Born into a family of artists from New Orleans, Charles H. Trapolin is a visual and performance artist whose work has been seen at the Oakland Museum, the San Jose Museum of Contemporary Art, SOMAR, and the Jon Sims Center for the Arts. His work is in the permanent collection of the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand. Following the creation of the maze at Burning Man at Black Rock City, Nevada, in 2000, he was commissioned to create a 300' mural and installations for the Maze of Reflection in 2001. More recently, his work was selected for Sculpture by the Sea in Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia.

As a professional dancer, he was a member of the highly acclaimed dance company, ODC/SF, performing throughout the United States. Since 2002, he has been a partner in Teatro ZinZanni. His awards and accreditations include nominations for the Isadora Duncan Dance Award (1998) and a SECA Award at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art in 2002. He received an MFA with Honors from John F. Kennedy University in 2000.

Having studied with the Foundation for Shamanic Studies since the mid-nineties, he has been trained in a wide range of Shamanic Healing and Divination techniques and has recently completed the Foundations' three year program in Advance Shamanism and Shamanic Healing. His studies in shamanism and other spiritual traditions have been central to his work as an artist.

Career Highlights

2010
"Artist Interruptus", Solo Show of Sculptures/Paintings, New Orleans

2009
Permanenct collection of Waitakaruru Arboretum and Sculpture Park, New Zealand

2008
Set Design Commission for Zaccho Dance Theatre
"Dismemberer and Other Work", Solo Show of Sculptures/Paintings, San Francisco, CA

2007
"My Secret Worl", Solo Show of Sculptures, San Francisco, CA
"Symbol Paintings" Solo Show of Paintings, San Francisco, CA

2005
Artwork accepted for Sculpture by the Sea, Sydney Australia

2003
Artwork accepted into the permanent collection of the U.S. Embassy, Bangkok, Thailand

2002
Nominated for 2002 SECA Award at SF Museum of Modern Art
Partner in Teatro ZinZanni – Cirque, Cabaret, Dinner, Theatre
Developed Branding and Art Directed Advertising Campaign for Teatro ZinZanni

2001
Grant from Burning Man for the Maze of Reflection (300’ Mural Design and Execution, Art Direction and Curation)

2000
Master of Fine Arts in Arts and Consciousness (with Honors), John F. Kennedy University
Outstanding Student from the Graduate School for Holistic Studies
Create Exterior Mural and Interior Installations for the Head Trip Maze at Burning Man

1999
Stalking the Moment – Installation at the Oakland Museum – Oakland, CA
Gallery Guide Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco, CA
Wired for Living, McKinney Ave. Contemporary – Dallas, TX

1998
Nominated for Isadora Duncan Dance Award for Distant Viewing at Jon Sims Center
Artist in Residence Jon Sims Center for the Performing Arts, San Francisco, CA

1988
Commissioned to Choreograph and Perform to Stravinsky’s L’Histoir De Soldat at the Mendocino Music Festival

1979 to 1989
Professional Dancer and Teacher – Member ODC/SF for 4 years, perform with New Orleans Ballet, Houston Ballet, San Francisco Opera Ballet, Bella Lewitzky Dance Company, choreographed and produced own work

1960
Born into a Family of Artists in New Orleans. Fourth Generation. Named after Great-Grandfather Charles Hutson. Self-taught painter. His work is in the collection of the Ogden Museum of Southern Art.