Art in the Gardens 2026
Meet the Artists
Molly (Karen Thompson)
artbymolly.com
About
My mind thinks in colors and shapes. So I started fluid acrylic painting about 10 years ago and continue to have fun creating shapes with vivid colors.
Artwork on Display
My artwork is original fluid acrylic painting on canvas. My paintings are 16X20.
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.
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)
