Artist Statement

If I could draw, I’d be a cartoonist. Instead, I use more dimensional materials. Because the components are so critical to the content of my art, I have developed a broad palette which includes fiber, steel, ceramics, wood, precious metals, recycled materials and both conventional and digital photography.
My art is conceptual in that I construct visual representations of thoughts, memories and ideas. These, in turn, derive added meaning from the materials and construction techniques I use. My work is rarely personal in the sense of being introspective, but it is subjective, nearly always evincing a strong point of view. In rare fits of sanctimony, in a quixotic delusion, I point a spear at some imagined or real injustice. During those times–when I realize that I’ve crossed the line from art to therapy–I hurry back to satire. Actually, humor and irony underlie the vast majority of my work. If my art simply makes someone smile – even if they do not go deeper into the underlying motivation for creating the piece – I feel that I have accomplished my purpose. As I said, if I could draw I’d be a cartoonist.
Stuart Wagner, a native of Connecticut, has lived in the Bay Area for all but six years since 1964. He served in the Marine Corps after high school and completed his undergraduate work at The University of Connecticut and his graduate studies at Stanford. His Ph.D. dissertation research took him to Bogotá, Colombia where he lived for a year. Stuart taught Latin American history at the University of Minnesota for five years. He returned to the Bay Area in 1974 to begin an electronics business, which he administered until 1989, when he retired. Stuart became an art student in 1992. He considers himself primarily a 3 dimensional artist who works with a wide variety of materials from steel to digital images.

Partial List of Group Shows

2019
Artelier Gallery, Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA,
– 7th Annual Fleet Week Veterans Art Exhibition
Museum of Northern California Art, Chico, CA, Points of Departure
Marin Museum of Contemporary Art, Novato, CA,
Museum of Northern California Art, Chico, CA, Points of Departure
Marin Museum of Contemporary Art, Novato, CA, Content Matters
2017
Marin Civic Center Gallery, San Rafael, CA, fiber Dimensions at the Marin Civic Center
Community Congregational Church, Tiburon, CA, EDGE Art Group at the CCC
2016
Marin Society of Artists, San Rafael, CA, Outside the Lines
2015
San Francisco Public Library, Main Branch, San Francisco, CA, Quotation Marks
Bank of Marin, San Rafael, CA, Artworks Downtown Benefit Exhibition
Falkirk Cultural Center, San Rafael, CA, EDGE on EDGE
Marin Society of Artists, Ross, CA, Shapes and Edges
2014
Berkeley Art Center, Berkeley, CA Collect!
Napa Valley Library, Napa, CA, Quotation Marks
Marin County Civic Center Galleries, San Rafael, CA, AWD Associate Artists at the Civic Center Roseville Downtown Library. Roseville, CA, Quotation Marks
Martha Riley Community Library, Roseville, CA, Quotation Marks Assemblage Gallery, Art Works Downtown, San Rafael, CA.: Thinking Inside the Box
– An Homage to Louise Nevelson Marin County Fair, Terra Linda, CA, Fine Arts Exhibit
2013
Herbst Pavilion at the Presidio of San Francisco: fiber Dimensions: Intersections 6
Artworks Downtown, San Rafael, CA, Small Works
Artworks Downtown, San Rafael, CA, Midnight in Paris
Mill Valley Library, Mill Valley, CA, Quotation Marks
Artworks Downtown, San Rafael, CA, Transitions
Artworks Downtown, San Rafael, CA, Drawing
ACCI Gallery, Berkeley, CA, National Juried Exhibition
Community Congregational Church, Tiburon, CA, fiber/Dimensions at the CCC
Works Gallery, San Jose CA, Beyond Gaga
2012
Falkirk Cultural Center, San Rafael, CA Falkirk’s 100
Artworks Downtown, San Rafael, CA, Art on the Farm
Chico Art Center Chico, CA, Small World, Small Works
Marin County Fair, Terra Linda, CA, Fine Arts Exhibit
Bekris Gallery, San Francisco, CA, Hats Stand 4 Hope
Marin Society of Artists, Ross, CA, Open Craft and Sculpture Exhibition
ARC Gallery, San Francisco, CA, Consequences
Falkirk Cultural Center, San Rafael, CA, Annual Juried Exhibition
USF School of Law, Equal Justice Society, San Francisco, CA, Hunger Pains
2011
Artworks Downtown, San Rafael, CA, Small Works
STUDIO Gallery, San Francisco, CA, Tiny
Falkirk Cultural Center, San Rafael, CA Falkirk’s 100
Artworks Downtown, San Rafael, CA, Dia de los Muertos: An Exhibit of Altars
ACCI Gallery, Berkeley, CA, Can Do
Falkirk Cultural Center, San Rafael, CA, Bi-Annual Juried Exhibition
Marin Community Foundation, Novato, CA, COLLECTIVES: Unique Artist Groups of Marin
2nd City Council Art Gallery, Long Beach, CA, AMERICA
fiber/Dimensions at 500 Howard, San Francisco, CA
Marin County Fair, Terra Linda, CA, Fine Arts Exhibit
fiber/Dimensions at the Bay Model, Sausalito, CA
fiber/Dimensions at the Blue Line Gallery, Roseville, CA
Falkirk Cultural Center, San Rafael, CA, Re: Value
Marin MOCA, Novato, CA, Artfully Reclaimed
USF School of Law, Equal Justice Society, San Francisco, CA, Fostering Dreams of Equality
Marin Society of Artists, Ross, CA, Open Craft and Sculpture Exhibition
Falkirk Cultural Center, San Rafael, CA, Can Do
2010
Art Works Downtown, Small Works, San Rafael, CA
Marin Arts Gallery, San Rafael, CA, Small Wonders, Large Luxuries
STUDIO Gallery, San Francisco, CA, Tiny
Presidio Officer’s Club Gallery, SF, CA, fiber/Dimensions Intersections 5
Ann Street Gallery, Newburgh, NY, The Green Wave
STUDIO Gallery, San Francisco, CA, Delicious
ACCI Gallery, Berkeley, CA, Fiber 2010
Art at the Cheese Factory, Petaluma, CA: Journeys
Art Works Downtown, San Rafael, CA: Mosaics
USF School of Law, Equal Justice Society, San Francisco, CA: Yearning to Breathe Free
Sanchez Art Center, Pacifica, CA: 1 in 100: America Behind Bars
2009
STUDIO Gallery, San Francisco, CA, Mischief
ACCI Gallery, Berkeley, CA, National Fine Craft Exhibition
Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA, Green Dimensions
Marin Museum of Contemporary Art, Novato, CA, Alchemy
Falkirk Cultural Center Gallery, San Rafael, CA, fiber/Dimensions at Falkirk
Marin Society of Artists, Ross, CA, Open Craft and Sculpture Ehibition
Art Works Downtown, San Rafael, CA, Plexus Art Group, The Prison Project: 1 in 100
2008
Herbst International Exhibition Hall, San Francisco: fiber/Dimensions: Intersections 4
Textile Center, Minneapolis, MN, Freedom: The Fiber of Our Nation
DiRosa Preserve, Napa, CA, Slideslam
Marin Society of Artists, Ross, CA, Open Craft and Sculpture Ehibition
Arts Benicia, Benicia, CA, EDGE
Smith Ranch Gallery, San Rafael, CA, fiber/Dimensions at Smith Ranch
ACCI Gallery, Berkeley, CA, EDGE Art Group at ACCI Gallery
Art Works Downtown, San Rafael, CA, Plexus Art Group, The Prison Project: 1 in 100
2007
Swarm Gallery, Oakland, CA, The Little Show
College of Marin Fine Arts Gallery, Kentfield, CA, The Devil You Know. Solo show
ACCI Gallery, Berkeley, CA, National Fine Craft Exhibition
Richmond Art Center, Richmond, CA, Pacific Rim Sculpture Members Summer Exhibition
Marin Art Festival, San Rafael, CA
Artisans Art Gallery, San Rafael, CA, Mechanized Genius
Community Congregational Church, Tiburon, CA, f/D at the CCC
College of Marin, Kentfield, CA, Hybrid
ACCI Gallery, Berkeley, CA, Recovery: Man over Matter
Marin Society of Artists, Ross, CA, Open Sculpture and Crafts
2006
Atrium Gallery at 600 Townsend, San Francisco, CA, Pacific Rim Sculpture Group : 16 Years
Bay Area Fine Craft, Silver & Gold Art Works Downtown, San Rafael, CA
Online exhibit at www.fiberscene.com. Independent Flags
Atrium Gallery, San Francisco, CA, Pacific Rim Sculpture Group : Objects of Engagement
Herbst International Exhibition Hall, San Francisco: fiber/Dimensions: Intersections III
ACCI Gallery, Berkeley, CA, Remake/Remodel: Rebound. Studies in Transformation
Pence Gallery, Davis, CA, fiber/Dimensions at the Pence
2005
Mill Valley Public Library, Mill Valley, CA, Art for the Fun of It
Alameda Art Center, Alameda, CA, Cornucopia
Democracy for America, Sausalito, CA, The Art of Politics
Belvedere-Tiburon Library, Tiburon, CA, knowlEDGE
Artisans Gallery, Mill Valley, CA Small Works
Marin Society of Artists, Ross, CA, Open Sculpture and Crafts
Marin County Fair, Terra Linda, CA, Fine Arts Exhibit
Sausalito Arts Commission, Sausalito, CA, Ro Sham Bo-Rock–Paper Scissors
600 Townsend, San Francisco, CA, Pacific Rim Sculpture Group, Strange Days
San Francisco Bay Model Gallery, Sausalito, CA, Fiber Dimensions at the Bay Model
Falkirk Cultural Center, San Rafael, CA, Falkirk 2005 Annual Juried Exhibition of Marin Artists
2004
Sanchez Art Center, Pacifica, CA: fiber/Dimensions at Pacifica
Falkirk Cultural Center, San Rafael, CA: Bags & Baggage
Herbst International Exhibition Hall, San Francisco: fiber/Dimensions: Intersections II
Marin Society of Artists, Ross, CA: Third Dimension
2003
Artisans Gallery, Mill Valley: Artisans 2003 National Juried Exhibition
Artisans Gallery, Mill Valley: The Fine Art of Craft
College of Marin, Kentfield: Student Art Show
Marin Society of Artists, Ross: Open Sculpture & Crafts
ten78 Gallery, Chico, CA: Naked
2002
Sight & Insight Gallery, Mill Valley, CA: Phoenix Rising
The Museum of Art and History, Santa Cruz: Refuse/Reuse/Redux
College of Marin, Kentfield: Student Art Show
Herbst Pavilion, San Francisco: fiber Dimensions: Intersections
Marin Society of Artists, Ross: Open Sculpture & Crafts
Downtown Art Works, San Rafael: The Fine Art of Craft
Sight & Insight Gallery, Mill Valley: The Rhythm of Change:
– Artists Responding to an Evolving World
2001
Turtle Bay Museum of Art & History, Redding: Transforming Trash: Bay Area Fiber Art
MeSH Gallery, Sebastopol, CA: Trash: Art from Recycled Materials
Marin Arts Council, San Rafael: Encore Recycling Show, Marin Country Civic Center
Marin Society of Artists, Ross: Open Sculpture & Crafts
College of Marin, Kentfield: Student Art Show
Marin County Fair, Terra Linda: Fine Arts Exhibit
Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sebastopol: A Fine Hand
Belevedere-Tiburon Library, Tiburon: Fiber at the Library
2000
Marin Society of Artists, Ross: Open Sculpture & Crafts
fiber Dimensions at The Marin Technology Center, San Rafael
1999
Downtown Art Center, San Rafael: Fiber as Art
Marin Arts Council, Larkspur: Stretching the Boundaries
Marin Society of Artists, Ross: Open Sculpture & Crafts
Marin County Fair, Terra Linda: San Rafael: Fine Arts Exhibit
Bolinas Museum, Bolinas: Fiber Art
College of Marin, Kentfield: Fiber Dimensions 10th Anniversary Show
Artisans Gallery, Mill Valley: Book Makers: West Coast
Marin Arts Council, Corte Madera: Member’s Exhibition
1998
Marin Society of Artists, Open Sculpture & Crafts
Marin County Fair, Terra Linda: Fine Arts Exhibit
Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sebastopol: Food, Glorious Food
Marin Arts Council Member’s Exhibition
1997
Marin County Fair, Terra Linda: Fine Arts Exhibit
Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sebastopol: Movers & Shakers
Marin Arts Council Experimental Media: Fiber Sculpture
1996
College of Marin, Kentfield: , Student Art Show
Marin County Fair, Terra Linda: Fine Arts Exhibit
1995
College of Marin, Kentfield: , Student Art Show
Marin Society of Artists, Open Sculpture & Crafts
Art in Public Places
College of Marin, Kentfield: , Fine Arts Building, Puzzle Totem
Publications
Richmond Art Center Catalog, Body as Agent: Changing Fashion Art (2015)
Documentary film short, “Mondays at Racine” (2012)
Marin Independent Journal, Lifestyles, September 27, 2012
San Francisco Examiner, October 28, 2012
Marin Independent Journal, Lifestyles, June 16, 2011
Ross Valley Reporter, June 8-June 14, 2011
The Jewish Forward, April 21, 2011
Pacific Sun, January 28 – February 3, 2011
Point Reyes Light, April 8, 2010
West Marin Citizen, April 1, 2010
www.Jweekly.com, January 7, 2010
Pacific Sun. October 31-November 6, 2008
San Francisco Chronicle, Datebook. November 2. 2008
Fort Mason Center Monthly, October, 2008
Marin Independent Journal, Lifestyles, October 4, 2008
Benicia Herald, April 8, 2008
Inside Benicia, March 2008
Times Herald (Solano County, CA), March 21, 2008
Listen & Be Heard Weekly, March 12-19, 2008
Pacific Sun, September 7, 2007
The California Aggie Online, March 14, 2006
Surface Design Journal, Spring 2005
www.edgeartgroup.com (site designer)
Marin Independent Journal, October 28, 2004
Pacific Sun, December 29, 2004
Artweek, October 2004
San Rafael Focus Magazine, Fall 2004
Surface Design Journal, Winter 2002
The Echo Times (College of Marin), May 7, 2001
The Echo Times (College of Marin), October 16, 2000
Ross Valley Reporter, October 13-19, 1999

Gallery Representation

Various & Sundries, San Anselmo, CA
Virginia Breier, San Francisco, CA

Arts Memberships & Service

Juror, Marin Society of Artists, Open Craft and Sculpture Exhibit, 2016
Artist Member, Berkeley Art Center
Associate Artist, Artworks Downtown, San Rafael, CA
Marin Arts Council
Plexus Art Group
Judge, Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival, 2006
American Craft Council
fiber/Dimensions
Edge Art Group
Pacific Rim Sculpture Group
Board of Directors Artisan Gallery, Mill Valley, CA 1994-1998

Web Sites

www.stuartwagner.com
www.fiberdimensions.com
www.plexusartgroup.com
www.edgeartgroup.com
www.fiberscene.com
www.artslant.com
www.turtlebay.org/exhibitions/transforming_trash_exhibition/index.html
www.sanchezartcenter.org/ARCHIVES/2004_FiberArts.html
www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk