Flourish + Nourish
Flourish & Nourish
Arts Council of Lake Oswego
The Story of Public Art in Lake Oswego
Did you know? Public art in Lake Oswego goes back decades and has been part of the artistic fabric of this area. Learn more about this renowned program from those who make it happen as well as a participating artist or two!
Leah Puhlman
The Secret Life of Pollinators: Creating a Garden They’ll Love
Restoring native pollinator habitat can be straightforward, and anyone can take steps to make a difference in their own outdoor spaces. By understanding and addressing the fundamental needs of pollinators-food, shelter, and safe places to raise young-you can help these important creatures thrive. Leah Puhlman, an OSU Master Gardener, demonstrates the potential of pollinator gardens through inspiring before-and-after photographs of transformed spaces. She highlights which flowers are especially attractive to bees and discusses garden management techniques that reduce labor while supporting the presence of more beneficial insects. By making thoughtful choices, you can create a welcoming and vibrant garden for pollinators, enriching both your environment and the ecosystems that depend on these vital creatures.
Matt Patterson
The Art and Conservation Journey of Matt Patterson
Matt Patterson will discuss his career and experiences as a wildlife illustrator/artist. Starting at a young age, Matt was fascinated with nature and art, and he has traveled all over to research his subjects. There's almost no distance he won't go, almost nothing he won't do, to learn all he can about his subjects to make his paintings of wild animals as accurate and lifelike as possible. Matt will discuss his experiences working in the field, his books and his process of painting and how he researches his work and gathers reference.
Mike Darcy
Plants for Summer Color
Join lifelong gardener and longtime Portland radio host and Festival Spotlight Award Winner Mike Darcy for an engaging look at achieving vibrant, reliable summer landscapes. With a degree in horticulture and decades of "hands-on" experience in his own Portland garden, Mike understands the local climate and what truly thrives here. In this session, Mike will share his personal favorites for continuous color from summer into autumn. From high-performing flowers to striking foliage and plants that serve as "hummingbird magnets," you’ll discover the reliable varieties and fresh combinations Mike uses every year to keep his garden a thriving, colorful sanctuary.
Dr. John Kallas
A Luscious Tour of Life-Sustaining Ancestral Wild Plants
Wild foods are ancestral foods we’ve lost touch with since the advent of agricultural domestication. In this entertaining, illuminating, and beautiful slide presentation, join wild food expert John Kallas as he takes you on a tour of plants that have sustained our ancestors for hundreds of thousands of years. Each plant has a fascinating story. Being ‘edible’ is just a general label. The details are more intriguing and beautiful.
Chef Cathy Whims
Potato Gnocchi, Tasting and Book Signing with Chef Cathy Whims of Nostrana
Join Cathy Whims to hear her stories, and watch a demo of recipes from her new cookbook, The Italian Summer Kitchen including the world-famous Nostrana potato gnocchi and Marcella Hazan's Tomato Butter No.3 sauce.
Chef Mia Liu
Creole Seared Lion’s Mane with Rainbow Carrot Salad
A live cooking demo inspired by Oregon’s fields and forests, featuring lion’s mane mushroom and heirloom carrots transformed into a deeply satisfying dish. Learn how to build bold, layered flavor using simple techniques.
Matt Patterson
Children’s Workshop: Painting Turtle Illustrations with Matt Patterson
Children of all ages can paint along with Award-Winning Illustrator Matt Patterson! Using watercolors and one of Matt’s turtles drawings, participants will create their own unique piece of art!
Beth Federici
James Beard: America’s First Foodie - Film Screening & Discussion with Director Beth Federici
Long before "farm-to-table" was a buzzword, Portland’s own James Beard was revolutionizing the way we think about food. Known as the "Dean of American Cookery," Beard was a pioneer who hosted the first-ever television cooking show and authored dozens of cookbooks that brought a uniquely American culinary identity to the forefront. Join us for a screening of the American Masters documentary, James Beard: America’s First Foodie, which traces his incredible journey from the Pacific Northwest to the culinary heights of New York City. The film features rare archival footage and interviews with culinary legends like Julia Child and Jacques Pépin, painting a portrait of the man who paved the way for today’s food movement. Following the screening, director Beth Federici will join us for a discussion about Beard's enduring legacy and the making of the film.