Charissa Brock has spent nearly three decades exploring bamboo as both an artistic medium and a living plant. Her work bridges sculpture, craft, ecology, and traditional technique, drawing on years of hands-on experience creating art and working closely with bamboo in cultivated groves.

Trained by bamboo expert Ned Jaquith, founder of Bamboo Garden, Brock developed a deep understanding of bamboo cultivation, growth habits, and the remarkable versatility of the material. That knowledge continues to shape both her artwork and her teaching.

Known for her warm and accessible teaching style, Brock offers workshops ranging from single-day experiences to immersive week-long classes at her studio in Beaverton and at Bamboo Garden in North Plains. She has also taught at nationally respected craft schools including Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, and Oregon College of Art and Craft.

Whether introducing beginners to bamboo for the first time or guiding experienced artists deeper into material exploration, Brock teaches with an emphasis on curiosity, creativity, and confidence-building. Her classes encourage students to slow down, work with their hands, and connect more deeply with the natural world through making.

Through both her artwork and workshops, Brock shares a lifelong passion for the beauty, utility, and expressive potential of bamboo.