May 23rd – September 7th, 2026
Every summer, local artists showcase their handcrafted pieces alongside the natural splendor of The Oregon Garden, giving guests an opportunity to not only enjoy but also to purchase new pieces for their home and garden!
There is no additional fee for enjoying our Art in the Garden event: the art can be viewed at any time during open hours for the duration of the exhibit.
OPENING RECEPTION
Thursday, May 21st, 2026
Join us on the evening of Thursday, May 21st for a special opening reception of Art in the Garden.
Meet the artists involved in our exhibit, enjoy appetizers, wine and live music & entertainment!
Meet our Artists
Heather Skinner
Heather Skinner is a ceramic artist who lives in Salem, Oregon, and is continually influenced and inspired by the natural world. Her garden art pieces explore organic form in a fusion of nature and creative imagination. Heather also hosts multiple Garden University workshops at the Garden throughout the year, check out our Upcoming Events page for more details!
Jenny Ellsworth
Jenny found her passion for welding in 2004. For a couple of years, she had a business doing metal fabrication for commercial properties. She found herself seeing the potential in the “throw away” metal to create sculptures and give this material a second life.
Rob Kraai
When Rob Kraai retired from the Portland Fire Department, he decided to pursue his life long passion for metal art. You will often find him traveling to farms to pick up unwanted farm equipment to turn into bird baths, fountains, flowers, address signs and anything else to make a yard more beautiful.
Gail and Art Obendorf
Gail, joined later by her husband Art, founded Glass Art Oregon in 2016. After their art center’s program ended, they unexpectedly acquired equipment and converted their home into a hot shop, where they now frequently pursue their shared passion for glassblowing.
Judy Kunkle
Judy grew up in California and now resides in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Her degrees include Graphic & Fine Arts. She is inspired by the beauty of everyday objects and believes strongly in reusing and repurposing materials to make less waste for future generations.
Colleen Medlock
Colleen Medlock is an artist, teacher, and writer based in the Beaverton area. Her mosaic birdhouses include recycled components, blending sustainability with handcrafted design.
Wade Skinner
A Seattle-born metal worker and artist residing in Junction City for 45 years creates Native American and Western-themed art from recycled iron. Inspired by Native American philosophy and taught to weld at age five by his father, his work reflects living in harmony with nature and the spirit world.
Susan Wheeler
In her McMinnville, Oregon studio, Susan designs and kiln-fires individually crafted glass pieces that are assembled in a variety of colors, shapes and patterns creating beautiful hanging art pieces and stakes inspired by nature and gardens.
Maggie Bingham
Maggie has been working with glass since 2011, starting with stained glass and then falling in love with fused glass. She loves the way glass gathers light and color to transform them into beauty.
Cristi Mason-Rivera
Cristi is passionate about design and art, driven by a desire to help others live more beautifully and meaningfully. She believes art enhances personal spaces, positively impacting lives and the planet, and finds inspiring others the greatest compliment.
David Hillesland
David transitioned from finance to woodworking in his late 20s after meeting chainsaw carvers. Since 2008, he has built a successful business with a sawmill, CNC machines, and a gallery in the Santiam Canyon.
