Chrystal Bean graduated summa cum laude from Vermont State University (VTSU), Castleton, in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art, concentrating in sculpture, and a minor in Art History. She began her Master of Fine Arts at VTSU, Johnson, in the summer of 2024. She currently serves as the VTSU Castleton Bank Gallery Coordinator. In the summer of 2024, she completed an internship at the Chaffee Art Center. Additionally, she was a teaching assistant for Introduction to Sculpture in the spring of 2025. She will be an Intern at The MINT, Rutland’s Makerspace, during the summer of 2026.
Current Exhibition:
Exhibition on view: May 9 – July 26, 2026
SVAC, Yester House, Manchester, Vermont
Juried by John Zaso of Hexum Gallery in Montpelier, “Prelude” highlights new and evolving voices within SVAC’s membership, showcasing artists whose emerging practices reflect momentum, experimentation, and creative growth.
Artist Statement
My drive to create art has been constant throughout my life. Over time, I have explored a wide range of media. My interest in sculpture began at the age of nine, when a surprise visit to a foundry exposed me to life-sized maquettes, plaster moulds, and sculptures made from wax, plaster, rubber, and iron. I left that day carrying a bag full of casting wax, a mind full of inspiration, and a deep sense of aspiration in the arts.
I create sculptures, sculptural paintings, drawings, and paintings. My work delves into scientific concepts, mental health issues, trauma and healing, and the depth of the human experience. Through my artwork, I express moods and psychological states, conveying my ideas abstractly through form, texture, and color. I refuse to limit my creative expression, and I follow new inspiration as it comes.
I frequently look for ways to blur the lines between painting and sculpture. Many of my creations are produced using mixed media, incorporating both conventional and unconventional art materials. Sometimes, I use recyclable materials in my pieces. I have integrated light into some of my sculptures. When conceptualizing a piece, I consider which medium will best convey the idea behind the work. Each medium communicates something unique through the finished artwork. In this way, every piece has its own voice.
Art by Chrystal Bean 