Painted Garden

Abigail Amundson is an emerging multimedia artist based in Corning, New York. Her work explores where the natural world meets the spiritual. Abigail recently graduated from Bowling Green State University with a BFA in Studio Art with a glass specialization. Currently Abigail works as a part-time member of the Hot Glass Team at The Corning Museum of Glass.

Born and raised in Indiana, it wasn’t until 2021 that Michael Carson started working with glass at Ball State University.

Originally in school for construction management, he was captivated by functional design. Switching his main focus from construction to the arts, Michael focused on functional work with the occasional sculptural twist. Inspired by historical artists of the likes of Salviati, Barovier and Toso along with more modern artists focused on Venetian techniques.

He looks to challenge how people view and use functional blown glass that is neglected due to the fragility or lack of practical use. Getting his undergraduate degree at Ball State University in Indiana, he has worked with studios across the Midwest along with the Corning Museum of Glass as a member of the Hot Glass Show and Make Your Own Glass staff.

Justin Jenicke is a Kansas City local who has been working with glass for over 20 years. He began his journey while living in Salt Lake City.  He has taken several workshops around the country and worked with many different artists from around the globe.  His work can be defined by clean lines and symmetrical repeating patterns.

Keegan O’Brien, originally from Northwest Ohio, earned his three dimensional bachelor of fine arts from Bowling Green State University in 2019. His artistic journey began with ceramics, wood, and found objects, but he found his true passion in glass. The medium’s interplay with light, its optical qualities, and its rich craft history captivated him, offering new dimensions for exploration in sculpture.

After graduating, Keegan worked as a gaffer at Schmidt and Messenger Studios, refining his technical skills and deepening his appreciation for the craft. He then set up his own studio practice in South Florida, where he produced and sold his work. Currently based in Kansas City, Keegan continues to pursue his artistic practice and works as a gaffer at Monarch Glass Studio, contributing to both his personal growth and the local glass art community.

Jackie Polofka is the owner and artist behind Double Dipped Studios, a growing seasonal glass studio on Kelleys Island, Ohio. Born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, she spent her summers on the lake she now calls home.

She graduated from Bowling Green State University in 2016 with a BFA in 3D Studies. After earning her degree, Jackie traveled along the East Coast, working at renowned glass institutions including the Corning Museum of Glass, the Chrysler Museum of Art, and STARworks. These experiences helped refine her technical skills and deepen her appreciation of glass and its endless possibilities.

Four years ago, she made the permanent move to Kelleys Island to pursue her dream of operating her own studio on the lake. Jackie specializes in blown glass, but embraces working with the material in any capacity. She finds glass to be an endlessly engaging medium that is challenging, dynamic, and continually inspiring. Through her work, she strives to share her love for the material and pass that sense of joy on to others.

Ori is co-owner of a glass business that goes by the name Shir Glassworks. He and his business partner and wife, Madeline, create a range of glass products both functional and sculptural.

Madeline, who has been blowing glass since her teens, introduced Ori to glassblowing and was his first teacher. Over the next 6 years Ori apprenticed at various studios in western Massachusetts and Vermont. Learning how to build equipment he built his first furnace out of a 55 gallon metal drum.

Their first studio was an 8 foot by 10 foot shed. Since then they have upgraded to a larger studio in Greenfield, Massachusetts. In the five years that they have been in business they have showcased their work in over thirty exhibitions per year. Their work can also be located in stores across the country.

Currently Ori and Madeline are working on building a public access studio at a butterfly conservatory where they will offer classes and showcase their artwork. Much of Ori’s inspiration comes from the natural world. In the studio, he uses his observations as inspiration to create his intricate and whimsical artwork.

Lauryl Sidwell is a glass artist based in Kansas City, Missouri. Originally a stained glass artist, Lauryl has been working in hot glass since 2023, and enjoys taking classes to keep learning about what the world of glass can offer. In her free time, she likes to try new restaurants and watch old movies with her fiancé.

Brandon Smith is a glass and mixed media artist, blacksmith, technician, and educator from Factoryville, Pennsylvania. He received his BFA from Tyler School of Art in 2007 and later his MFA from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale in 2016; where he received a Windgate research Grant, as well as two published Niche Awards.

While at SIU Brandon began hot sculpting, as well as discovering his love for Blacksmithing; later culminating in the creation of his own tool brand under the name Crow Print Tools.

In 2017, Brandon spent a year as the exhibits technician for the Denver Botanic Gardens, then moved to Pennsylvania to work towards building and running a new glass program at Keystone College, where he is today.

Brandon’s work varies in process and material, often using glass as a key feature; and always referencing symbols and allegories from nature.

Tyler Suter is a contemporary artist working primarily with glass and ceramic to create sculptures inspired by the natural world. He spends much of his time exploring the forests of Missouri or immersed in books and videos of the natural world, both micro and macroscopic.

After receiving a BFA from Bowling Green State University he worked as Studio Technician for St. Louis Community College-Forrest Park. Following his time at STLCC he spent years exploring techniques in borosilicate glass. He is currently a resident artist at Belger Arts Center, where he is utilizing both glass and ceramic studios to build upon his current body of work which is heavily inspired by SEM images of organic materials.

Located along the Dennis and Annette Young Magnolia Walk, Dogwood Walk, and Visitor Center Terraces, new sculptures have been installed alongside existing favorites for Painted Garden. Stroll the path to see delights around every corner.  

• Iron Butterflies (Mike Byrne)
• Pinwheel (Mike Bryrne, 2022) 
• Mosaic Vine (Rick and Janice Moore, 2022) 
• American Lotus (Tyler Kimball, 2022) 
• Sheaves of Wheat (Jac T. Bown, 1966) 
• Sharing (Robert Anderson, 2017) 
• Close Quarters (Dan Ostermiller, 1990) 
• Blue Sentinel (Dan Ostermiller, 1992) 
• Celebration Apple (Eric Tschanz, 2009)
• Lilies of Wonderland (Tyler Kimball, 2023) 
• Flowers and Honey (Amie J. Jacobsen, cast glass by Dierk Van Keppel) 
• Amanita a closer look at that! (Tyler Kimball) 
• A Roll in the Junipers (Dan Ostermiller, 2006) 

Daily | Included with admission 
 
In Garden Galleries, gardeners have hand crafted living walls using succulent plants as a medium. Jade, sedum, kalanchoe, echeveria and more combine in patterns inspired by lush swirls and waves, each one unique in its own design.

Daily | Included with admission

Step into a greenhouse transformed into a storybook, where imagination and nature come together. The path winds through whimsical plantings and fairy‑tale details. You’re invited to explore with childlike curiosity! 

A dragon sculpted from moss stands as the gentle guardian of Garden Galleries, protecting every story nestled among the blooms. Its emerald form blends with the surrounding greenery, as if it has grown from the magic of the space itself. 

Here, every corner feels like the beginning of a new adventure. 

Across the sidewalk in the arid greenhouse, be certain to enjoy the cacti and succulent collection including the living walls of succulents.   

Daily | Included with admission 
 
Tucked away in the David T. Beals III Woodland and Stream Garden, look for whimsical new fairy houses dotting the landscape and secret trail.  

9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Visitor Center
Included with admission
Step into the Exploratorium Lab at Powell Gardens, a dynamic space designed for young learners to engage in hands-on discovery and seasonal activities!  

Grab a Young Explorer Backpack and embark on a journey to identify flowers and plants throughout Powell Gardens. In the lab, experiment with color and light in an interactive exploration of the natural world. Look for a free seasonal craft inspired by the beauty of Powell Gardens!