ART & GARDEN TOUR 2024

About the Event

In this second BWNA Art & Garden Tour, visit five private gardens in the Beaumont-Wilshire neighborhood, each with art-for-sale components. Gardens and art are varied. This year find a garden with a stream and several waterfalls, one that’s certified backyard habitat, a garden designed from scratch for benefit of birds and the dog, one created with the help of the community, and a lush Mediterranean-style home and garden.

Art at the event is plentiful again this year; two homes will feature multiple artists, two homes will display the art of the homeowners, and with a wide variety of media, there’s something for everyone in the art offerings.

Garden 1: Ian Harding & Dorothy Gustafson  Art galore is to be found at this lovely Mediterranean home and its garden, which together serve as a soothing backdrop to explore the work of an eclectic group of artists.

The centerpiece of the garden is a fountain transformed into a tiered planter, overflowing with vibrant colors. Nearby, an elegant pergola, its roof adorned with lush grapevines, provides shade during sunny days and a cozy ambience in the evenings. Underneath, a seating area surrounds a charming fireplace, perfect for relaxing gatherings. Tall, slender cypress trees line the edge of the yard, creating a sense of privacy and a natural boundary that enhances the Mediterranean atmosphere.

Ian Harding, one of the homeowners, will be displaying his wood bowls, as well as glasswork and bronze sculpture; Kehrnan Shaw, one of the 2023 garden hosts, will be displaying his elegant metal designs for use as wall art, privacy panels or gate inserts; Lisa Horowitz will display her “Stamp Craft,” using her collection of postage stamps to create collages on functional and decorative items, and Marjorie Post will display a selection of her colored pencil drawings.

Garden 2: Mary Jaron Kelley & Charles Kelley

This garden, home to several microclimates, makes the most of a small yard. Certified back yard habitat with 75% native plants, its pesticide-free plantings focus on wildlife habitat and water conservation. The yard features a rain barrel, French drain, minimum lawn area, porous paving, and vegetated bio-swale with disconnected downspouts.

Habitat features include a bird bath, mason bees, native plants that provide food and shelter for birds; espaliered apple trees form a green fence, and edible plants such as herbs, tomatoes, raspberries, hops, and cardoon grow in sunny spots throughout the yard.

The art featured includes work by Portland artist Barbara Welty, who will be showing her paintings and cards inspired by nature with rich layers of texture and color; digitally hand-drawn and richly-saturated nature illustrations by graphic artist Christine Rains, and Ben Lucke of Studio Wall, a multi-faceted art and design studio. Studio Wall's interdisciplinary practice explores the intersection of art, science, fashion, and technology, evident in the art pieces to be displayed. Also displaying will be Portland artist Sharyn Smith, a potter, printmaker, and painter who makes functional pottery to feed bees, flowers, people, and pets.

Garden 3: Layne & Patrick Slabe  Landscaped with both ornamental and native plants, this yard and garden focus on wildlife habitat. Adorned with a Japanese shishi-odoshi – a device made to frighten away animals – in the front yard and an 18-foot stream with three waterfalls in the backyard. 52 species of birds have been observed from the property, along with many bee species, damselflies, dragonflies, butterflies, moths, and more.

Featured artist at this garden is Ronna, an artist, art educator, and outdoor enthusiast. Her creative focus is on painting birds and landscapes in watercolor, often painting “plein air” (painting outdoors). She has also worked in mixed media collage, fiber arts, and grows indigo for natural blue dye and handmade paints.

Garden 4: Thad & Betsy Ray  In the words of one of the homeowners: “This yard started as rocks, dirt, and dog poo, which allowed me to design it without having to work around what was here.” The owners garden for birds, bees, and dogs. Features include 25 trees planted over the years, a pond with a waterfall for birds to bathe and drink from; their dog enjoys a sip on hot days. Paths created give their pup a place to run, and the flowers are the kind that bees visit often.

The art featured is by the homeowner/gardener and professional artist Betsy Ray, who uses the birds, trees and flowers in her garden as models for the cards and drawings she’ll be offering at the event.

Garden 5: Colleen Suzanne

This homeowner announced that her garden proves dreams really do come true!

A labor of love, friendship, and community created her DYI (do it yourself) garden. From rolling up the carpet of weeds, sketching pictures, and creating gingerbread mock-ups, friends and family with skills, tools, and big hearts brought this garden to life. Neighborhood “help yourself” curbside plants or throw-aways make this garden ever-evolving.

The art featured includes vignettes styled by Nancy Romweber.  Her designs celebrate the wonders of nature with a playful twist, and include a curation of original paintings and found antiques. Also displaying will be neighborhood artist Marieke Mertz, who will be sharing her hummingbird art and small gift items.

The Fine Print:

Event will be held rain or shine.

Tickets are non-refundable.

Free for kids under 12.

Location information will be provided after ticket purchase.

Not all gardens are wheelchair accessible

Art shown on the Upcoming Events page is representative of the artists' work; exact pieces may not be available.