Denise Wallace

Born 1957

Chugach Sugpiaq/Alutiiq (Washington)

Medium: Jewelry

Denise Wallace was born in 1957 in Seattle, Washington. Wallace began her studies at the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) and upon graduating opened a studio where her and her husband would sell their collaborative jewelry work based on the imagery and legends of Denise's heritage. She and her husband Samuel made jewelry together from 1982 until his death in April of 2010. Her jewelry has been featured in numerous exhibitions and markets across the country where she has received several accolades over her 37-year jewelry making career. Wallace currently lives and works in Hawaii. Wallace says, "I hope to create pieces that speak to people… pieces that have a life of their own and become part of the world. I have always wanted the pieces to tell a story about our land, our people and some small song or story about the world we live in."