This class is for beginners with a little or no experience painting with acrylics, as well as for those who are coming back to painting and would like a little help getting started again. We’ll explore the basics of acrylics including materials, different surfaces, brushes and other tools, then a little about color theory, color mixing, paint application, and composition. 

In this fun one-day workshop, teaching artist Beth Herrild takes you through her creative process.  She will demo how she paints trees, and you'll then create a background and paint your own trees or whatever subjects you choose. You'll also have a chance to paint on a couple of different surfaces. She’ll share many pro tips she’s learned over the years from different ways to get an image onto your canvas to how to trouble shoot the messy middle when things aren’t going well. 

The natural world is full of endless inspiration! Beth loves painting trees because they are easy to draw: nature comes in all shapes and sizes and isn't perfect! When you complete the class, you'll have one completed (or almost complete) painting, and you'll be ready to take your paints and brushes home and continue painting and exploring on your own. 

TOTAL COST: $155

Course Fee: $155

Materials Fee: $0

LEVEL: Beginner

AGE GROUP: Adult (ages 18+)

SUPPLY INFORMATION

At minimum, you should bring acrylic paints in the three primary colors: a red, yellow, and blue of your choosing, plus Titanium white, and black. Feel free to bring whatever other colors you like as well. No craft paints. Beth recommends Liquitex or Golden heavy body paints, professional or student grade are both ok.  If you already have some tubes of another brand they should work (as long as they're not liquid craft paints).

For brushes, Beth recommends having at least a couple of flats, around 1/2" wide and around 1" inch wide at minimum and then any other sizes you enjoy.

Bring your own canvas or canvas board at least 11 x 14 but no larger than 16 x 20. Beth enjoys cradled wood panels like these. Northwind Art School usually has some extra surfaces available for students to use but we can’t guarantee what the selection will be so it’s safest to bring your own.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Beth Herrild is a mixed media acrylic painter on Whidbey Island. Her work is rooted in a lifelong conversation with creativity that began in childhood and has since evolved into a dedicated practice of both art and education. Her work is representational but not realistic intentionally so that she can create a space where viewers feel grounded, comfortable, and deeply invited to linger. She has an undergraduate degree in Fine Arts and a Master's in Whole Systems Design. In addition to teaching at Northwind Art School for the past 3 years, she taught art to children, as an art docent, in public schools for over 12 years, taught at a juvenile detention center, worked with youth & young adults experiencing homelessness, and currently teaches inmates at the Island County jail because she believes in the power of art to transform our brains in positive ways. She has shown her work at a variety of galleries including Cultus Bay Glass Gallery Museo Gallery, Columbia City Gallery, Northwind Art, Jeanette Best Gallery, Fogue Studios, Matzke Gallery, Parkland Gallery and Los Lagunas Gallery. 

Artist Website: Beth Herrild, @bethherrild_art

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

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

Northwind Art, alongside Aging & Adult Services of Coastal Washington, 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 Aging & Adult Services of Coastal Washington.

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.

The Bunker is a free program for teens in sixth through 12th grades: a safe, no-pressure place to learn and make art. We have created an encouraging art space with professional artists. Friday afternoons in the classroom at Northwind Art School, the teaching artists give demonstrations and work alongside the teens on a variety of projects. Snacks are provided! Teens have a chance to express themselves, collaborate with one another and find their own creative voices. The Bunker’s founders include Margie McDonald, Julie Read and Michele Soderstrom. Many other generous artists have shared, and continue to share, their skills and creativity.

Bunker is co-hosted by Northwind Art and PTArtscape.

A parent/guardian permission slip is required for all participants. A new one needs to be filled out every academic year. The form can be accessed and filled out here.

Fall 2026 Bunker Schedule:

October

Oct. 2: Welcome and planning for the new school year

Oct. 9: Special effects makeup

Oct. 16: BUNKER CANCELLED

Oct. 23: Costume Party!

Oct. 30: Free Draw

November

Nov. 6: Free Draw

Nov. 13: Stay tuned: activity to be announced

Nov. 20: Free Draw

Nov. 27: NO BUNKER, THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

December

Dec. 4- Stay tuned: activity to be announced

Dec. 11- Free Draw

Dec. 18- Stay tuned: activity to be announced

Dec. 25 NO BUNKER, HOLIDAY

Pre-registration is not required, but highly encouraged!

Thank you to 1st Security Bank of Washington and Oregon for its generous support of the Bunker! We are grateful for this local bank's sponsorship of art programming for youth.

Curious about oil painting but not sure where to start? The Essentials of Oil Painting is a 6-session class that introduces you to the vibrant, expressive world of painting in oils, and without toxic solvents. No prior experience is required. Whether you're an artist working in another medium, or completely new to painting, or an oil painter looking to explore the dynamic alla prima technique, this class is for you.

Alla prima, meaning “all at once,” is a lively, direct painting method where wet paint is applied over wet layers without waiting for them to dry. It’s favored by plein air landscape and still life artists for its energetic, spontaneous quality that captures your gestures and decisions in real time. 

In this hands-on workshop series, you'll start with guided color-mixing exercises to get comfortable handling oils and brushes, while exploring color theory. From there, you'll apply your new skills to still lifes from observation, and then move on to landscapes, learning to work confidently with shape, value, and color in the alla prima style.

Just show up ready to paint, and Anne Pfeiffer will guide you! To help you continue learning after the class, you’ll receive a PDF handout with notes, recommended artists, and resources to deepen your oil painting practice.

TOTAL COST: $435

Course Fee: $395

Materials Fee: $40

LEVEL: Beginner to Advanced

AGE GROUP: Adults (Ages 18+)

SUPPLY INFORMATION

All materials are provided, including non-toxic paints, mediums, and thinners. All you need is to show up in your painting clothes, perhaps with a sketchbook for notes or quick sketches. 

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Anne Pfeiffer has a graduate degree in painting and decades of experience as a high school art teacher, community college art instructor, and adult and teen workshop instructor. She currently lives in Port Angeles and paints landscapes and still lifes, often plein air, and participates in regional and national exhibitions and events.

Artist websites: Anne Pfeiffer, @annepfeifferartist and @annepfeiffer

Join artist Kate Dwyer for a hands-on, one-day workshop where you'll explore the unique and creative process of making fabric maché bowls. Kate will guide you step by step through the techniques she uses to transform fabric into beautifully textured, one-of-a-kind forms.

You’ll have the opportunity to bring your own cotton or silk fabrics to incorporate personal touches into your work, or you can choose from the selection of materials provided by the instructor. As you shape and layer your fabric, you’ll learn about design, structure, and finishing techniques to create a sturdy yet delicate form.

By the end of the workshop, you’ll have one or two handmade bowls to take home, where they will continue to dry and cure. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced maker, this class is a wonderful way to experiment with new materials and discover an exciting approach to textile-based sculpture in a fun and supportive environment.

TOTAL COST: $110

Course Fee: $100

Materials Fee: $10

LEVEL: Beginner to Advanced

AGE GROUP: Adult (ages 18+)

SUPPLY INFORMATION

If you have them, you can bring:

• Silk and/or cotton fabric that you want to include in your project.
• Rotary cutters or fabric scissors.
• Cutting mats.

Thread, fabric, adhesives, and balloons will be provided. Northwind Art School has many tools and supplies that students can use if they don't have their own to bring.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

What it comes down to is that Kate Dwyer is compelled to make stuff — gardens, glass paintings, necklaces, tortured egg shells, fabric and thread bowls, batik, essays. Kate's formal training was in horticulture/landscape design. The rest is self-taught. Her classes are well-attended and well-loved and she excited to share her techniques with other artists!

Artist website: Kate Dwyer

In this new workshop, you'll explore the tactile, expressive, and meditative qualities of shape and line. Teaching artist Meg Kaczyk will guide you through simple visual prompts that inspire symbol-making. Over two hours, you'll develop your own personal visual vocabulary through repetition, creating unique symbols using a variety of dry and wet media — including sumi ink, charcoal, acrylic, and graphite — as well as subtractive techniques like erasure and resist.

Mark-making as a practice encourages relaxation while building a practical understanding of how different media respond to different surfaces, helping you develop line and symbol as elements of your art. You'll leave with a bound booklet of your exploration pages.

TOTAL COST: $90

Course Fee: $60

Materials Fee: $30

LEVEL: Beginner to Intermediate

AGE GROUP: Ages 15+ 

SUPPLY INFORMATION

All 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

Ready to quiet your inner critic, and just play with paint? This expanded 4 ½-hour workshop is all about jumping into the colorful world of cold wax and oil painting — with zero expectations and maximum fun. The extra time gives us room to slow down, experiment, build multiple layers, experience the magic of cold wax and oil, and—most importantly—play without feeling rushed.

We’ll explore the magic of making messes, happy accidents, and discovering what happens when you let go of needing it to be “good.” We’ll dive deep into texture, mark-making, and the delicious satisfaction of layering and scraping paint.

In this relaxed yet dynamic class, you’ll learn:

• The Mix: How to blend cold wax with oil paint (it’s like frosting!).
• The Texture: Using tools to build rich, touchable surfaces.
• The Marks: Using everyday objects to create visually interesting patterns.
• The Reveal: The joy of layering — and then scraping it all back to see what’s underneath.
• The Flow: Working on multiple pieces at once to keep the creativity moving.

Perfect for: Total beginners, "stuck" creatives, or anyone who’s ever said “I’m not an artist.” (Spoiler: You are!)

TOTAL COST: $135

Course Fee: $110

Materials Fee: $25

LEVEL: Beginner to Advanced

AGE GROUP: Ages 15+

SUPPLY INFORMATION

All supplies including paints, surfaces, and wax will be provided. You are welcome to bring old paintings to paint over! To prepare them for class, lightly sand the surface and prime with Gesso. 

Students will have a half-hour lunch break and are encouraged to pack a lunch. 

This is a fragrance-free classroom. Please refrain from wearing perfume, cologne, or other strongly scented products.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Raised in Washington State by mountaineering and sailing parents, Suz Carroll grew up with nature as her closest companion. Years spent watching clouds shift, water sparkle, and horizons stretch continue to inspire her abstract paintings today.

After a long career in business, art found her. She wasn't looking for it and had never considered herself particularly creative, despite a career filled with creative pursuits.

In early 2023, she began painting daily, discovering a passion for cold wax and oil, a medium that invites exploration, experimentation, and the unexpected.

Her work is inspired by the natural world: its layers, textures, movement, and constant transformation. Through an intuitive process of building, scraping, and revealing, she creates paintings that balance intention with spontaneity.

Suz approaches both painting and teaching with five guiding principles: create without attachment, create with joy, embrace imperfection, know when to step away, and always go with the flow.

Artist website: Horizon and Spice Studio