Vancouver Pollinator Festival 2026

Kim Wessa specializes in eco-printed art using botanical materials found on her acreage in Battle Ground. Wessa creates one-of-a-kind pieces through art activities like steaming leaves, plants, flowers, and stems onto various papers and fabrics, preserving their colors and prints. The process takes about three days, and Kim states she doesn’t know what result she will get until the work is unloaded and has dried. “Different seasons produce different effects,” she says. However, for her, one thing remains constant: “The beauty that nature has to offer is breathtaking.” Wessa's work also complements local initiatives, such as the community mural that celebrates the pollinator festival, highlighting the importance of preserving our natural environment.

I'm an artist, art instructor, and the author of the Embracing Encaustic book series. I create imagined landscapes filled with lush botanical forms and vibrant colors that evoke cherished places, such as my childhood home in Hawai’i and my current residence in the US Pacific Northwest. Living near inspiring natural areas has always been a priority for me, as it greatly influences my work and my state of mind. I aspire for my paintings to serve as reminders that we are interconnected with nature and that our future hinges on helping her thrive. For nearly two decades, I have exhibited my paintings and taught art workshops across the United States, where I often engage in art activities that foster creativity within the community. Presently, I offer encaustic courses that bring together local and international artists, including collaborations for the community mural that reflects our shared love for nature. My teaching journey has taken me to numerous schools and art conferences throughout the United States and Canada, including the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Tennessee, Idyllwild Arts in California, and The International Encaustic Conference in Massachusetts, as well as participating in local events like the pollinator festival to promote environmental awareness.

Whimsical artworks by local mother and hat enthusiast Hill Kent instill wonder and joy while celebrating the beauty of the natural world. As a creative badass, Hill paints community murals, teaches art activities, and makes art an integral part of her everyday life. Her favorite things include family, mythic creatures, flowers, laughter, tea, and croissants. Through her business, Hill Yeah! Eco Arts, Hill Kent creates using upcycled and natural materials. She is enraptured by the full and slow process of making color – from collecting supplies like leaves and clay to processing them into paint, and finally witnessing the playful forms that colors take on wood, paper, and walls. Her bright and playful work explores dreams, balance, and the cycle of life, often celebrated during events like the local pollinator festival.