Bonnie Meltzer’s art-making, activism, community building and gardening are linked together like crochet; one thread looping with itself creating an interlocking life. Born in New Jersey, Meltzer moved to Seattle to get an MFA at the University of Washington. There, she found her medium (textiles), her social commentary voice, and installation as a format. Meltzer has exhibited throughout the Northwest and beyond where her work is in private and public collections. Her pioneering crochet is featured in many crochet books from the 1970s and more recently on the covers of “The Fine Art of Crochet” and “Artistry in Fiber: Sculpture”.

American born and Chile-based Deborah Donelson has been a working artist since 1990. Her work centers around the relationship between wildlife (especially birds) and humans. Throughout her career, she had numerous solo shows throughout the US as well as internationally - from France to Japan, Canada, the UK, Santo Domingo, Venezuela, Puerto Rico and India.

Erica Gibson creates three-dimensional assemblages from found objects and hand-sculpted clay. Inspired by dreams, human emotion and worlds unknown, her pieces straddle the space between the personal and make-believe creating enchanting and enigmatic sculptures. She grew up in Kent, WA, just south of Seattle, and currently resides in Portland, Oregon where she creates 3 dimensional sculptures, assemblages and ephemeral art in nature. Erica has shown at RiverSea Gallery, Sidestreet Arts, Blind Insect Gallery and Imperfecta Gallery. She completed an artist residency at The Verdancy Project, the place where she painted faces on trees for their land art exhibition, Terra Incognita. When not in her studio, she is either searching for unique old objects, enjoying nature or sitting on the porch next to her partner, who writes poetry.

Erika Rier is a self-taught interdisciplinary artist creating paintings, ceramics, and art zines in a style she calls folk surrealism. Writing was her first love and she still secretly writes stories. Having lived in Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, NYC, Arizona, and Washington state, Erika now resides in Portland, OR. She also has one of each of the following: a husband, a daughter, a fluffy cat, a curly haired cat, and a little dog.

My work is characterized by mixed anatomies and forms. Human faces and bodies are combined with different textures, skins and elements, giving rise to hybrid beings Through my aesthetics, in balance between the classic and the surreal, I study the themes of transformation, sense of belonging and self-perception, the ability to adapt, stereotypes and categorization. I look for the fine line that separates personal identity from social conventions, sanity from madness, studying the differences between perception and reality. My figures are a look towards the interior and the lack of control, they are a way of containing the uncontainable. The stories of each character, isolated in an intimate and unreal dimension, are reflections on the identity of misfits and the many facets of being. As an artist, my most important task is to communicate and stimulate a different way of feeling and thinking. I mainly resort to sculpture because it is an affirmation of solidity in contrast to the volatility of thoughts and emotions: it consolidates and crystallizes them into a permanent and lasting image, it is a perfect tool to stop doubting reality and oneself.

Hannah Amis (Immense Engine) explores the themes of serendipity, presence, and the power of being in the moment. She loves how you can't plan a painting - a painting often plans itself - both intuitively and organically. Finding inspiration in materiality, Hannah empowers both color and textures to express a wide range of emotions and ideas. Hannah grounds her work in the belief that the best art comes from a place of freedom and spontaneity. Hannah believes that art is a way to connect with our inner selves and to each other, and strives to create work that is both visually stimulating and emotionally resonant. She hopes that her work will inspire people to connect with their own creativity and to see the world in new ways.

I am a mixed media artist with textiles as my main focus. My contemporary fiber art blends portraiture, abstract, and storytelling in a college style. Recurring themes are self reflection, searching for meaning, transformation, and transitions. The focal point images come from my original oil / acrylic paintings, original silkscreens, and drawings that have been printed on fabric. I use reclaimed fabrics of all kinds, text, hand stitching, machine stitching, crochet, embroidery, and 3-d elements. My background in theater ; props, costume design and scene painter, allow me to create without boundaries. My work ranges from textile wall hangings/ quilts, fiber vessels, textile mixed media sculptures, art dolls, wearable art , and installations.

Jacquline is obsessed with layering her canvas with history. The first painting becomes the backbone of the story, an original story that remains as she layers another painting on top of it and then another. It's this development of history that so intrigues and pushes her forward to the next layer. In her own words: "This works for me psychologically. I view my paintings as I view my life. I'm layered with new experiences and take on personality adjustments as I go about my journey. My paintings mimic this process of growth and renewal. The results are complex combinations of rich texture, story and mystery… like us."

"I am drawn to the struggle that art making presents and I always return to that process. As I paint and build, (and even when I curate exhibitions) I respond to innate impulses, trusting my gut. While weaving bits of memories and/or mementos (from past paintings, sketches, fabric, and old letters) throughout the painting or sculpture. The work then holds a sense of story - each piece revealing a part of life, my unconscious, or my dreams. The resulting creations may emerge as an abstraction or a dream-like scape. My current working process relies on references from the subconscious and dream states. These elements of my work may at times be recognizable or conversely, may be mostly obscured. My primary concern when I work is to follow impulses just below the surface. I paint and build first, I gain momentum by changing the surface and moving across the plane until I find something that calls to me and seems to work. This brings momentary relief…. until the next problem.” Jennifer Gillia Cutshall’s work is collected worldwide and she has designed and painted hundreds of murals and public art pieces. She is an artist and curator in Portland Oregon where she has curated over 60 exhibitions.

Kari Phillips is a jewelry artist producing limited edition and one-of-a-kind pieces. With a degree in Art History and an early career in fine art museums, her work is an explorative homage to ancient emblems and modern art movements. Handcrafted in her Portland, Oregon studio, each piece is fabricated with consideration toward revival and originality; form and material; intent and the wearer.

Katharine Eksuzian is a ceramicist inspired by natural motifs. She strives to understand and depict the symbiotic relationships of our environment and the importance of its protection. As a self-taught artist, intense research and a literal hands-on approach to the clay medium has been essential. Her work is driven by a respect for nature and attention to intricate detail. With a focus on ecological themes, she creates scientifically accurate to-scale sculptures that are consciously crafted and completed in a high-fire soda kiln. Eksuzian holds strong beliefs in hand crafting each sculpture entirely out of clay to fully reflect the fragile nature concepts. Being an artist, there is always a need to create. Being able to do it in a way that has a positive impact is the true challenge and is the foundation of her work.

“I take inspiration from the natural world, layering textiles to mimic the colors and textures in the landscape; Velvets become moss, wools become tree bark, and crisp satins become ice. I see complex in the ordinary and riches in the overlooked.” Kim Tepe’s work looks to recreate textures and shapes found in nature. She creates microcosms with fabric and thread, recreating trees with life like tree bark, leaves, needles, lichen, moss, and individual mushroom gardens that stand alone to remind us of what is outside our door. Tepe uses a slew of traditional and nontraditional techniques such as quilting, embroidery and felting manipulating the media into shapes. She uses scrap fabric, upholstery samples, thrifted yarn, embroidery supplies, dying what she needs to get the desired results. Kim started in theatre costuming, learning how to use and manipulate fabrics. While in Seattle she met a group of artists creating work that resonated with her and started exploring the diversity of fiber art. In 2017 she moved to Portland where she continues to thrive.

My drive to create is as involuntary as breathing. In contrast to my business school education and to offset hours of sitting in front of a computer screen creating better ways to deliver intangibles, I crave opportunities to manipulate solid materials and observe the way color changes in the light. Thanks to modern day information and virtual courses I learned the basics of metalsmithing which led to a creative crush I never knew I needed, and the results are what you see here. A lifelong resident of the Willamette Valley and currently residing in Oregon City, I’m infinitely inspired by the outdoors: color of stone, movement in the clouds, sounds of the water, distance to the stars and planets, constant change in contrast and mood as the Earth spins us toward and away from the sun. I’ll take pictures all day long to capture shape, shadow, light, ambience and bring that back to my bench to collaborate with the tools, silver, and gems that await.

Washington-based Leslie McMillan trained with Master Momoko Okada in the ancient art of Japanese silver leaf, which dates back to the 15th century. Along with silver leaf, she uses traditional silversmithing techniques - including soldering, forging and casting - to create sculptural wearable art.

The late Melissa Stiles received her degree in Architecture and worked in the field for ten years before founding her jewelry company. She makes modern jewelry that combines the discipline of her architectural training with the exploration of industrial materials and processes. Her work expresses modern simplicity and flawless execution with the illusion of effortless design. She strives to expose only the intentional form without gratuitous details. The result is design that celebrates the simple and pure form in beautifully wearable color combinations. Stiles works in various materials including hand-pigmented resin, laser cut stainless steel, brushed aluminum, powder-coated enamel, and silver. These materials lend themselves to blending different means of fabrication resulting in a collection of minimal, durable jewelry in cheerful colors with bold graphic designs. Melissa works from her home on Portland, Oregon. In partnership with her husband, Dan Stiles they produce a number of products ranging from art objects, personal accessories, to housewares.

Originally from the Midwest, I’ve spent over two decades as a sculptor and an instructor in industrial design in the Bay Area. In 2023, my wife and I embarked on a new chapter, finding ourselves drawn to the creative energy and natural beauty of Portland, Oregon. We’ve been in Portland for just over a year now. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of showcasing my art in esteemed group exhibitions with Modern Eden, Arch Enemy, Corey Helford, Beinart Gallery, La Luz De Jesus, Compound Gallery, and Stranger Factory. And my upcoming solo exhibition, titled ‘The Wilding’, is slated to debut at Modern Eden in May. Thematically, I draw inspiration from the allure and enigmatic charm of the natural realm, with a particular focus on the kingdom of fungi. My artistic journey is a fervent dedication to the mushroom, whether psychedelic or of another ilk, with a profound commitment to channeling its essence and message in my creations. Whether embarking on forest treks in search of these captivating organisms, integrating mushroom supplements for health benefits, exploring the realms of microdosing psilocybin, or crafting art in homage to their beauty, my life is intricately intertwined with the kingdom of fungi.

My name is Gioconda, I live in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine National Park. I love theatre, literature and I can't do without nature which inspires me and makes me feel in harmony. I am a solitary and thoughtful person. I love to travel even if it's something I haven't been able to do very often lately.This art of dollmaking was born from the need to give shape to all the images and stories that I have inside me, also inspired by the puppet scene in the film "the double life of Veronica" which I adore. For me, art and creation are the possibility of entering a "fluid zone" where one can draw and give back to the outside.

Raphael Arar works at the nexus of complex systems, transdisciplinary design and arts-based research. His work highlights the social, political and economic implications of technological acceleration and human-to-machine interaction. His artwork has been exhibited at venues internationally including the ZKM | Center for Art and Media, Moscow Museum of Applied Art, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, International Symposium on Electronic Art (ISEA), ACM CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, Gamble House Museum, Boston Cyberarts Gallery, and Athens Video Art Festival. Notable commissions include Noema Magazine, Goethe Institut, Gray Area Foundation for the Arts, Intel Labs and IBM Research. Commercially, his design work has been featured in publications including Forbes, TED, Inc. Magazine, FastCompany, Wired and others.

Myra-Catie enjoys creating art in a variety of mediums and surrounding herself with strange and historical found objects. She is a personal student of human psychology, metaphysics and parapsychology. She is a healer working primarily in massage, energy work and intuitive life coaching. She finds inspiration and solace in nature and music. In her free time she spends time with loved ones, cuddles her pets and reads good books.

Natural and repurposed elements, along with traditional artistic mediums compose Reade Weber’s mixed media sculptures. Based in West Linn, Oregon, Weber’s process ignites with artistic intention born through deep reflection of feelings around experience. Time in nature, allows connection to intended content and further form generation. While making, focus on now guides intuitive melding to create work. Weber holds a Masters in Design and Human Environment from Oregon State University, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and a minor in Business Administration from University of Oregon.

Reese Bowes' personal work as an artist ranges from electronic and analog music production, fine art illustration, on to digital interactive multimedia installations. His interactive installations, sound sculptures, and visual work typically focus on the intersections between human-human interactions as modified by technological interfaces, and the lack of representation of peoples of African ancestry, and other often marginalized groups, in technical and design fields. Reese earned an MFA in Applied Craft and Design through a joint degree from the Pacific Northwest College of Art and the Oregon College of Art and Craft. He studied Artificial Intelligence at the Oregon Graduate Institute. He also started his art and design career at the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities, and was part of the second graduate class of the now 24 year old institution (as of 2023). He has thus far been awarded and granted 11 United States Patents for various designs and technologies that have furthered or provided foundation for the virtual and augmented reality industry.

Richard Cutshall is a Mexican-American artist who works in the mediums of drawing/painting, printmaking, and sculpture. His vast exhibition record includes over 100 group and solo shows, both nationally and internationally. His work is included in numerous private and public collections throughout the country and internationally. ​Some of Richard’s earliest memories involve art and he vividly remembers drawing from an early age; using it as a way to understand the sometimes frightening aspects of the world around him. Today that use of art as a way of gaining understanding continues with Cutshall describing his work as “a kind of self-exorcism.” Also a teacher with 30 years’ experience, Mr. Cutshall teaches at Mt Hood Community College and Chemeketa Community College. Currently Richard resides in Portland, OR where he and his wife Jennifer, another fellow artist, share their studios and home with one oversized Dantiff and two spoiled cats.

Sandra Alderman is an award winning encaustic and mixed media artist living on the outskirts of Portland since 2020. Embracing the Pacific Northwest and its incredible beauty, Sandra and her husband live with 3 cats, 4 crows, and multiple squirrels and birds which have all become part of their family. Her natural surroundings have a deep influence on her creative spirit, as did her experiences living in diverse states and countries -- experience that deepened her love for new places and diverse people. Sandra's main artistic focus is in the ancient art of encaustic, which dates back to 5th century BC. Her handmade medium (or paint) consists of beeswax, damar resin (tree sap) and pigment which she fuses with a blow torch on a hard wood surface. As Sandra shares: "It is a fascinating process with an intoxicating smell as the beeswax melts on my pallet. I am drawn to texture and the use of discarded bits of metal and paper to express my creative vision."

Serafine is a local Portland Artist. She works in clay to create whimsical, yet realistic/stylistic sculptures of dogs, cats and other animals. Her art background is classic from studying and sculpting the figure at the National Academy of Design in NY and Artida Arts Inc. in Italy. She has an undergraduate degree in Medical Illustration, hence her realism style. Serafine has been creating art since she was in the 6th grade!

Arizona-born now living in Oregon, Trenton Hayes tends to shy away from saying too much about his intriguing background. With a Degree in Zoology, he worked in labs, fishing boats, bars, and... warzones. Besides having an incredible knack for growing and propagating cacti, air plants and orchids, Trenton has loved making art since he was a little kid. We invited him to join us to cultivate his art and plants love further.

Mexican artist living in Portland, Oregon. Doing one of a kind ceramic pieces using the wheel first then alter the pieces; transforming them into whimsical animals or nature inspired pieces.

Victoria was born & raised in MI, She attended college in NY. She lived in NYC 20 for years and PDX for 12. Jewelry training: 92nd Street Y, Penland, Mendocino, and countless other classes. She has been making jewelry for 22 years & has been a professional stage manager for dance & theatre for 30 years.

Wynter Jones lives in Sherwood, Oregon and is originally from Kaysville, Utah. She has been drawing and painting for most of her life. Wynter also holds a Masters of Education and teaches art locally. Wynter’s art alternates between abstraction and realism, often merging the two. She also explores a variety of 2D media, such as oil paint, acrylic, watercolor, ink and pen. Wynter is interested in merging intangible marks with representational subjects, muting edges and re-defining them. She sees her art as an act of extending minutes, recapturing the passage of time with tiny marks, simple subjects, and connective patterns.