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.

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.

NOW ACCEPTING ARTIST APPLICATIONS

FOR ART IN THE GARDEN 2027

Submit your application for next years Art in the Garden exhibition! Some things to note if you are selected:

• Your art would be for sale May-September (our busy season!) of next year.
• Your art will be seen by thousands of garden guests.
• The garden takes an 30% commission on all art sold on the property. That commission goes towards benefitting the Oregon Garden.
• Your art must be able to withstand all outdoor conditions. 
• You must be able to restock your art during that timeframe and would be in charge of providing inventory information to garden staff.
• Weather proof tags will be provided to you.