Christen was the resident artist at Guldagaard, International Research Ceramics Center in Denmark, 1997, and winner of the “McKnight Artist Fellowship & Residence for Ceramics Artists.” She was also the recipient of the NEA Regional Visual Arts Fellowship Award, and received two Minnesota Arts Board grants. She has an MFA from the University of Minnesota , and was an instructor in the Macalester Art department from 1987-1995. A full-time studio potter, she has pieces for sale at Northern Clay Center in Minneapolis. Christen is currently a resident of Portland, OR.