Our Story
Somewhat independently, several local artists observed that the time was right. Creative individuals had achieved a critical mass in the Lake Oswego/West Linn populations. There was confidence that the communities would be responsive. The timing was now, this year, why wait? The motor behind these initial ideas was Ha Austin, a porcelain ceramicist with a background in the medical field. Her vessels are finely crafted and adorned with themes from nature. She made the calls and supplied the enthusiasm necessary to inflate the idea into action. She brought along her ceramic cohort and volunteer extraordinaire, Rebecca Clark. Becky is primarily an attentive mom these days but is generous to Lake Oswego Open Studios with her time. The mixed media artist Keri Bloom got wind of the effort and joined in. She paints as well as repurposes items from the past, altering them into new functions and beauty. Long time citizen of Lake Oswego, Lisa Finch-Wiser, propels the new enterprise forward while still devoting herself to the landscape, either on location or in the studio. Leslie Peterson-Sapp, a painter of images from Film Noir and archeology, assists the endeavor where needed. The reclusive painter of local landscapes, Randall David Tipton, was coaxed from his studio and took on the position of treasurer. To do this right, the six understood it needed to operate under the auspices of a non-profit organization. So they created one. Beyond the promotion and the introduction of artists to their communities, the board sees the essential purpose of the organization as educational. Demystifying the artistic process, encouraging individual expression from an early age, exposing the deep commitment artists have for their vocation and supporting creativity throughout one's life are among its goals. This new member of the community emphatically declares ‘artists are your neighbors, let us show you what we do!”
Our Mission
Lake Oswego Open Studios is a nonprofit artist organization and shall be operated exclusively for educational and charitable purposes. We would like to provide artists who create works of original design with opportunities to share their talent and passion by connecting them with art enthusiasts of all ages through annual studio tours, art exhibitions and art shows. The arts can enrich a community’s life by fostering fellowship, strengthening connections and encouraging creativity.
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HA AUSTIN
President
For a long time, Ha put off using the artistic side of her brain and pursued a path in science and healthcare. She wandered into a ceramics classroom one fine day and was immediately overtaken by the endless possibilities and freedom to explore and express her artistic side. Since relocating to Oregon in June of 2009, she has focused on crystalline glazes and Sgraffito techniques in high-fire kilns. The more she learned, the more she realized that working in clay combined science and art and she found herself right where she wanted to be. Ha has participated in the LO Festival of the Arts, Arts Council of LO and the LO Farmers’ Market. She has been involved as a volunteer for the Oregon Potters Association and in the Lake Oswego community as a resident artist at Uplands Elementary School and LOHS.
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KERI BLOOM
Vice-President
Keri is a mixed media artist living in Lake Oswego, OR. She is an avid up-cycler who loves giving new life to vintage items, whether it be creating statement necklaces from fabulous vintage costume jewelry or adding hand-painted designs to leather purses and vintage suitcases. She also paints colorful murals and landscapes, and her richly detailed creations feature everything from beautiful nature scenes to tributes to Van Gogh.
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BECKY CLARK
Secretary
Becky is excited about all forms of creative expression and is passionate about finding ways to build and create community around art. She studied studio art with an emphasis in ceramics and bronze sculpture in college, and is also an accomplished painter and printmaker. She has been involved in the arts non-profit space for over a decade, coordinating art exhibits around the Portland Metro area, as well as Japan. She is a former president of the Oregon Potters Association and continues to build strong artistic and community bonds in Lake Oswego.
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RANDALL DAVID TIPTON
Treasurer
A self taught artist, Randall has always chosen to live close to the landscapes he loves. He has exhibited consistently throughout the western United States. His first solo show was in the Sangre de Christo Art Center in Colorado and has recently exhibited in the Coos Art Museum on the coast of Oregon.
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LESLIE PETERSON SAPP
Member-at-Large
Leslie Peterson Sapp is an artist who is inspired by the past. She experiences the world by looking at it through the lens of history and asking, “how did we get here?” Using collage, painting and printmaking, she creates art that puts the past into a contemporary context. Born and raised in Oregon, she moved to New York City and attended Parsons School of Design and The Art Students League before graduating with honors from The City University of New York at Queens College. She returned to Oregon and has lived in Lake Oswego for 10 years. She has exhibited extensively on the west coast and beyond. She has volunteered for the Arts Council of Lake Oswego on the Public Art and Gallery Without Walls Selection Committees.
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LISA WISER
Member-at-Large
Lisa is a representational painter living and working in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Lisa earned a BS Degree in Art Education from the University of Oregon in 1978 including a year of art and language studies in Perugia, Italy and has completed graduate coursework in graphic design, art education and painting. Her work can be found in numerous private collections in the Northwest. She is recognized for her vibrantly colored paintings that come to life in both the field and studio. Acrylic, Oil and watercolor are her media of choice.