Christina Riccio

Originally from Buffalo, NY, but now living and working in Salt Lake City, UT, Christina Riccio recently graduated with her MFA in ceramics at The University of Utah.

Christina creates both sculptural and functional ceramic works. Her work revolves around themes of neuro-divergence; including challenging stigmas related to living and coping with mental illness, specifically anxiety and depression. Utilizing cuteness and humor as an entry point, she takes dark undertones and contrasts them with a light-hearted atmosphere to make difficult discussions regarding mental illness more palatable.

Christina received her B.A. in Visual Arts and New Media from SUNY Fredonia in 2014. After graduating Magna Cum Laude, Christina then went on to study ceramics and art education at Buffalo State College in 2015. During her time at Buffalo State, she received the Sylvia Rosen Award for Excellence in Ceramics and was chosen to participate in the Deans Gallery Invitational Exhibition, showing four pieces from her breakout series Emotional Infection. Christina just finalized her most recent body of work SULKY SENTIMENTS, which was presented in her solo thesis exhibition at the University of Utah in May of 2022.

NY

Professional

As a transplant from Buffalo, NY the Western landscapes of Utah are incredible. The contrast of Southern Utah’s red rocks, against the mountainous landscapes of the Salt Lake Valley are extremely different from the rolling green lakeside landscapes of Western New York. Walking out of my front door every day to a view of the vast mountainous valley brings a sense of wonder to my daily life; encouraging exploration and curiosity. Additionally, I have also found that Salt Lake City’s burgeoning art community is one that encourages building relationships with other artists and creating a source of support that allows for artists to succeed together. In participating in the arts community in Salt Lake over the past two years, I have found other artists to grow, change, and share ideas with. These experiences with other local artists has given me a sense of belonging in Utah that is both inspiring and challenging me to continue to create artwork, and push myself to continually grow as an artist.