Crista Matteson
Diatom Statement
Diatoms are single-celled, photosynthetic algae that live in houses made of glass. They build an intricately patterned, colorful cell wall around themselves. Diatoms are the only organisms with cell walls composed of silica. These tiny cells, measuring only 2-200 micrometers, produce 20 – 50% of the oxygen on Earth. Diatoms can be found in oceans, freshwater, mudflats, on the surface of aquatic plants, and in the soil.
My initial fascination with diatoms came after making the connection that both the glass I use in my studio and these organisms are made of silica. With further research, I was intrigued by their ornate patterning, variety of colors and shapes, and that they are an important part of our ecosystem.
Diatom Meadow is a term coined by the scientist, Roger Fuller, of Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Fuller is studying the effect climate change is having on the mud flats near Padillia Bay. Since “mudflat” conjures a barren image to the mind, he prefers “Diatom Meadow,” which better describes the multitude of microscopic organisms that make up this vibrant and productive ecosystem.
Diatoms play an important role in keeping the ecosystem in balance. Diatoms not only release oxygen into the atmosphere, but they are also an important food source for many organisms, including native birds and crabs. Without this food source, native species will have to forage elsewhere, causing an imbalance in the estuarine ecosystem. Another vital role of diatoms is that they play a part in controlling erosion. They produce a sugary secretion to attach themselves to the soil as the tides go in and out. This sugary substance also binds the soil together, which helps to control erosion from storms, tides, and waves that enter the estuary.
Fuller has spent several years collecting data from Padilla Bay and has found that the Diatom population is feeding an expanding population of the invasive Japanese Mud Snail. The population of these snails may be as high as 15 billion and is projected to keep increasing. They lack natural predators in this area, and combined with rising ocean temperatures, this appears to create an ideal environment for snail population growth. This invasive species acts like a herd of cows in a meadow. They move through the Diatom Meadow, grazing the diatoms and digesting off the sugary binder that protects the sediment. Like a field overstocked with cows, they mow down the meadow, selectively feeding on the biggest diatoms and exposing the soil to erosion. This may increase erosion around the bay. As the sediment level drops, the sea level is also raising the water level, and both contribute to a shifting habitat.
These silica glass sculptures combine lost wax casting, flame-worked, hot cast, and blown glass. This project was created in my solar-powered studio in Seattle, Washington.
Solo Exhibitions:
2025
Solo Exhibition: Petrichor in the Land of Falling Water
Kirkland Art Center, Kirkland, WA
2021
Refract: The Seattle Glass Experience, Studio Exhibit
Artist’s Studio, Seattle, WA
2016
Can You Smell the Rain?
Shift Gallery, Seattle, WA
2015
Finding Humor in the Dark
Shift Gallery, Seattle, WA
2014
It Just Grew That Way
Shift Gallery, Seattle, WA
2010
Hidden Then Seen
Gallery One, Ellensburg, WA
2009
My Utopia
Phinney Center Gallery, Seattle, WA
Group Exhibitions:
2026
GLASS 54, International Glass Invitational
Habatat Gallery, Royal Oak, MI
2025
Glass Lifeforms, International Exhibition
Pittsburgh Glass Center, Pittsburgh, PA
2024
Northwest Craft 24
Schack Art Center, Everett, WA
Shift at 20, 20th Anniversary Exhibition
Shift Gallery, Seattle, WA
Process
Aljoya, Mercer Island, WA
2023
We Can Handle the Heat, Women in Glass
Seattle Glass Blowing Studio Gallery, Seattle, WA
2022
Forces of Nature
Duncan Mc Clellan Gallery, St. Petersburg, FL
2021
You Are Earth, 6ft. x 11ft wall installation
Amazon Headquarters, Seattle, WA
Shelter, invitational group exhibition
Schack Art Center, Everett, WA
American Craft: We the People, invitational group exhibition
Confluence Gallery, Twisp, WA
Habatat 50th International Anniversary Exhibition
Royal Oak, MI
Altered Environments, invitational group exhibition
Aljoya, Seattle, WA
Refract: The Seattle Glass Experience
Open Studio Tour and Live Demonstrations
Seattle, WA
2020
Kinship
Bender Gallery, Ashville, NC
Habatat Glass 48 International Invitational Glass Exhibition
Habatat Gallery, Royal Oak, MI
Women Artists Making Their Mark
O’Hanlon Art Center, Mill Valley, CA
2019
Habatat Glass 47 International Invitational Glass Exhibition
Habatat Gallery, Royal Oak, MI
Select Work from the Pilchuck Auction
Pilchuck Glass Gallery, Seattle, WA
Pilchuck Masquerade Auction
Museo Annual Garden Show
Museo Gallery, Langley, WA
2018
By Hand, International Fine Craft Competition
Blue Line Arts, Roseville, CA
2017
What Goes Bump in The Night
Vegas Clay Center, Las Vegas, NV
Slash and Burn
Sammamish City Hall Gallery, Sammamish, WA
2016
The Contemporary Figure, Invitational Sculpture Exhibition
Sculpture Northwest, Bellingham, WA
Then and Now
Shift Gallery, Seattle, WA
2015
Juried Art Exhibit
Schack Art Center, Everett, WA
2014
Annual Garden Show
Schack Arts Center, Everett, WA
KAC Artists Juried Exhibition
Kirkland Art Center, Kirkland, WA
2013
Wax Poetic
Nichols Berg Gallery, Chestnut Hill, PN
The CVG Show
Collective Visions Gallery, Bremerton, WA
2012
New Castings in a group exhibit
Vashon Allied Arts Gallery, Vashon, WA
2011
Kent Summer Art Exhibit and Gala
Centennial Center Gallery, Kent, WA
2009
Environmental Art Exhibit
The Gallery at Tacoma College, Tacoma, WA
Steel and Encaustic Sculptures in a group exhibit
Blue Heron Gallery, Vashon, WA
7th Annual Juried Art Exhibit
The Gallery at Tacoma College, Tacoma, WA
