Art, music, and performance have been an elaborate part of Annie Hooten’s life. From theatre and painting to dance and jewelry making, she has a touch and an eye for creative work. Born in Miami, Florida to a pioneering reconstructive and plastic surgeon father and a nurturing mother who encouraged her talents with much enthusiasm, she was introduced to the arts and rich cultural experiences at an early age.
For most of her adult life, Annie lived in Switzerland, Singapore and Australia, immersing herself in local culture and creative events. For many of those years, she was a Folk Artist and owned a retail shop and teaching studio in Melbourne, Australia. A chance to enhance her clogging skills put her on a path for Albuquerque, after she fell in love with the instructor, Ed Hooten, who had been hired by her dance troop to teach at their annual convention.
After becoming a New Mexico resident and marrying Ed, Annie put aside her paint brushes and took up polymer clay work, which has become a deep passion. She is an active member of the Polymer Clay Guild and is now teaching at Michael’s and in her private studio. Currently Annie’s work can be seen at the Art Gallery 66 in Bernalillo, NM, and at several New Mexico Art Fairs throughout the year.
Annie is also dedicated to the local community and has been actively involved as a Big Sister with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House, is a fundraising mentor for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and organizes walking teams for American Cancer Society events.
Annie continues to clog with her husband and takes great pride in her English Rose Garden, endurance cycling with her husband who has recently become a coach, plus an additional sports passion cheering for the Miami Dolphins.