NW Saltzman Road Sculpture Garden - Forest Park
- Kati Cooke
- Sep 15
- 3 min read
Almost a year ago I began my quest to hike every single (open) trail in Forest Park. I am maybe 80% of the way there, and hope to finish this fall. Throughout my journey, I've discovered a lot of nature, but there was one place that stands out as extremely unique and quintessentially Portland.
Ken Zell's "Flea Zorkus" on NW Saltzman Road
I drove out to the NW Saltzman Trailhead with the intention of doing a quick hike. Traveling east on NW St. Helens Road, take a left turn onto NW Saltzman Road. After a few minutes of driving, you might start to notice some unusual sculptures.
The first unusual sight is a sign warning of "laundry ahead." A few feet later, neon colored sculptures start to appear, and finally, you'll reach the property of Ken Zell, the owner of the "Flea Zorkus," otherwise known as Fellini's Accidental Circus.
A Sculpture Garden in the Woods
Ken's work is brightly colored and inspired by mathematics, physics, and whimsy - with a touch of steampunk(?). His roadside sculptures include a City of Lost Toasters, a row of bathroom stalls, and a Bunny Church.
You'll find a sign saying "Always Open, Sometimes Closed." I was happy to see this, because for a few minutes I worried I was trespassing on someone's property. A colorful gate takes you into the main exhibit, labeled "Fellini's Accidental Circus," named after Italian director Federico Fellini.
Once you're in the exhibit, you can walk on very well maintained paths to view the sculptures. There is a carrot cart launcher, pencils flying into a dartboard, several go-kart style vehicles, and a gazebo titled the "Flea Zorkus."
Ken Zell - The Artist Behind the NW Saltzman Road Sculptures
My husband and I were lucky enough to run into Mr. Zell as we explored the exhibit, and he gave us a tour of his property, including a behind-the-scenes look at what he's currently working on. One of the first questions we asked Ken was simple - what's the story behind all this? Ken's answer was also simple. He just said, "It's me! My art is me."
Mr. Zell has a background in philosophy and mathematics, and runs a commercial woodworking company called Faustrollean Fixture Co. I couldn't find a website for Faustrollean, but looked at their Facebook page and was blown away by the craftsmanship. Mr. Zell's passion is "pataphysics," which he defines as the science of imaginary solutions to non-existent problems. Unbounded imagination with no connection to reality.
We even got to see some of Ken's private exhibits in his yard - I did not take photos of these because I don't want to encourage trespassing into his home, but his website does says virtual tours coming soon! I've included the link at the end of this article, where you can see photos of his sculptures and learn more.
We had a wonderful time chatting with Ken, and I left feeling blessed to live in a city where people are free to be as creative as they want and embrace the weird Portland stereotype. As much as I love raw, untouched nature, there's something exciting about stumbling upon an absurdist art gallery tucked into the woods!
It is very difficult to capture the immersive experience of the NW Saltzman Road Sculpture Garden through photos, so I will leave you with a quick video from my trip.
Quick Facts and Links
Location: 6064-6086 NW Saltzman Rd, Portland, OR 97210
Allows dogs!
Free, but the artist takes donations via QR code
Difficulty: The roadside sculptures are a great accessible option for those who cannot hike or walk up steep, unpaved trails. They can be seen from the car. The majority of the garden is on a slope, with gravel pathways with handrails. Maybe 0.1 miles total walking? It's quite small, but lots to see!
Time Commitment: Allow 10-30 minutes, depending on how much you enjoy pondering all the sculptures. If you run into Ken, or set up an appointment with him, allow an hour to fully enjoy the tour.
Ken's Website: https://thefleazorkus.com/
Faustrollean Fixture Co: https://www.facebook.com/Faustrollean
Willamette Week article: https://www.wweek.com/arts/visual-arts/2023/02/08/our-hikes-start-with-mysterious-art-installations/
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