Christopher Allen JAMES

Age 47, of Seattle, WA, previously of Minneapolis, MN, passed away July 25, 2018 from complications following surgery. Christopher grew up in St. Paul, MN and attended Saint Paul Academy and Summit School, where he excelled in art and in theater. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Art History and Theater from Sarah Lawrence College in 1992, and a Master's degree in Arts Administration from Saint Mary's University of MN in 1997. Christopher worked as a marketing and public relations director for many major non-profit organizations, including the Ted Mann Concert Hall, the University Libraries, and the Weisman Art Museum at the University of Minnesota; the Loft Literary Center and the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis; and the Seattle Public Theater in Seattle, WA. Recently, he had begun a new and exciting job as Director of Gallery 110 in Seattle. Christopher was also a teacher, helping both undergraduate and graduate students learn about arts administration, nonprofit management, marketing, and PR. He founded and ran the Fully Reciprocal Theater Company and was a member of the Minneapolis cowboy yodeling band Rope Trick. Throughout his life, Christopher loved good writing. He read plays and poetry voraciously and often sent friends just the right quote. He railed against bad grammar and "obnoxiously overused phrases," to the delight of his Facebook friends. He was an excellent cook, even as a child, and produced delicious food while always making a terrible mess in the kitchen. He loved to travel. He had a sharp wit and came up with hysterical puns and impersonations, making his friends and family laugh. Christopher is survived by his loving husband, Joe Carl; his parents, Donald and Suzanne James; his sister, Cynthia (Scott) Murdoch; his niece, Emily Macaluso (Tony Guerra) and his nephew, Philip Macaluso; and many other relatives and dear friends. A celebration of Christopher's life will be held Saturday, October 27, 2018 from 2-4 pm at the Weisman Art Museum, University of Minnesota. Memorials are preferred to Gallery 110 in Seattle, WA, or the Weisman Art Museum in Minneapolis.