1973/74 Graduate study in sculpture, University of New Mexico
1974 Began making jewelry, self taught
1976 Project Grant, Minnesota State Arts Board
1977 Project Grant, Minnesota State Arts Board
1977 " A Change in Scale", Minnesota Artist's Exhibition Program Show, Minneapolis Institute of Art
1985 New Designer Room, Jewelers of America Shows, New York City
1988 Invitational: Vincenza Oro 1 , Vicenza, Italy
1989
United States Design Award, presented by the Manufacturing Jewelers and
Suppliers of America. In conjunction with exhibiting at MACEF Oro
Argento, Milan, Italy
2002 "Sacred Hand", by Gallen Benson, permanent collection, Museum of Arts and Design, New York City
2002 Raspberry Suite, Green Sea Turtle Necklace, Permanent collection, Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington , D.C.
2005 Solo Exhibition, " Precious in Nature, Jewelry by Gallen Benson", Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin