Fiber Arts by Chelsea Sanford

About Chelsea

Chelsea Sanford is a born and raised Oregonian. She currently lives in Central Oregon with her lovely wife and their 3 amazing fur babies.

The artist has been using fibers through creation since she was 6 years old taught by her grandmother. Her passion for embroidery and hand quilting took a turn for the serious during 2019. Her work evolved from small pieces to large and larger pieces. All of her pieces are quilted entirely by hand and she strives to use reused fabric to curb the fiber waste in the world. She allows the fabric to speak to her and uses what she has in her stash. Many of her pieces shed light on her ongoing battle with mental health, her proud queer identity, social justice issues and her ties to the communities she is a part of. Her art is a reflection of who she is to the fullest.

Chelsea posing with, “…and how do you feel about that?!”

Photo by: Stacey Graham

My Fibery Origin Story

Click the image below to read all 7 parts of my fiber artist origin story and learn how several important life events gave me the fibery foundation to my creative practice today.

CV

Publications

Exhibitions

  • 2025, “The Art That Heals Us,” UUFCO, Bend, OR
  • 2024, Outdoor Sisters Quilt Show, July 12-14th
  • 2023, “Around Oregon Biennial”, The Arts Center, Corvallis, OR
  • 2023, “Summer Pride Community Gallery”, The Q Center/Portland Pride, Portland, OR
  • 2023, “Contours: A Personal Journey”, Open Space, Bend, OR
  • 2023, “The Future is Genderless”, Pinckney Gallery, Bend, OR
  • 2023, “Literally Inspired”, Gal’s Guide Library, Noblesvillw, Indiana
  • 2022, “Emotions”, Online
  • 2022, “Book of Arts: Emotions publication”
  • 2022, “Big Pride, Small Art.” Radius Art Studio, Portland, OR
  • 2022, “Boosting the Signal: Women’s History in Art”, Gal’s Guide Library, Noblesville, Indiana
  • 2022, “Community Cloth Quilt”, Center for the Arts Eagle Rock, Los Angeles, CA

Highlighted work