Meet three residents infusing their coastal towns with creative ventures and events.
The Oregon Coast is a great place for the arts, not only because of its inspiring natural beauty, but also because of its many residents who are doing their part to infuse the region with creativity. Just ask fashion designer Becky Tonkin, cultural center director Niki Price and artist-curator Spencer Reynolds, three residents who are helping make the Coast a more culturally rich place.
Learn more about these culture makers — and find out everything you need to know about visiting the Oregon Coast — in the 2025-2026 edition of the Oregon Coast Inspiration Guide, which will be available to the public at the end of May. Read on for a sneak peek.
Becky Tonkin
Co-Owner, Shift + Wheeler, Astoria
Fashion designer Becky Tonkin is on a mission: to make beautiful, high-quality garments that honor — and look fabulous on — different bodies. Her inspiration came from her own frustrations navigating the restricted confines of mainstream sizes and cuts. “As a plus-size person, and short too, finding anything off the rack was nearly impossible,” she says. “I began Shift simply because I wanted clothes that I could wear that I liked.”
You can find Tonkin’s timeless, all-body-inclusive apparel at Shift + Wheeler, which Tonkin co-founded with bag designer Nicholas Wheeler. Creating a space that’s safe and inclusive is at the core of their mission. “We have a big sign out front that says ‘For fats and queers and everyone else,’ and it truly draws people in,” Tonkin explains. The duo has also launched a series of workshops, where guests can learn how to make everything from waxed-canvas tote bags to Tonkin’s ultra-popular suspender dresses.
Niki Price
Executive Director, Lincoln City Cultural Center
Niki Price knows the importance of making art accessible to all. She grew up in a small community and, as a youth, was frustrated that her hometown didn’t have the cultural activities she desired. “That shut-out feeling I had growing up — the idea that fascinating art, beautiful music and world cultures exist but only for people who live in big cities — drives my work today,” she says. And as the executive director of the Lincoln City Cultural Center, she’s determined to make sure that the arts are within reach of the whole community.
The center offers classes in topics ranging from ceramics to dance, along with two galleries and regular live-music performances. Price also encourages visitors to explore the center’s outdoor Cultural Plaza. Highlights include an installation about the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians and “Poppy,” a huge moveable sculpture where a push springs it into action. Price suggests moseying down the wheelchair-accessible Poetry Path before stopping to check out the collection of outdoor instruments, where you can create your own tunes. She also suggests you visit Gary, the concrete octopus by Dreamland Skateparks.
Spencer Reynolds
Artist and Owner, Semi Aquatic Gallery, Brookings
Spencer Reynolds is not only an artist; he’s also a curator. Reynolds — who grew up in Brookings — is the founder of Semi Aquatic Gallery, which combines the best of an art gallery and a local-centric gift shop under one roof. Here you’ll find a large collection of Reynolds’ vivid, coastal-inspired paintings, prints and clothing along with unique gift items, about half of which come from local businesses. “I wanted a space to showcase my art and create unique items that locals and tourists alike could only find here,” says Reynolds. “It feels great to support other small businesses, to have a permanent venue for my creations and to contribute a unique cultural space to my small community.”
If you can’t make it to Brookings, you can still see Reynolds’ illustrations in Dirty Freehub’s “Oregon Coast Gravel Guide,” a pocket handbook that showcases some of the best attractions and gravel-biking routes on the Oregon Coast. “My favorite part of working on the Gravel Guide was working with all the cool people involved,” he says. “I was really honored to be chosen for that opportunity.”
– By Margot Bigg
Top photo: painting by Spencer Reynolds