Museum. She is a member of the Pittsburgh Society of Artists and an active member of the Pittsburgh Book Arts Collective. More recently, Chris has devoted her time to exploring mixed media, doll making and altered books. Her proudest accomplishment has been her 30+years in the public school system as an art teacher for multiple grade levels. To continue her love of teaching and art, she works as an instructor at the North Hills Art Center, offers demos, lectures and workshops locally and exhibits regularly throughout the region.
Statement
I make bead encrusted dolls. I call them spirit dolls. They evolved from my interest, ok my fascination with prehistoric representations of the female form as earth mother. I have enshrined them to protect them, but also to empower them as worthy of awe, respect, and worship. They are my little goddesses.