Meet Stormwater Gardener Karen Murphy

Columbia Open Studios | Saturday, March 28 | Noon–3:00 p.m.

Stormwater Studios Gardener Karen Murphy will be onsite during Columbia Open Studios on Saturday, March 28, from noon to 2:00 p.m., sharing a selection of her artwork inspired by a lifelong love of nature.

Visitors are also invited to join Karen for a guided tour of the native plant garden from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., where she will discuss the garden’s history and highlight some of her favorite plants for pollinators.

Karen will be displaying original paintings, drawings, and assemblages that express the beauty and mystery of the natural world—both real and imagined. Visitors can also browse a small selection of perennials and seed packs, a natural extension of her passion for growing and nurturing living things.

Karen’s dedication to wildlife and the natural environment has made her a familiar and beloved figure in Columbia’s art, garden, and educational communities. Raised in Minnesota, she developed an early appreciation for native plants and ecosystems, which was encouraged by her parents who fostered her curiosity and respect for the natural world. This passion continued through her academic studies at Brown University and Lesley University, where environmental education remained central to her work.

After moving to Columbia in 1990, Karen founded Karen’s Garden Care, a business dedicated to creating sustainable, pollinator-friendly gardens. For more than 20 years, she has transformed gardens throughout the city, enriching both the landscape and the community.

Be sure to stop by Stormwater Studios to meet Karen, view her work, and enjoy a conversation about art, gardens, and her enduring love of nature.