Artist Statement
There are two sides of me and my art comes from both sides, There is the Vicki Piper Gerton who is the scientist and there is the Vicki Gerton who is the artist. The scientist part was nurtured from my early training as a microbiologist and medical technologist. As a scientist, I make careful observations of what I see, noting the particular colors, textures and shapes. The artist part of me comes from my natural instincts combined with later art training. As an artist I am concerned with what can become possible. I start out most of my artwork as a scientist by trying to record what I have observed. I have great plans to use my knowledge of chemistry to create the perfect dye reaction for what I wish to accomplish. Somewhere in the middle of this process I turn artist, and the colors, textures and patterns start talking to me in a way that has no words. When this happens in the most perfect way, I enter a place that has no time, no beginning or end. The colors and textures begin to form combinations that tell their own story. To my carefully measured dye formulas I start adding a touch of this and a pinch of that. The artwork seems to take on its own life and the artist and scientist in me combine to do experiments that I had no intention of making. The result is something beyond what I had visions of creating.
Selected Exhibitions
Nature by Design, “Sharon Dahl Award,” Larson Gallery, Yakima, WA 2010.
Session: Textile Art Miniature Exhibition, KCC Gallery, Tokyo, Japan, 2010.
The Disquisition of Wood and Fiber as Art: Ron and Vicki Gerton, Esvelt Gallery, Columbia Basin College, Pasco, WA, 2010.
Annual Regional Juried Art Show. Carnegie Art Center. Walla Walla, WA, 2008.
53rd Annual Central Washington Artists’ Exhibition, Larson Gallery, Yakima, WA, 2008.
Summer Celebration, Allied Arts Gallery, Richland, WA, 2007.
9th Biennial Art to Wear Juried Exhibition, Recognition Award for Excellence, Larson Gallery, Yakima, WA 2007.
Columbia Basin Juried Exhibition, Moses Lake Museum & Art Center, Moses Lake, WA, 2007.
Color Me, Color You, Weavers Conference, Tacoma, WA, “Best of Show Overall Award” in wearable art, 2005.
8th Biennial Art to Wear Exhibition, “Best Use of Color and Texture” award, Larson Gallery, Yakima, WA 2005.
Session: Textile Art Miniature Exhibition, KCC Gallery, Tokyo, Japan, 2010.
The Disquisition of Wood and Fiber as Art: Ron and Vicki Gerton, Esvelt Gallery, Columbia Basin College, Pasco, WA, 2010.
Annual Regional Juried Art Show. Carnegie Art Center. Walla Walla, WA, 2008.
53rd Annual Central Washington Artists’ Exhibition, Larson Gallery, Yakima, WA, 2008.
Summer Celebration, Allied Arts Gallery, Richland, WA, 2007.
9th Biennial Art to Wear Juried Exhibition, Recognition Award for Excellence, Larson Gallery, Yakima, WA 2007.
Columbia Basin Juried Exhibition, Moses Lake Museum & Art Center, Moses Lake, WA, 2007.
Color Me, Color You, Weavers Conference, Tacoma, WA, “Best of Show Overall Award” in wearable art, 2005.
8th Biennial Art to Wear Exhibition, “Best Use of Color and Texture” award, Larson Gallery, Yakima, WA 2005.
Professional Art Experience
Adjunct Art Faculty, surface design classes, Columbia Basin College, Pasco, WA, 1998-2009.
Allied Arts Gallery Children’s Art Classes, Richland, WA; co-director, 2002-2006.
Allied Arts Gallery Children’s Art Classes, Richland, WA; co-director, 2002-2006.
Education/Classes/Workshops
B.S, Microbiology and Medical Technology, Colo. State University, Ft. Collins, CO
Master in Teaching degree, Washington State University, Tri-Cities, WA
Columbia Basin College, Pasco, WA—drawing, design, art history, sculpture, pottery, printmaking, book arts, jewelry
University of Tennessee—surface design (C. Grier), book arts (J. Owen)
Coupeville Arts Center, Coupeville, WA—silk painting (S. Moyer), surface design (Dunnewold)
Gail Harker Creative Studios, Oak Harbor, WA— “Color on Paper and Fabric,” Ruth Issett.
Surface Design Conferences, Kansas City, MO—surface design workshops (C. Lee, J. Dominic)
Master in Teaching degree, Washington State University, Tri-Cities, WA
Columbia Basin College, Pasco, WA—drawing, design, art history, sculpture, pottery, printmaking, book arts, jewelry
University of Tennessee—surface design (C. Grier), book arts (J. Owen)
Coupeville Arts Center, Coupeville, WA—silk painting (S. Moyer), surface design (Dunnewold)
Gail Harker Creative Studios, Oak Harbor, WA— “Color on Paper and Fabric,” Ruth Issett.
Surface Design Conferences, Kansas City, MO—surface design workshops (C. Lee, J. Dominic)