Art In The Pearl Blog
Deborah and Richard Bloom, Full time artists since 1972

Board position: Hospitality Chair
We are a collaborative team and have been exhibiting at fine arts & crafts festivals for four decades. While we have travelled for shows all over the United States, we have lived in Portland and also shown here throughout those years. We have either exhibited at or attended Art in the Pearl since it began, and have been proud to claim it as our hometown show! Each of us has served as board member and volunteer in various local art organizations. Richard served as chairman of the … Continue reading →
Art in the Pearl couldn’t happen without the help of our dedicated, community-minded, and fun volunteers! Click here to Sign Up Now.
As a volunteer, you’ll be a part of Portland’s vibrant art scene and experience one of the nation’s best Fine Arts & Crafts events. You’ll get to peek behind the curtain and work alongside the artists – learning about them, their art and discovering what the art festival life is all about. We encourage you to bring friends, family and/or co-workers to make the experience even more fun!
Additional perks include a commemorative t-shirt,
complimentary sodas & snacks … Continue reading →
Our 2019 Jury
The board chooses 5 artists or arts professionals to jury our artist applications. There is a different and unique jury every year.
Christine Clark

Christine Clark is an installation and public artist who works in steel, wire, abstract sculpture and mixed materials. She has had numerous solo and group exhibitions locally and nationally and is a member of the Nine Gallery, a non-profit alternative art gallery that exhibits experimental and installation-based work in Portland. She is a two-time recipient of the Oregon Arts Commission Fellowship Grant as well as a Professional Development Grant. She has completed public … Continue reading →
Thank you to our new sponsor, REDFIN, for submitting this article about bringing art into your home.
From cave drawings to renaissance sculptures, art has always been a fundamental part of human experience. One of the many reasons that we value art deeply is because creating, viewing, and incorporating art into our lives positively impacts brain chemistry.
Bringing this positive energy into your home is one of the ways to make our space a healthy outlet for feelings and self-expression. Whether you’ve been in Portland for ten years or you recently rented a new space, choosing art is one of … Continue reading →
A HUGE THANKS to all OUR wonderful VOLUNTEERS who have signed up to help us at the 2017 ART IN THE PEARL FESTIVAL
September 2-4 LABOR DAY WEEKEND
We still need help for FRIDAY set-up day —- FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
Set-up begins at 8:00 as we begin putting up signs, counting T-Shirts, sorting programs, setting up entertainment areas, etc etc etc. Shifts available 8 am to 6 pm.
IF YOU ARE AVAILABLE, AND WANT TO HAVE SOME FUN, PLEASE GO TO THE VOLUNTEER TAB ON OUR WEBSITE AND SIGN UP!
artinthepearl.com/volunteer
or call Volunteer coordinator Carol Risley at 503-989-7511
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Austin Heitzman- Woodworking
I source my lumber from salvaged city trees. This labor-intensive work saves the tree from the wood chipper and gives it a new life as heirloom furniture. My trees are milled locally, on a farm in the Columbia River Gorge, and then left to air dry for several years. This slow and sustainable process ensures the integrity of the wood and produces the most vivid colors.
Rita Vitali- Ceramics
I create pottery that combines clean modern form with bold graphic patterns inspired from the richness and diversity of everywhere-landscape, textiles, geometry, botany, the microscopic world. I draw … Continue reading →
Kamala Dolphin-Kingsley makes mixed media paintings, using a combination of watercolor, acrylic, glitter, sequins and gold leaf.
Her art is inspired by marine biology, Art Nouveau, nostalgia, kitsch, childhood experiences, asian art, fairy tales, illustrated manuscripts, psychadelia & the amazing & bizarre wonders of nature.
Melissa Stiles received her degree in Architecture and worked in the field for ten years before founding her jewelry company. She makes modern jewelry that combines the discipline of her architectural training with the exploration of industrial materials and processes. Her work expresses modern simplicity and flawless execution with the illusion of effortless design. She … Continue reading →
Ashley May Heitzman Jewelry and Kim Murton Ceramics
Ashley designs and makes each piece of jewelry in her collection. Her original patterns and shapes are handcrafted from a range of precious metals – copper, silver, brass and gold – to create limited edition artisan jewelry.
Kim Murton makes clay heads that hang on the wall using terra cotta clay painted with colored slip and underglazes.


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Art In The Pearl relies on its wonderful volunteers — people like you — to help create its annual downtown arts festival. Dates and shifts available are being posted on our website. If you have joined us in the past, thank you and please come back. If you are curious about joining us as a new volunteer, you are welcome to email volunteer coordinator Carol Risley with any questions.
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