Maryhill Museum of Art began its Outdoor Sculpture Invitational in 1996 to complement its extensive collection of Auguste Rodin sculptures and to give Northwest artists an opportunity to exhibit large-scale works. The success and popularity of the Invitational inspired the museum to permanently collect outdoor sculpture for its gardens and grounds.

In 1997 the museum began a permanent collection of outdoor sculpture with the commission of a site-specific sculpture for the eastern edge of the grounds by noted architect Brad Cloepfil. The work, Maryhill Overlook, is the first in a series that was conceived as the Sitings Project. It is the focal point of the museum’s Lewis and Clark Overlook and Native Plant Garden.

In 1999 the museum received Paterra by Heath Krieger from Elisabeth Wade, daughter of museum founder Samuel Hill. Since that time, the collection has grown and can be found scattered about the museum gardens. Today it consists of works by Northwest artists Tom Herrera, Mel Katz, Jill Torberson, Julian Voss-Andreae, Jeffrey Weitzel, and Leon White.

Julian Voss-Andreae, Quantum Man, 2007, bronze. Purchase Gift of Connie and Jack Bloxom		Mel Katz, Reveal Line, 1994, steel.Collection of Maryhill Museum of Art. Gift of Mel Katz and Dianne Anderson.
Tom Herrera, Queen for a Day, 2006, enamel on steel. Collection of Maryhill Museum of Art, gift of the Arthur G. Dunn Guild.
Jill Torberson, Fertility Petroglyph, 2006, steel. Collection of Maryhill Museum of Art.
Leon White, Moon Temple, 2006, granite and steel. Collection of Maryhill Museum of Art. Gift of Anthony J. Peterson in memory of June and Francis Peterson.