Ashland Oregon LocalsGuide

Amy Godard is a native whose family has called Ashland home for multiple generations. Amy and her life partner, Eric Navickas, are the co-owners of MAda Shell Art Gallery, on the plaza in downtown Ashland. I recently had the opportunity to show with her at our annual Holiday Market in the Briscoe ArtWing. We starting [...]

Katrina Meister is a fine artist living in Talent with her husband Michael and two youngsters — Christopher and Anabella. They are regulars at Farmers Market and long-time members of the Lithia Artisans Market. I was introduced to Katrina’s beautiful paintings at one of our early Holiday Markets at the Briscoe ArtWing. She and Michael [...]

Shelly Jillson is an Ashland resident and mother of Casey, age 19, and Forrest, age 24. She is a pressed flower artisan who will be showing her art around Ashland for the holidays — at the Lithia Artisans Christmas Faire on Thanksgiving weekend at the Historic Ashland Armory, and then at the Holiday Market at [...]

I recently had the opportunity to sit down at the Downtowne Coffee House in Talent and interview Steve McLaren. Steve is the owner of Sunhouse Studios in Medford. He is a long time member of the Lithia Artisans Market and has a very interesting take on life. His philosophy about his art is both fascinating [...]

I recently had the opportunity to visit the Hat Ranch — the home of Jim and Carol Young. They are a unique partnership both as a married couple, and the owners of “Hat People”. The Hat People are the most senior members of the Lithia Artisans Market, active members for 24 years. The three of [...]

Jean Bakewell is an artist and a very active community member.  She is a long time member of the Lithia Artisans Market and a woman of many talents.  Along with her partner Kay, she has made Ashland her home for almost two decades.  I spent the afternoon sharing coffee and words with Jean, and what [...]

Marcella Ruikis sings lead vocals in the jazz ensemble Smoky Red Quintet who plays locally on a regular basis. She is a long time member of the Lithia Artisans Market and shows her hand painted silk art along Ashland Creek most weekends throughout the season. Marcella lives with husband Jonas and 10 year old daughter [...]

Alissa Clark is one of over 100 local artisans who show their art on Calle Guanajuato throughout the summer, behind the Plaza, weekends at the Lithia Artisans Market. Known by her friends as Ali, she is a potter who displays her creations throughout the Pacific Northwest and makes Ashland her home with her 12 year old son, Ben.

Last week I went to Pangea for dinner. As I walked into the restaurant I noticed some amazing paintings on the wall that I hadn’t seen before. I obviously haven’t been paying attention because the artist Daniel Verner had many shows around town and was even featured in last months Sneak Preview. As I was [...]