Crystal Stokowski is a mother, ocean enthusiast, and autodidactic multidisciplinary artist who primarily works with second hand, upcycled, & found materials. She expresses in a variety of media including print making, quilting, woodwork, pyrography, clay, painting, herbalism, video, social engagement, sign making, pocket sized zines, writing astrology, & large scale mixed media installations. Motherhood, social and environmental injustices, and the experiences felt within those realms, inform her work.
Stokowski spent over a decade working and touring with the band Modest Mouse. She has also spent a number of years playing and touring with her own musical projects including M-ax Noi Mach, Lil' Crissy, Summer Jam Band, and Black Black. Crystal has also co-founded TPAIRR, an Artist in Residence program at her home located in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Which gives artists & the like, a place for connection, reflection, & inspiration. Stokowski has also started a monthly Surf Film Night in her community highlighting local filmmakers and films that convey solutions to climate change and injustices in mainstream surf culture.
Crystal has exhibited her work extensively from 96 Gillespie in London to Galleria Candela in San Juan, Puerto Rico to multiple galleries and venues in New York City, Honolulu, Philadelphia, Boston, San Francisco, and Chicago. She has given talks & workshops at MOMA NYC, ICA Philadelphia, Clocktower Gallery NYC, and Siren Arts Asbury Park. Stokowski was selected for three Artist Residencies funded by The Andy Warhol Foundation & The NEA in 2013, 2014, and 2017. She is also part of an outdoor permanent installation in Camden, New Jersey & a permanent group exhibition in the Philadelphia International Airport. Crystal has taught classes in pyrography and upcyled quilting at Fleisher Art Memorial, Folklore Philadelphia, Maas Building, and the Rehoboth Art League. Stokowski has had a variety of work published in several Artistic Publications such as Sea Together Magazine, Coastal Style Delmarva, Ready Made, Foam Symmetry, Awkhold, and a number of installation books through Space 1026.
exhibitions, etc // social media
stokowskicrystal@gmail.com
I spent the last 4 years contacting DNREC & DSP about hazardous debris in the water and on the beach at the Northside of Indian River Inlet in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Finally, in 2023, DNREC heard my plea and agreed to work together in remediating this popular surf break. I coordinated the volunteers, clean up times around low tide to avoid the high water line, and community business and local non profit support. This video was made for the volunteer appreciation party I funded and organized to show my gratitude for our community coming together. Unfortunately, even after 150 tons removed, there is still more debris out there. With this complex area most of the debris gets covered back up from November until May. With our annual Mother's Day Nor'easter we most likely will see the debris resurface from the erosion and continue these clean up efforts.