Christi Manuelito American

Raised in New Mexico, Christi Bonner Manuelito grew up around art in Santa Fe and graduated with an art history and art studio degree from the University of New Mexico, where she was also a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. Upon graduating from UNM, she started working at different fine art galleries in Scottsdale doing their promotional work and sales for the next 4 years. In 2002, she and partner Clark David Olson opened Bonner David Galleries in Scottsdale, AZ and in 2020, opened their second location in New York City.

For over 25 years she has curated hundreds of gallery exhibitions as well as collections for avid art collectors. In addition, Manuelito has assisted with the cultivation of many now famous artists locally and internationally and has advanced her gallery artists visibility by participating in several well-known contemporary art fairs across the west:  Art San Francisco, LA Art Show, Art Santa Fe,  and Art Aspen to name a few. Manuelito resides in Scottsdale with her son Jett, her pup Daisy, and travels to New York for her second gallery’s exhibitions. 

Christi is also a talented artist, focusing on the intersection of architectural design and fine art, employing metal and stitchery along with her painting technique.  She is known for developing visual biographies which tell a narrative about a family, including significant artifacts and details of the lives of her subjects.