Art in the Gardens 2026
Meet the Artists
Spence McCleave
mccleaveartstudio.com/
instagram.com/spence7570/
About
Spence McCleave, a Tucson artist and perpetual student has not settled into any one particular style. Works in graphite, charcoal, acrylic and oil include figures, landscapes and portraits, with some abstracts for the fun of it. One of his artistic goals is to become looser with mark-making and more expressive.
Artwork on Display
For this showing Spence has chosen works that demonstrate the wide range of subjects and methods he's experimented with in the past year or so, in drawing and painting. Included are colorful abstracts, depictions of dance students in charcoal and oil, and a small floral painting with abstract tendencies.
Rose Thor
catscapes.bigcartel.com
instagram.com/catscapes.cats
Map Location
TBA
About
Rose uses simple lines, words, and textiles to create small art pieces and objects, exploring themes such as friendship, anxiety, and existential dread.
What’s on display?
Cat comics, prints, and handmade sewn goods.
Lhasha Tizer
About
I have been a meditation, mindfulness and Buddhist teacher for the last 16-40 years. In the last 5years I have incorporated Acrylic painting into my repertoire and employ the spiritual teachings into my paintings. I include Japanese wood block technique and Chinese scroll painting with the emphasis on beauty, nature, and peace.
Artwork on Display
Bright, vibrant colors are interspaced among a lovely Autumn leaf. Nature, mountains, water, and stones designed to take one on an amazing journey into a forest, sky in the Fall. Persimmons, scroll, gold background, a green vine draped across a Chinese inspired still life. Blue and white vase with cyclamen flowers on a carpet with depth of perspective and stripes from front to back.
Melissa Stopyra
Map Location
TBA
About
A lifelong creative. My favorite things are art, music, flora & fauna. I’m excited to show my work again!
What’s on display?
Recent desert musings and cats!
About
Zach Gordon is an award-winning ceramic artist who has exhibited his work in Japan, Turkey, and the United States. He is known for his ceramic fountains, sculptures, and storytelling projects. He teaches ceramics, raku, sculpture, fountain design, and 2D/3D design courses all over Southern Arizona.
Artwork on Display
Zach Gordon will be displaying ceramic bowls, tea cups, sculpture, and fountains. He is also available for commissions.
Eli Rahamim
elisrahamim.wordpress.com
@morethandoodling
Map Location
TBA
About
I draw abstract, doodle-style art largely inspired by my interest in science, and my experience with chronic illness and disability.
What’s on display?
Prints, notecards, bookmarks and originals drawings will be available, as well as a few coloring books.
Rheanna Maziarz
@hatsnribbons
dot.cards/hatsnribbons hatsnribbons.shop rheannamaziarz.weebly.com
About
Rheanna Maziarz is an artist working between monochrome painting and fiber craft. Her black and white acrylic paintings explore perspective, memory, and the quiet emotional weight carried in ordinary moments. Through her handmade hats and variety of textile crochet items with HatsnRibbons, she continues this exploration through objects meant to be worn and lived with, reflecting a parallel interest in slow, tactile creation and human connection.
Artwork on Display
The works on display bring together two parts of my practice: observational painting and handmade fiber craft. The paintings focus on quiet outdoor scenes, exploring light, atmosphere, and the emotional presence of everyday places. Alongside them, crocheted bandanas, hats, and a bag highlight an interest in slow, tactile making and objects designed to be worn and lived with.
Colleen Hench
About
I started working in pottery 5 years ago. After painting on canvas for years, clay has become part of my new focus. Handbuilding in clay is my medium and glaze is my color palette. I love putting my hands into clay, the process of forming vessels and other art forms is exhilarating. I’m ecstatic that I found my new voice in this creative process.
Artwork on Display
My clay works are hand sculpted and glazed stoneware vessels. My influence stems from Japanese ancient studies of organic earth and sky and modern artistic expression.
Amy Rahe
About
I'm a registered nurse but love finding time to create in mixed media. It's often sewing or collage but might be making giant crepe paper flowers! Look for lots of color and whimsy.
Artwork on Display
Find giant crepe paper flowers to brighten a room or event. Or how about an upcycled tote to gift or use at the farmers market. Enjoy fine silver jewelry and original art pieces as well.
About
Casa Kira specializes in providing unique jewelry, handcrafted in Tucson, Arizona by artist, Kira Geddes.
Artwork on Display
Handcrafted jewelry reflecting the colors and textures of the Sonoran desert, and made with fair trade materials from around the world.
Debra Bowles
About
Debra works in several different mediums exploring line and shape. She will be showing glass mosaics, pen and ink drawings, digitally printed cards and silk screened T-Shits.
Artwork on Display
Pen and ink drawings, glass mosaics, silk screened T-shirts, and digitally printed note cards.
Yovannah Diovanti
@yovannah_diovanti_art
About
I express energy through the use of color. My paintings are mainly representational, and celebration of love.
Artwork on Display
I will be offering small oil and acrylic, bright colored paintings, garden art ceramics and utilitarian art for sale. My work is for those who appreciate expressions of joy and love presented on canvas and clay in the simplest of ways.
About
Thalo is a queer mixed-media artist and art educator based in Tucson, Arizona. Thalo has a degree in art education, and is certified in the practice of Open Studio Practice. She is inspired by art therapy, art education, and art meditation to create art and art programming that deepens her connection with herself, and her community. Thalo creates emotionally honest artwork that helps viewers connect to their own inner worlds. Thalo has been facilitating meditation art workshops in Tucson for a little over a year, and since beginning these workshops, her art has taken on more authentic themes of growth, contradiction, and mental health.
Artwork on Display
Thalo will be displaying original paintings as well as high-quality images of these works printed onto stickers, tote bags, greeting cards, and wall art prints. They will also sell live watercolor portraits, which are kind of like a caricature but it’s a cute little watercolor painting instead!
DeeDee DuPlessis
https://www.instagram.com/dba_fotografie/
About
DeeDee DuPlessis is interested in all types of photographic processes, analog and digital. Recently, she has turned to cameraless processes like lumen prints and anthotype. She also workes with found photography and mixed media.
Artwork on Display
Anthotypes: ephemeral cameraless photographs made with plant emulsions. Anthotype is a very early photographic technique, but its prints cannot be fixed. It is a slow process with exposures taking days, weeks, or months.
Iveth Montoya
https://www.instagram.com/ivy_letters
About
Iveth Montoya is a Tucson based artist who works mainly with watercolor, playing with various techniques such as ink and colored pencils. She is a self taught artist who is inspired by the nature in her desert surroundings. She begin painting in 2021 when she was isolated during the pandemic due to her son’s condition. When she found the magic of watercolor it became a way to help her manage her anxiety and depression. She called her entrepreneurship “Pinta Para el Alma” or “Paint for the Soul”, because she has experienced healing, one paint stroke at a time.
Artwork on Display
Botanical watercolor art.
About
Born and raised in Tucson, I grew up loving the desert southwest. I've always appreciated the beauty of the plants and animals. I have explored the region from the mountain tops of the sky islands to the desert beaches of Sonora Mexico. I use metal clay to capture the intricacies of the little lives that can easily be overlooked when admiring a landscape. I find comfort, happiness, and inspiration from my creations and I hope you will too.
Artwork on Display
Each piece of jewelry is solid metal. A silicone impression is used to make an exact copy of leaves wood, flowers, animal skins, etc. Metal clay is put into the molds then fired. I use founder mains for my animal textures and no animals are ever harmed for my jewelry.
Suzanne Poirier
About
I learned pottery in Chicago, Illinois, but I am inspired by the textures, colors, and animals of the desert. My work can be seen in the gift shop at Tohono Chul gardens and SAAG Gallery in Joesler Village (River and Campbell).
Artwork on Display
My pottery is hand built (pinched, coiled) and functional as well as decorative: boxes, bowls, small planters. It draws on the colors and animals of the desert.
Heidi Grande
Instagram: @byheidisue_
About
My name is Heidi, and I am a resin artist based here in Tucson. I started my business making earrings out of Aspen leaves when I lived in Flagstaff. After moving to Tucson, I expanded my work to include botanicals native to Southern Arizona.
Artwork on Display
I make resin jewelry and decor out of local botanicals. My pieces include citrus slices, wildflowers, and various leaves.
Sara Falconer
About
I have been making homemade paper in my backyard for 30 years. I love the cathartic experience of shredding bills, junk mail, and the office paper that fills the garbage can and making something pretty AND useful. Finding the perfect card for someone is a deeply personal act. By using recycled and upcycled materials, you don't have to spend money on a boring, mass-produced grocery store card. It is a win for you, the recipient, AND your Mother Earth!!
Artwork on Display
Your message will be unforgettable when you send a card that’s as unique as the person receiving it. No two are alike, incorporating handmade paper (come watch a demonstration) and embellishments from recycled or found ephemera, like coffee cup sleeves and cancelled stamps. Don't see one you like? All materials will be available to make your own mini work of art!
Catalina del Oeste
Instagram: @catalinadeloeste
About
Catalina is a seamstress and artist serving up romantic watercolor portraits and hand sewn clothing items with elegant touches.
Artwork on Display
View pet portrait examples, sit for a live 5-minute ink portrait, grab a cute hand sewn top.
About
Barry Dodge teaches and creates art in a wide variety of media, currently fascinated by both digital fabric design and pastel painting.
Artwork on Display
Paintings, fabric, and keepsakes will be displayed and available for purchase in Barry’s style ranging from realistic to abstract. The garden is an important subject in many of these works.
Sage Early
Instagram: @sagegreen_art
About
Sage Early loves ponderosa pine trees, being barefoot in the grass, earthworms, and going for walks alone or not alone. He enjoys math, weird horror movies, playing the banjo, testosterone injections, and picking huckleberries along trails in Idaho. You can find him in libraries, in the rain, in watercolors, in painted nails, in deep green. He loves being alone in a forest. He loves making art.
Artwork on Display
Abstract Watercolor — originals and prints
Allo_artz
@Allo_Artz on Instagram
About
Hello, my name is Jamelle Texeria, and I am a local artist based in Tucson, AZ. I was a part of last year’s Art in the Garden exhibition, where I showcased my paleoart and fan art pieces. My experience last year was amazing, and I’m excited to be part of this year’s event.
Artwork on Display
The first new art piece I have this year is called “Rampage at the Rialto”, a Tucson-inspired artwork featuring my favorite fictional character of all time, Godzilla. The second piece is called The Battle of a Mountain, depicting a clash between two kaiju characters, Anguirus and Gigan.
Barbara Judd
About
Barbara Judd
MA in Dance, Choreography, & Visual Arts/Design. Organic farmer.
Dancer, Choreographer Performer, Visual Artist & Designer. Visiting Artist at universities & art schools in New York City, the Midwest, West Coast, major Canadian cities, Europe eg, Demark & Germany.
Artwork on Display
Showing her creations in handmade jewelry & accessories, textiles, herbals
Can’t Make the Event? Support Our Online Raffle!
Enter to Win This Garden Treasure Basket
PALO VERDE NEIGHBORHOOD – ART IN THE GARDEN IS OUR BIG FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR!!!
Enter to win our Tucson Botanical Gardens Gift Basket including 3 pieces of artwork with our ONLINE RAFFLE TICKETS! This combination basket is valued over $600!!!
Tucson Botanical Garden donated a beautiful gift basket including a Family Membership, T-shirt, and other wonderful items. We are adding 3 pieces of work from our wonderful local PVN artists, Barry Dodge (print on aluminum), Peggy Marlatt (framed pastel) and Ruth Reiman (pottery)!!!
Just in case you can’t make it to the event, you can participate with this ONLINE RAFFLE. As in prior year, our IN PERSON ART RAFFLE, featuring works by our participating artists, will be taking place at the Catalina High School Student Parking lot on April 4th, day of the event.
Drawings for both raffles will be on Saturday, April 4th
TICKET PRICES
Single Ticket: $5
Five Tickets: $20 (1 Free)
25 Tickets: $100 (5 Free)
PALO VERDE NEIGHBORHOOD – ART IN THE GARDEN IS OUR BIG FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR!!!
Enter to win our Tucson Botanical Gardens Gift Basket including 3 pieces of artwork with our ONLINE RAFFLE TICKETS! This combination basket is valued over $600!!!
Tucson Botanical Garden donated a beautiful gift basket including a Family Membership, T-shirt, and other wonderful items. We are adding 3 pieces of work from our wonderful local PVN artists, Barry Dodge (print on aluminum), Peggy Marlatt (framed pastel) and Ruth Reiman (pottery)!!!
Just in case you can’t make it to the event, you can participate with this ONLINE RAFFLE. As in prior year, our ART RAFFLE, featuring works by our participating artists, will be taking place at the Catalina High School Student Parking lot on April 4th, day of the event.
Drawings for both raffles will be on Saturday, April 4th
ONLINE RAFFLE TICKETS
Single Ticket: $5
Five Tickets: $20 (1 Free)
25 Tickets: $100 (5 Free)