Meet our gallery artists—each bringing a unique perspective, style, and creative voice to the exhibit. Here, you’ll find artist bios, a selection of their work, and links to explore more of what they create beyond the festival. At the event, these artists will be represented within the gallery space through one to two original works, thoughtfully displayed to create a cohesive and immersive experience. Many artists will also have prints available, offering additional ways to connect with and collect their work. We invite you to take your time, learn their stories, and discover the inspiration behind the art you’ll experience in the gallery.
2026 Gallery Artists
These fantastic Gallery Artists represent a curated collection of creatives whose work will be exhibited throughout the gallery during the festival. In addition to these artists, all Featured Artists highlighted above will also have work displayed in the gallery. Together, the Gallery Artists and Featured Artists form a cohesive exhibition that reflects the depth, diversity, and creative vision of Art on the River.
Reisa PetersReisa Peters has always been drawn to color, with a deep love for bold, vibrant landscapes and expressive patterns. During her husband’s 20-year Army career, she had the opportunity to attend workshops with accomplished artists including Dawn Whitelaw, Lori Putnam, Chad Boyd, Bill Fletcher, Kyle Martin, and Joy Thomas, as well as study locally with artists such as Barbara Gardner and colored pencil artist Dava Dahlgren. She now works primarily in watercolor, a medium she has grown deeply passionate about, and continues her artistic development under the guidance of local artist Helen Taylor Andrews. Now living in Enterprise, Alabama, Reisa finds inspiration in the surrounding landscapes and enjoys capturing the beauty of the region on both paper and canvas, considering herself both fortunate and deeply grateful for the artistic journey she continues to explore.
To see more of Reisa's work, go to: reisapeters.com |
M. YakimaM. Yakima is an award-winning artist whose work has been recognized across the Southeast for its expressive power, technical skill, and distinctive artistic voice. Over the past two decades, Yakima’s work has received honors in painting, drawing, watercolor, pastel, oils, mixed media, folk art, and photographic imagery at juried festivals, museum exhibitions, and regional art events. Notable recognitions include Best in Show at the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art’s ColOhr Festival, multiple Juror’s and Judge’s Awards, and top placements at festivals such as Red River Revel, Festival on the Green, Riverwalk Arts Festival, TroyFest, and Artoberfest. Yakima’s consistent recognition reflects a sustained commitment to artistic exploration and craftsmanship, with work that resonates across mediums and themes and continues to earn distinction within diverse juried contexts.
View more of M. Yakima' work on Poshmark: Angel 8 |
Schoen Heier BonuraSchoen Heier Bonura’s work is inspired by the natural beauty and energetic presence of crystals, blending fine art with Earth’s natural forms—especially geode structures. Founded in 2025, Eternal Elements Art by Schoen creates one-of-a-kind pieces guided by intuition, where layered resin and shimmering crystals reveal depth, movement, and light.
She creates commissioned and memorial works honoring meaningful moments and loved ones, including tribute art infused with a small portion of ashes from a human or pet. Each piece is titled and includes information about the energetic properties of the crystals used. In 2025, her work received multiple local exhibition honors, including a Merit Award, Honorable Mention, and 2nd Place in Mixed Media. Schoen lives in Enterprise, Alabama, and is also a 500-Hour RYT Yoga Instructor specializing in Ashtanga, Iyengar principles, and Yoga Nidra. You can Contact Schoen at: [email protected] |
Courtney MaddoxCourtney Maddox has been refining the process of long exposure photography for the better part of 15 years. Her 'light paintings' are a mixture of surrealism, imagination, and patience that validate the expression "there's more than meets the eye." Armed with an idea, various flashlights, a tripod, and the night sky, it never ceases to amaze her what she will capture next. Courtney says, "It's easy to maintain my focus with long exposure photography due to the nervous anticipation coupled with excitement during the process. The adrenaline spike felt when unrealistic expectations create incredible results is unparalleled." All of Courtney's light paintings are raw, unedited photos, as she is aggressive with preserving the natural state of the light she is capturing. She lives in Elba, AL with her husband and their vocal dog, Bowie. As a modern day renaissance woman, she can be found with her hands in just about anything, from speaking at tech conferences to daydreaming on her next big project. She wants to thank her friends and family for the support that has kept her grounded in creativity throughout the years. Her goal is to 'expose' more people to the various stages of light through the unique style of long exposure photography.
You can Contact Courtney at: [email protected] |
Rachel GoreRachel Gore is a mosaic and mixed-media artist based in Birmingham, Alabama. Her work explores themes of memory, transformation, and inner knowing through figurative and symbolic imagery that feels both personal and archetypal. Using hand-cut glass, found materials, and richly layered textures, she builds intimate pieces that balance fragility and strength, light and shadow. Her process is intuitive and contemplative, allowing stories to emerge through material and form rather than explanation. Her work invites quiet reflection, offering space for emotional resonance and personal meaning to unfold.
See more of Rachel's work on Instagram: @rachels_artstudio |
Heidi TilleryHeidi Tillery's artistic style is characterized by a love of loose forms, impressionism and abstract expressions, all brought to life with a playful palette of fun, lively colors. Drawing inspiration from her life experiences, family and friends, Heidi's work resonates with warmth and joy, inviting viewers to connect with the emotions behind each piece.
Always eager to try new techniques and mediums, Heidi enjoys the challenge of mixed medium styles, which allows her to express her creativity in diverse ways. Through her art, she seeks to bring happiness to others, making each creation not just a piece of art, but an experience filled with joy and imagination. You can find more of Heidi’s works at: Hue-la-la.com |
Jerri LedfordAfter decades as a professional storyteller, Jerri Ledford turned to watercolor as a new way to express what words could not. Based in Mobile, Alabama, she paints quiet scenes and hidden details, brought into clarity through her characteristic linework and thoughtful use of space. Her work is rooted in close observation and patience, inviting viewers to slow down, linger, and notice the subtle beauty often missed in everyday moments. She creates with the hope that viewers will discover their own meaning, memory, or moment of peace within the work. Jerri teaches watercolor classes at Coastal Makers.
You can see more of Jerri's work on TikTok: JerriCreates |
M. Gayle BoyetteM. Gayle Boyette returned to Alabama after many years living in Virginia and West Virginia. She returned to Alabama in 2021 and reconnected with her art community after taking a forty-year break from the easel. Once she started painting again, she returned to creating portraits straight away. Recently, she began painting life studies of subjects she found interesting during her travels. She also paints animals, particularly dogs, horses, and cats.
She recently exhibited her work at The Velvet Gallery in Dothan, Alabama. Her private studio is located in Slocomb, Alabama. She can be contacted through her Facebook page: Gayle Boyette Fine Art |
Judy ManorJudy Manor is a photographer who has enjoyed the art of photography for as long as she can remember. Her passion began at the age of six, when her father allowed her to use his Brownie box camera—an experience that sparked a lifelong love of capturing images. She went on to take photography classes in high school, where she learned to work with a 35mm SLR camera, develop film, print from negatives, and process photographs.
Throughout her life, Judy has rarely been without a camera in hand. She is especially drawn to photographing nature, animals, and architecture, with a particular appreciation for historic buildings. Judy worked for Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff for 24 years before retiring in 2022 and relocating to Enterprise. Since retiring, she has rediscovered her love of photography and considers it a true blessing to now have the time and space to fully explore and deepen her practice. Reach out to Judy on Facebook: Judy Manor |