Northwind Art, alongside the Olympic Area Agency on Aging, is thrilled to offer a series of workshops for folks experiencing memory loss and their caregivers.

The Aging Creatively workshop series offers a welcoming and supportive space for individuals experiencing memory loss, and their caregivers, to connect through art. Led by experienced instructor Jodi Ericksen, these every-other-week sessions provide time for creative exploration, self-expression, and meaningful social engagement.

Based on the very successful Creative Aging program created by the Frye Art Museum in Seattle, these art classes are designed to foster connection, creativity, and cognitive engagement, enriching the lives of the people who take part.

Each session is thoughtfully designed to accommodate various skill levels, focusing on simple painting or mixed-media activities that stimulate cognitive function while fostering joy and connection. Caregivers and participants create side by side, strengthening their bonds through shared artistic experiences.

Held at the Northwind Art School at Fort Worden, these classes have all materials provided, ensuring accessibility for all. Whether rediscovering a love for art or trying something new, participants will leave each session with a sense of accomplishment, community, and creative inspiration.

Join us every other week as we celebrate creativity, connection, and the power of artistic expression!

SUPPLY INFORMATION

All materials are provided.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Jodi Ericksen is a local artist who in recent years has specialized in block printing, while also enjoying mixed media, collage, water color, oil pastels, acrylics, fiber arts and more. Her work stems from the soul, and she believes art comes from the places within us without words. She views the expression of art as an act of simply setting our minds free, as well as a place to connect with and release feelings and emotions. In addition to her work as an artist, she is also a mother, a massage therapist, and a graduate student in Seattle University’s Licensed Mental Health Counseling master's program. Her future intention is to work with clients by utilizing talk, somatic, and art therapies.

Funding for the aging Creatively program is provided by The Olympic Area Agency on Aging.

This course is limited to individuals diagnosed with memory loss and their caregivers.

One registration covers enrollment for two people. This is not a respite program. Individuals experiencing memory loss must be accompanied by their caregiver.

Registration is highly encouraged so that we have enough seating and an accurate amount of art-making supplies, however a limited number of walk-in spaces are available for each session.

Here's a rare opportunity to learn how to construct a functional floor broom that is also a piece of art! We'll start the morning with a short introduction to broom-making and its history, including a foray into the Shaker culture in Maine and instructor Dan Hawkins' connection to it.

Then we'll select our fibers, and while they're in buckets soaking and softening, we'll shape our wooden handles from blanks Dan provides. While we're shaping, Dan will lead a conversation about draw knives, wood grain, and finishing.

After lunch, with the handles shaped, we'll jump into the process of adding the sweeping head using the pre-soaked sorghum. We'll finish by learning how to stitch, clamp and flatten the fiber. During that process, Dan will share insights on technique, broom size, uses and more. From this workshop, you'll walk away with at least one completed broom, along with the ability to make more of them in the future.

LEVEL: Beginner to Intermediate

AGE GROUP: Adults (ages 18+)

SUPPLY INFORMATION

All materials and supplies are provided.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Dan Hawkins was born in Maine and has worked as an architect and carpenter in China, Denmark, England, and the United States. In 2021, he moved to Portland, OR, where he started Bodge, a platform for his sculpture, woodwork, and brooms. His work explores domestic tools, as well as the craft traditions and techniques associated with those objects. Dan also teaches broom-making and woodworking classes and workshops throughout the Pacific Northwest.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Please email admin@northwindart.org if you wish to withdraw or for more information.

Come join expert teaching artist Tracy Grisman for an afternoon of painting and drawing in the great outdoors. In this 3-hour workshop, Tracy will share techniques learned from her studies and practice through many years of painting. You will start by choosing a scene, and then you'll learn how to go about painting or drawing what you see, using concepts of perspective, color choices, composition, edges, focal points and more — all while having fun! 

This workshop is for beginning to intermediate painters who would like to participate in a class that takes place in part on the periphery of the Northwind Art summer gala, which starts at 2:30 p.m. at Fort Worden State Park. That's the last half-hour of the class, when we'll soak up the festive energy and camaraderie of the event. Gala guests will have a chance to observe the workshop students from a distance, and see Northwind Art School in action.

LEVEL: Advanced Beginner to Intermediate

AGE GROUP: Adult (ages 18+)

SUPPLY INFORMATION

Please bring a sun hat, water bottle, sunscreen and layers. You may also want to bring an apron, camera or viewfinder. 

All art supplies will be provided, but students are welcome to bring their own. A list of optional supplies will be provided upon registration. 

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR 

Tracy Grisman learned to paint with oils at Philadelphia College of Art in 1976 having won a Saturday school scholarship for young painters. Then while earning her nursing degree, Tracy learned more about the medium from Gary Moeller at Rogers State College in Oklahoma. Since then she has studied with oil painters Craig Nelson, Camille Przewodek, Daniel Keyes, Max Ginsburg, Peggy Kroll Roberts and others.   She has been a member of the Portrait of Society of America since 2005 and is a Cecilia Beaux member. 

Tracy has won many awards for her art, and has shown her work in many solo and group exhibits.  A lifelong learner, she continues to study with master painter Max Ginsburg. She particularly was drawn to portraiture at a young age, having asked many people to pose for her at a moment's notice.  In 1977 while living in Brazil as an exchange student with the American Field Service, she was inspired to continue with portraiture after drawing each family member of her Brazilian family. 

Tracy is excited to teach classes and share her knowledge with beginner to intermediate painters.  The main thing is to have fun while creating shapes of color!

Artist website: Tracy Grisman

CANCELLATION POLICY

Please email admin@northwindart.org if you wish to withdraw or for more information.

Northwind Art, alongside the Olympic Area Agency on Aging, is thrilled to offer a series of workshops for folks experiencing memory loss and their caregivers.

The Aging Creatively workshop series offers a welcoming and supportive space for individuals experiencing memory loss, and their caregivers, to connect through art. Led by experienced instructor Jodi Ericksen, these every-other-week sessions provide time for creative exploration, self-expression, and meaningful social engagement.

Based on the very successful Creative Aging program created by the Frye Art Museum in Seattle, these art classes are designed to foster connection, creativity, and cognitive engagement, enriching the lives of the people who take part.

Each session is thoughtfully designed to accommodate various skill levels, focusing on simple painting or mixed-media activities that stimulate cognitive function while fostering joy and connection. Caregivers and participants create side by side, strengthening their bonds through shared artistic experiences.

Held at the Northwind Art School at Fort Worden, these classes have all materials provided, ensuring accessibility for all. Whether rediscovering a love for art or trying something new, participants will leave each session with a sense of accomplishment, community, and creative inspiration.

Join us every other week as we celebrate creativity, connection, and the power of artistic expression!

SUPPLY INFORMATION

All materials are provided.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Jodi Ericksen is a local artist who in recent years has specialized in block printing, while also enjoying mixed media, collage, water color, oil pastels, acrylics, fiber arts and more. Her work stems from the soul, and she believes art comes from the places within us without words. She views the expression of art as an act of simply setting our minds free, as well as a place to connect with and release feelings and emotions. In addition to her work as an artist, she is also a mother, a massage therapist, and a graduate student in Seattle University’s Licensed Mental Health Counseling master's program. Her future intention is to work with clients by utilizing talk, somatic, and art therapies.

Funding for the aging Creatively program is provided by The Olympic Area Agency on Aging.

This course is limited to individuals diagnosed with memory loss and their caregivers.

One registration covers enrollment for two people. This is not a respite program. Individuals experiencing memory loss must be accompanied by their caregiver.

Registration is highly encouraged so that we have enough seating and an accurate amount of art-making supplies, however a limited number of walk-in spaces are available for each session.

In this weekend workshop, you'll build your skills and confidence and create a stylish, custom-fit top to wear. True beginners to intermediate sewists are welcome and encouraged! Using a pattern, you will select a style that suits and flatters your shape, then learn how to read and interpret pattern instructions, lay out and cut fabric, make size adjustments and work with interfacing to add structure where needed.

Guided step-by-step through the garment construction process, you will gain hands-on experience while learning expert tips and techniques from Evette Allerdings, who brings a degree in fashion design and more than 27 years of experience as a professional theatrical costumer.

LEVEL: Beginner to Intermediate

AGE GROUP: Adults (ages 15+)

SUPPLY INFORMATION

The following supplies are provided:

• Mix-and-match top pattern (with multiple neckline, sleeve, and pocket styles);
• Interfacing;
• Clear snap;
• Sewing machine needle.

Students should bring the following:

• Sewing machine (if you have one) with a basic sewing foot and bobbin. Reach out to admin@northwindart.org if you would like to use one of Northwind’s sewing machines 
• Fabric:
  • Beginners: 2¼ yards (45”) of cotton or cotton/poly blend. Optional ½ yard of contrast fabric if desired;
  • Intermediate: Fabric suitable for a top — 2¼ yards (45”) or 2 yards (60”);
  • Optional: contrast fabric if desired;
• Matching thread (50wt, all-purpose);
• Measuring tape;
• Fabric and paper scissors;
• Glass-head pins or fabric clips and a hand-sewing needle;
• Cutting mat (if you have one);
• Notepad and pen.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Evette Allerdings is an artist whose primary work is silk paintings, while she also sews, embroiders, beads, quilts, designs, and much more. She was born, raised, and lived in Hawaii for the majority of her life, and moved to Washington in 2018. Evette has a BS degree in Fashion Design and is a multi-award winning costumer. Always searching for the perfect fabric for a costume, Evette ventured into painting on silk in 2015 and found a new passion. She started by attempting to create the design of a vintage kimono, which was inspired by childhood memories of her grandmother dressing Evette up in the most colorful kimonos to celebrate Girls' Day. She still loves color and all her paintings are quite colorful. Evette won first place in the 2D division at the 2021 Silk Painters International Festival for her piece Solace. She also won the People's Choice Honorable Mention Award in 2022 for Goodbye Dad.

Artist website: Evette Allerdings

CANCELLATION POLICY

Please email admin@northwindart.org if you wish to withdraw or for more information.

This course introduces students to the art and craft of silversmithing. Teaching artist Sarah Calautti will guide students through the process of creating a simple ring including forming a bezel, soldering, cutting out and filing backplates, forming a ring shank, burnishing a bezel around a stone, and adding textured details.

Students will work with an open flame torch, soldering flux, various tools, and sterling silver to create their very own heirloom. Bringing your own special piece of sea glass is encouraged, but various stones will also be available for you to choose from. Students must be able to hold a torch, pliers, and files for short amounts of time. No previous experience is required and Sarah provides all of your supplies.

TOTAL COST: $180

Course Fee: $120

Non-refundable Materials Fee: $60

LEVEL: Beginner to Advanced

AGE GROUP: Adult (ages 18+), Youth (ages 16-17)

SUPPLY INFORMATION

All required materials and tools will be provided, however students can bring their own special cabochon or piece of sea glass if they wish.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Sarah Calautti is a self-taught silversmith who blends traditional, southwestern silversmithing techniques with Pacific Northwestern scenes. She began her journey as a silversmith while living full-time in a school bus. After landing on the Olympic Peninsula and becoming enveloped in its maritime forests and kelp beds, her work has become a direct reflection of the beauty that she finds here.

Artist website: Ómós Jewelry, @omosjewelry

DISCOUNTS

This course is eligible for a 10% member discount at the Supporter level and beyond. Get a membership today!

Don's Pharmacy and Art Toolkit in Port Townsend offer a 10% discount for Northwind Art School students.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Please email admin@northwindart.org if you wish to withdraw or for more information.

In this two-day workshop, you will interpret your observations of the Fort Worden State Park environment to create abstract art that is wholly your own. You’ll also expand your artist’s eye by learning different ways of seeing, loosen your grip on realism, and move into an exploration of essence. Teaching artist Meg Kaczyk guides you in an iterative approach, so you can lean into a variety of mediums, including watercolor, graphite, oil pastel and cut paper, to personally express the magic of the Olympic Peninsula landscape. Along the way, creative process insights are shared that can free your hand and strengthen your visual voice. 

LEVEL: Beginner to Intermediate

AGE GROUP: Adult (ages 18+), Youth (ages 15-17)

SUPPLY INFORMATION

Students should bring:

• A smartphone or tablet with a camera or a digital camera. Photographing in the field can be the sole or supplemental source material for the workshop’s studio sessions.
• Whatever they may normally use for outdoor, informal field sketching such as portable sketchbook, watercolors, pencils, pastels, etc. Sketching in the field can be the sole or supplemental source material for the workshop’s studio sessions.

All other course materials and supplies are provided.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Meg Kaczyk guides artists of all levels in classes and workshops based on her own studio process. Her work is fed by daily life, the natural world, poetry, and a long-standing meditation practice. Originally trained as an illustrator and graphic designer, Meg has enjoyed a long creative career including art direction, graphic design, arts administration, and teaching. She exhibits her paintings across the region.

Artist website: Meg Kaczyk, @megkaczyk

CANCELLATION POLICY

Please email admin@northwindart.org if you wish to withdraw or for more information.

Since May 2018, Print Night has been a monthly gathering of photographers interested in showing, looking at, and talking about prints in a casual, friendly environment. You do not need to share prints to participate in Print Night, so everyone is encouraged to come be part of the conversation and get some inspiration too. Participants can bring up to six prints-- in color or black and white, digital or darkroom, finished or in progress.

We hope you will join host Rick York and a vibrant community of photographers and photography enthusiasts on the second Monday of every month from 6:30pm - 9pm!

There is a $5 suggested donation at the door.

After registration additional course details will be provided by Print Night host Rick York to participants via email.

LEVEL: Beginner to Advanced

AGE GROUP: All ages