­      Chris Bender Webster is an artist, teacher and activist who takes inspiration from nature and channels that inspiration into creative expressions with glass. In addition to running a successful jewelry business, Chris is an award winning fine artist. Her photographs often feature water and boating scenes with an environmental emphasis. Her large-scale mosaics grace public spaces and private residences. Throughout her 35 years as public school art teacher, and 9 years teaching at Gallery 53, Chris has nurtured students in art classes and beyond, often forming long term mentoring relationships.

​       Beyond being a teacher, artist and business owner, Chris has dedicated endless hours and boundless enthusiasm to making the visual arts an integral part of her community, both as President of Gallery 53, a nonprofit arts organization, and as a volunteer on numerous cultural and economic development committees.