Education and Training

Bachelor of Fine Arts, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Major: Art & Design-Emphasis in Graphic Design, Minor: Dance
Dean’s List 2002-2006, Graduated Magna Cum Laude - 2006

Study Abroad
Art History Study in Southern France - 2003

Modern Dance and Repertoire, Gregg Bielemeier
Conduit Dance, Inc., Portland, OR - 2008-2010

Tap Technique
Private Virtual Lessons with Demi Remick - 2020
Virtual Classes with Hillary-Marie - 2023-2024

Twin Cities Tap Fest, Technique Workshops
2021 - Max Pollock, Jumanee Taylor, Star Dixon; 2020 - Lisa La Touche; 2018 - Star Dixon, Sam Weber, Jason Janas; 2015 - Kaleena Miller, Ellen Keane

Exhibitions

Solo Shows

2023 Pattern Remix - Zeitgeist Arts Café, Duluth, MN

2022 Featured Artist Exhibition - St. Louis Co. Health and Human Services Conference, Duluth, MN

2022 Deep Sea Dances - Great Lakes Aquarium, Duluth, MN
FOX21 Interview | WDIO Interview

2019 Micro-world - Red Mug Coffeehouse and Gallery, Superior, WI

2018 Fungusamongus - Lakeside Gallery, Duluth, MN

2016 Pattern Conspiracy - Duluth Art Institute, Duluth, MN

2010 re-Planted - Highline Community College, Des Moines, WA

Group Shows

2024 Magical Mycology - Kouba Gallery, Minneapolis, MN

2023 Fungus Among Us - Duluth Pottery, Duluth, MN

2022 In The(ir) Element - Duluth Folk School, Duluth, MN

2019 5-Foot Show - Gallery360, Minneapolis, MN

2011-2024 Duluth Art Institute Annual Membership Exhibition - Duluth, MN

Juried Shows

2024 Cooperstown Art Association's National Juried Art Exhibition - Cooperstown, NY
Juried by Thomas Sarrantonio

2016 The 61st Arrowhead Regional Biennial - Duluth Art Institute, Duluth, MN
Juried by Artist Dyani White Hawk

2013 “Water Works” exhibition - Duluth Art Institute, Duluth, MN
Juried by Curator Anne Dugan

2012, 2013 Upper St. Croix Art Exhibition - Solon Springs, WI
Juried by Christina Helsolt

2011 Visual Arts Minnesota’s 11th Annual Essential Art Juried Exhibit and Competition - St. Cloud, MN

2009 Portrait Exhibition - University House, Issaquah, WA

Notable Aquisitions

2023 Essentia Health, Duluth, MN
Original painting purchased for new hospital.
“Lily Pads”, acrylic on canvas | 60” x 48”, 2016

2021 Christine and Dan Stocke, Duluth, MN
Original painting commissioned for private residence
“Neri”, acrylic on canvas | 48” x 60” 2021

Selected Performances

2023-2024 Homegrown Music Festival, Duluth, MN
Choreographed and performed with Zenith City Dance Collective

2019 Choreographer’s Evening - Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN
Performed in “Come go with me” choreographed by Kayla Schiltgen

2019 Enkindle Dance Theater - Sacred Heart Music Center, Duluth, MN
Danced in ensemble, choreographed and performed solo “Sleepwalking”
”The most mesmerizing piece was “Sleepwalking,” performed and choreographed by Naomi Christenson. The piece had my attention from the moment the lights came up. Dressed in slightly over-sized trousers and suspenders, Christenson danced with elegant rhythmic awareness. Her willowy arms had a curved softness to them while still moving through angular symmetries. She had a mathematical precision to her dancing while still maintaining artistry.” - Kelly Sue Coyle, Duluth News Tribune

2018 Wordy Dancing, University of Minnesota-Duluth
Choreography and performance in "Moving Forward" inspired by the poem "Paso Adelante" by Elena Suarez | Watch it now »

Dances on the Lakewalk - Duluth, MN
2021 Performed in “It’s Tappening” by Sarah Reich | Watch it now »
2019 Choreographed and performed “You don’t have to believe me” | Watch it now »
2018 Choreographed and performed "Vanity" | Watch it now »
2017 Choreographed and performed "Into the Ocean" | Watch it now »
Performed in "Sahara Reflections" choreographed by Sarah Cashmore
2016 Choreographed and performed "Swing it" | Watch it now »
Performed in "This moment" choreographed by Erin Tope
2015 Performed in “With Love”, choreographed by Lisa McKhann
2014 Performed in “Winter”, choreographed by Doris Ressl; Performed new choreography by Erin Tope
2013 Performed in “Stop Waiting” choreographed by Doris Ressl; Performed in "Flood” choreographed by Cathy Podezwa

2015 Cornucopia 2015; A lavish feast of local talent - Duluth, MN
Performed "Un-square Dance" choreographed by Ellen Keen | Watch it now »

2012 A Chorus Line, Production by the Duluth Playhouse - Duluth, MN
Performer and co-dance captain

Creative Work (Contract and Employment)

Tap Dance Teacher
218 Dance Project, Duluth, MN | 2022-Present
Norshor Theater, Duluth, MN | 2020-Present

Duluth Playhouse, Duluth, MN | 2023, Mr Burns; A post-electric show
Duluth News Tribune Article

Duluth Playhouse, Duluth, MN | 2022, A Year of Frog and Toad
WDSE Interview on “The Slice”

Graphic Designer
ALLETE Minnesota Power, Duluth, MN | 2/2011–5/2018
Design print marketing materials including brochures, posters, advertisements, signage, bill inserts, social media pieces and newsletters | Create and execute communication plans for different business units | Collaborate with project managers and communication teams to launch public relation campaigns, new products and outreach efforts

Awards & Grants

Arrowhead Regional Arts Council - COVID Grant for Working Artists
2020 $2,000 Awarded

Distinguished Artists Award
2018 Duluth City Council, Duluth, MN

Utility Communicators International Better Communication Design Competition
2017 1st prize for "Best Bill Insert"
2016 1st prize for "Best Bill Insert'; 1st prize for "Best Online Campaign"
2015 1st prize for "Best Direct Mail"; 1st prize for "Best Bill Insert"

Arrowhead Regional Arts Council Quick Start Grant for Artists
2016 $1,000 Awarded

Upper St. Croix Art Exhibition
2013 1st prize for "January Morning" – oil on canvas
2012 Honorable Mention for "Sky 1" – oil on canvas

Nikon’s Best in College Photography Annual Competition
2005 Finalist, photo published in the 2005 Nikon College Photography Publication

Burlington Area Arts Council Scholarship
2002 $500 Awarded

Additional Activities

Scholarship Review Panelist - 2024
Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation

Duluth Dance Co-op - 2019-2020
Launched group, organized schedule and coordinated ongoing training opportunities for local dancers

Art Exhibitor
2014 Park Point Art Fair
2015-2016 Art in Bayfront
2018 RAW Artist Showcase
2015, 2019, 2022 Festival of Trees
2020, 2021 Bailey Builds Popup
2021, 2022 Great Hall Market

Board Member of Lake Superior Association for Talent Development - 2017-2021
Chapter President 2019-2020
Presenter on Design Principles for Non-Designers - February 2023
Presenter on Design Thinking - March 2018

Creative Partner in "Brielle" - 2013-2016
Creating wearable art under private label

Member of Toastmasters International, 2015-2020
2017 International Speech contest - competed and advanced to district level
Vice President of Membership and Public Relations 7/2015-6/2016
Voted "Toastmaster of the Year" 2016
President 7/2016-6/2017

Discussion leader of “Art in Progress; Group Critique”
In partnership with the Duluth Art Institute
9/2011-5/2013

Encaustics Workshop
Taught by Natalie Salminen, Duluth Art Institute – 2012

Duluth Art Institute Member since 2010

CVNaomi Christenson (b. 1984)