About Garth

Bio

I grew up in the burbs of Portland Oregon
There was a creek in the back yard.

Painted my first painting when I was 13 after seeing my brother paint
He’s a filmmaker now.

In high school I was lucky and got kicked out of 2nd year algebra. I was ordered to the art room where I met a great art teacher who encouraged me.

At the same time I also had an English teacher who would read my attempts at prose and thought I had some talent.

I got interested in stained glass when I was a freshman in college
Switched to art from English – left college after two years.

Stumbled into glass blowing at Portland State, which I loved but wasn’t good at
And I didn’t have a thing to say with it.

Went back to flat glass. Took a class from a German designer
And immediately did the opposite of his teachings, he was too strong.
Though I did like the way he responded to architecture.
He cared and really worked on his designs.

In 1975 the Oregon art commission smiled on me and I got to make a leaded window for a food stamp office. Two cartoon weight lifters. I really liked getting paid up front plus I had to design a steel frame for the thing which forced me to work with welders.

I never could have been a gallery artist. But doing something different all the time suited my learning style – which was the “couldn’t sit still in class” style.

I’ve been working in metal mostly for the past 25 years. Art has been my only job since 1980. I have work in 10 states and have finished over 50 public art projects.

Commission Work

Work in Metal
Pierce County Courts BuildingTacoma, Washington2007
West Sound AcademyPoulsbo, Washington2007
Mt Vernon High SchoolMt. Vernon, Washington2006
S Sound Community CollegeOlympia, Washington2005
King Co HousingKent, Washington2004
Memorial John Hay SchoolSeattle, Washington2000
Green Hill School PrisonChehalis, Washington2000
New Jersey TransitHoboken, New Jersey2000
Redmond Community CenterRedmond, Washington2000
Anoka Treatment CenterAnoka, Minnesota1999
Charnelton Parking ExteriorEugene, Oregon1999
E Portland Community CenterPortland, Oregon1998
Franklin ElementaryTacoma, Washington1997
Children’s ServicesPensacola, Florida1997
Humbolt LibraryChicago, Illinois1997
U of O Student HousingEugene, Oregon1997
HazMat StationKansas, City Missouri1996
Animal Science Building W S UPullman,Washington1997
Evergreen Medical CenterKirkland, Washington1995
Main St RenovationAuburn, Washington1995
Children’s TheaterSeattle, Washington1994
Airway Prison Visiting CenterSpokane, Washington1994
King County Health ClinicFederal Way, Washington1993
Community CenterMaple Valley, Washington1993
Dunlap St RenovationPhoenix, Arizona1990
Nordstrom Lloyd CenterPortland, Oregon1990
Nordstrom DowntownPortland, Oregon1990
Transit Station GateSeattle, Washington1990
Tree Grate  Seattle MetroSeattle, Washington1989
Seattle Water DeptSeattle, Washington1986
All Saints SchoolPortland, Oregon1983
Enameled Steel
King County LibraryBellevue, Washington1993
Tabor Middle SchoolPortland, Oregon1991
Oregon DOT  One panelSalem, Oregon1989
Anchorage Dog PoundAnchorage, Alaska1988
Juvenile CourtPortland, Oregon1987
Turnagain ElementaryAnchorage, Alaska1985
Leaded Glass
King County HousingKent, Washington2004
Barker ResidenceBainbridge,  Washington2002
Green Hill SchoolChehalis Washington2000
Pierce County LibraryEatonville, Washington1990
East Austin Senior CenterAustin, Texas1988
U of AlaskaFairbanks, Alaska1985
Pope Elementary SchoolPuyallup, Washington1984
U of O  Student UnionEugene, Oregon1982
Tillamook County HospitalTillamook, Oregon1982
Bess Kaiser HospitalPortland, Oregon1981
Kaiser ClinicPortland, Oregon1980
Food Stamp OfficeEugene, Oregon1979
Exhibitions
Bainbridge Arts &Crafts, Works in StoneBainbridge, Washington2005
The Art of Golf, SafecoSeattle, Washington1996
German Tour, US PrintmakersGermany1993
Art in Architecture, Focus on FireSeattle, Washington1889
Govett-Brewster GalleryNew Zealand1983
Portland Art Museum, Oregon BiennialPortland, Oregon1983
Tucson Museum, Leaded GlassTucson, Arizona1978
University of Texas, PrintsSan Antonio, Texas1985
Renwick Gallery, New GlassWashington DC1979

Design Teams

Consultant for New Jersey Transit, Hudson Bergan Light Rail, 1995
Seattle Children’s Theater, Project Artrist, 1991-93

Awards

National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship – Glass.1981

Collections

Corning Museum of Glass, Leaded Glass purchase.
State of Oregon Public Buildings: Pendelton, Eugene, Salem, La Grande.
State of Washington: Friday Harbor, Yakima, Battleground, Eatonville, Brownsville, Edmonds, Auburn, Kent, North Shore, Skagit, Edison, Tacoma.