We’re thrilled to announce the three finalists selected to submit proposals for the Wonder Garden Sculpture Project! This project is made possible by a generous donation .
We were truly honored by the level of interest in this opportunity and deeply appreciated the many thoughtful and compelling applications we received. Thank you to everyone who applied, it was a privilege to spend time with your work.
After careful review, the selection committee has invited M.J. Anderson, Juan Ferreira, and Travis Stewart to move forward with full proposals for a public artwork to be installed at the entrance to our beloved Wonder Garden. Final proposals will be reviewed in September, at which time one artist will be selected by the committee. Please join us un congratulating these talented artists, and we can’t wait to share more with you soon!
Meet the Finalists…
Juan Ferreira
Juan Ferreira is a Colombian-born, multidisciplinary artist and design professional based in Nehalem, Oregon. His practice exists in the gray areas between art, furniture, and architecture, blurring the boundary between aesthetic expression and utility while challenging traditional notions of space, form, and function. Since relocating to the Oregon Coast in 2022, Juan’s work has been increasingly influenced by the area’s rugged landscapes, its unique architectural vernaculars, and the flora and fauna that thrive in this environment.
M.J. Anderson
Local Nehalem artist M.J. Anderson creates marble sculptures that are a synthesis of ancient, classical and contemporary influences for public art, liturgical and private commissions as well as personal work for gallery exhibition.
Travis Stewart
Travis Stewart brings a lifelong dedication to the preservation and understanding of the Artwork of the 
Columbia & Willamette Valley Tribes. He works as the curator at Chachalu Museum and Cultural Center for the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, where his primary focus is on the sculptural design and artwork of the Columbia River and Willamette Valley people. He is a founding member of the Waka Nim Art Collective and sawash ili?i kanim tilixam which imparts traditional teaching and practice to tribal youth. Travis has served as an apprentice for the past 15 years under a master carver, working in wood and studying the traditional carving methods/styles of the Northwest Coast, with a Primary focus on the art of the Columbia River and Willamette Valley tribes.