Mother Earth embodied creativity, sustainability, and the beauty of the season.
True to her name, she will be returned to the earth, completing her circle of life~
Congratulations to artists Kami Olsen and Beth Schaleben.
Their Mother Earth Scarecrow was voted a favorite by Garden visitors.
Inagural Exhibit Enthusiasm
The first “Scarecrows In The Garden” exhibit was met with incredible community enthusiasm, with each scarecrow enjoying plenty of love…and votes!
Thank you to all who participated for bringing creativity, humor, and a touch of fall magic to Ortenstone Gardens!
Imaginative "Scarecrows In The Garden" Entries & Artists
· Autumn Dance by Emily Buermann
· Bob Ross by the Boys & Girls Club
· Future’s Garden by Sad Baddies Club
· Mother Earth by Kami Olsen & Beth Schaleben
· Scarallina Ballerina by Laker Dance Team
· Sister Suffragist by League of Women Voters
· Willie Wirehand gets WATT-A-SCARE by Detroit Lakes Public Utilities
+ “Moth”erly Love by Project 412, a non-ballot entry
See all the Scarecrows In The Garden
Voting Opportunity
The scarecrows were on display in the Gardens from Wednesday, October 22, through Sunday, November 30, 2025.
Ortenstone Gardens & Sculpture Park visitors were invited to vote for their favorite scarecrow by scanning the QR code displayed on each scarecrow exhibit sign—which led them to a ballot on the Ortenstone Gardens & Sculpture Park website.
Top Honors
Earning top honors was Mother Earth by Kami Olsen and Beth Schaleben, winner of the “favorite scarecrow” title and $150 in Detroit Lakes Chamber Bucks. Crafted almost entirely from natural materials gathered from yard waste and woodland walks—with thrifted accents to complete her look—Mother Earth embodied creativity, sustainability, and the beauty of the season. Even her jewelry was fashioned from repurposed acorn caps. True to her name, she will be returned to the earth after her time in the Gardens, completing her circle of life.
Mother Earth
By Kami Olsen & Beth Schaleben
Mother Earth is created from nearly all natural materials collected from yard waste piles and trips to the woods with some thrifted elements to finish her off. Even acorn caps have been repurposed for her "jewelry." She is natural + organic and will be returned to the earth after her appearance here so she can be part of the circle of life once again.