About
Chris is an experienced woodworker and fine artist. His journey as a craftsman began in California in 1992 and grew into a career as an artist/furniture maker, teacher, prototype designer for Williams Sonoma, and more recently a renowned bamboo fly rod maker. Chris lives in Bozeman, Montana with his wife Kristi and two daughters. Chris continues to create unique functional art and modern handcrafted custom furniture in his studio in Gallatin Valley.
A master woodworker and artist who crafts pieces that tell intimate stories, Chris’ creations evoke our connection to nature and each other, transforming raw materials into functional art that resonates with narrative depth.
Chris's work has been shown in galleries and museums across the United States, as well as featured in books and magazines such as American Craft.
In addition to custom furniture and art pieces, Chris is internationally renowned as a bamboo fly rod maker. His skill and dedication have garnered recognition on a global scale, with collectors and enthusiasts seeking out his fly rods for their exceptional quality and action.
Work Experience
RELATED EXPERIENCE Vance Cane Rods — Owner & Maker 2011-Present Vendor/Prototype developer — Furniture and accessories, Williams Sonoma and Pottery Barn, San Francisco, CA 2002-2011 Teacher—Furniture design and construction, California College of Art, San Francisco, CA, 2003 Teacher—Furniture design and construction, Laney College, Oakland, CA, 2003 Guest Lecturer—Kendall College of Art and Design, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2002 Guest Lecturer—California College of Arts and Crafts, San Francisco, California, 2002 Guest Lecturer—San Diego State University, San Diego, California, 2001 Teaching assistant—Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Deer Island Maine, Summer 1999 Pokensniff Studio—founder of cooperative woodworking and art studio, 1998 – present, Alameda, California Panelist / Presenter—”Next Generation” furniture panel. Furniture Society Symposium, San Francisco, California, 1998 Teacher of Design and Color 101—San Diego State University, Spring 1997, Fall 1997. Graduate Assistant —Wendy Maruyama – Furniture Maker/Department Head – SDSU Furniture Design Program, San Diego, California, Fall 1995. Apprentice—Garry Knox Bennett – Furniture Maker, Oakland, California, Spring 1992 – Spring 1995. Teaching Assistant —Kimberly Kelzer – Furniture Maker, Penland School of Crafts, Penland, North Carolina, Fall 1993.
WORK EXHIBITED 2009-Present — Reform Gallery, Los Angeles, CA 2010 — Contemporary California Craft, Richmond Arts Center, Richmond, CA 2003 – Craft and Folk Art Museum, San Francisco California 2002 – Craft and Folk Art Museum, “Craft Showcase #3”, San Francisco, California 2002 – Kendal College of Art and Design, “Fine Art Furniture”, Grand Rapids, Michigan 2002 – Elvehjem Museum of Art – “Contemporary Studio Cabinetry: The Inside Story”, Madison, Wisconsin 2002 – Tercera Gallery, Palo Alto, California 2002 – California Design 2002, Contract Design Center, San Francisco, California 2002 – Tercera Gallery, San Francisco, California 2000 – San Francisco Craft and Folk Art Museum, San Francisco, California 1999 – California Design 2000, Contract Design Center, San Francisco, California 1998 – Form with Function: Contemporary Furniture Design, Southwestern College, San Diego, California 1998 – Furniture Redefined – Oceanside Museum of Art, Oceanside, California 1998 – Step: MFA Thesis Show – San Diego, California 1997 – 1998 – Society of Arts and Crafts, Boston, Massachusetts 1996 – 1997 Simay Space Gallery, San Diego California 1993 – 1995 Works Gallery, Sonoma, California 1994 – Contract Design Center Show, Contract Design Center, San Francisco, California 1993 – Overtime Show, Hills Plaza, San Francisco, California 1993 – Clyde Street Show, Second Street, San Francisco, California WORK PUBLISHED 2004: 400 Wood Boxes-The Fine Art of Containment & Concealment, published by Lark Books, 2004 2002: American Craft Magazine, October/November issue 2003: Woodwork Magazine, January 2003 issue 2002: Woodwork Magazine, August 2002 issue 2002: Contemporary Studio Case Furniture: The Inside Story, book published on the occasion of the exhibition of the work in the Elvehjem Museum of Art in Madison Wisconsin 1999: Furniture Studio – The Heart of the Functional Arts, A publication of the Furniture Society 1996: Design Book Seven (Fine Woodworking), two entries
Education
San Diego State University, San Diego, California
MFA in Furniture Design Program headed by Wendy Maruyama
California College of Arts and Crafts, Oakland, California
Wood/Furniture Program, Spring 1992, Spring 1993
Ithaca College, Ithaca, New York
Bachelor of Arts, December 1989
