WORKSHOPS + CLASSES

check out our fall term course catalog!

Fall Term workshop + class registration will open on August 6th @ 8am!

Email phoebe@northpolestudio.org to be added to our class registration email list and receive an email when the registration link is live!

register for classes here!

  • Monday / Thursday Independent Art

    Mondays from September 14 - November 2 | 3:00 - 4:30 | $215

    OR

    Thursdays from September 17 - November 5 | 10:00 - 11:30 | $215

    This non-instructional class provides artists with the studio tools, materials, and support to work on their own independent art projects.

  • Wednesday Skillshare

    Wednesdays from September 16 - November 4 | $215

    Session 1: 12:30 - 2:00

    OR

    Session 2: 3:00 - 4:30

    Taught by many local artists, this weekly class gives artists the chance to expand their creative practice across many mediums. This term, we’ll explore sashiko embroidery, ceramics, papermaking, and more!

  • Thursday Intensive: Playing with Paint

    Thursdays from September 17 - November 5 | 1:00 - 3:00 | $215

    Join teaching artist Marissa Perez for an 8-week exploration of drawing. We will explore different drawing mediums, paper and techniques with a focus on play! There are no bad drawings! This class offers a welcoming, hands-on entry point into drawing.

  • Monthly Monday Figure Drawing Co-op


    Mondays on August 31, September 21, October 5, October 19, November 2, November 16, December 7 | 5:00-6:30 | $25

    Draw from life as costumed models strike dynamic, themed poses in fun, themed classes. No two sessions are the same!

    Sign up for each session separately.

  • Fierce Drag Jewels: Deep Dive into Drag Makeup and Character Creation


    Wednesday August 26 | 10:00-2:00 | $75 + $25 Materials Fee

    Join Sophia Marthaller for a deep dive into drag makeup and character creation. Use your face as a canvas as you turn yourself into a fierce drag diva! Participants will learn about different makeup and fashion styles within the drag community and apply them to create your own unique drag character.

  • Friday Deep Dive: Paper Puppets


    Friday September 11 | 10:00 - 2:00 | $75

    Join teaching artist Molly Herro for a one-day paper-puppet making deep dive. We will build jointed 2D puppets that can be used for photos, character design, performance, stop-motion animation, and more. Puppets can be simple or elaborate, plain or decorated; this class is highly modifiable for each individual’s skills and interests.

  • Friday Deep Dive: Frame Loom Weaving


    Friday October 2 | 10:00 - 2:00 | $75

    Join interdisciplinary artist Ahnika Wood for a hands-on, one-day weaving workshop where you'll learn the fundamentals of weaving on a frame loom while exploring color, texture, and material. Create your own small woven piece as you discover how weaving can be mediative, playful, and expressive.

  • Thursday Deep Dive: Artists as Curators

    Thursday December 10 | 10:00 - 2:00 | $75

    Join Carissa Burkett to learn about curating: the creative practice of putting together art exhibitions. In this interactive one-day workshop, you’ll learn about all of the different aspects of curating an art exhibit, then collectively curate, design, and install an exhibition as a group.

  • Friday Deep Dive: Quilting

    Friday December 11 | 10:00 - 2:00 | $75

    Join Frances Andonopoulos for a hands-on, one day workshop where you’ll learn to transform fabric shapes into vivid, layered scenes using the art of quilted applique. Sewing experience is not required, and artists will have the opportunity to work with a sewing machine, glue, or hand stitching.

  • Fall Art Week: Comics Club

    Daily from November 9 - November 12 | 10:00 - noon | $200

    Explore visual storytelling and expand your understanding of what a comic can be with teaching artist Phoebe Mol. Class will experiment with many types of comics: fictional, autobiographical, poetry comics, and more.

  • Fall Art Week: Drawing & Dancing

    Daily from December 14 - December 17 | 4:00 - 6:00 | $200

    Join dancer and teaching artist Celeste Gutentag to explore the intersection of visual art and movement. Artists will translate motion into mark-making, using drawing as a tool to feel, move, and document the body in motion.

Register for classes here!
Check out our fall term course catalog!

2026 Classes + Workshops Schedule

Winter Term: January 5 - March 6

Spring Term: March 30 - May 22

Summer Term: June 8 - August 7

Fall Term: September 14 - December 11

50% of North Pole Artists utilize financial assistance to access our programming.

Help more artists access opportunities like this by giving to the Scholarship Fund today, and ensure that finances are never a barrier to creativity.

Give to the Scholarship Fund

Classes + Workshops FAQs

  • Our workshops are open to individuals 16 and older who identify with autism or an intellectual/developmental disability.

    Our workshops are open to practiced artists and beginners alike - no previous art-making experience is required!

  • After you register for your first class, a staff member will reach out to schedule a meeting with you to connect and answer any questions. This meeting can take place virtually over Zoom or in person at North Pole Studio.

    If you’d like to come check out our classroom before you sign up for a class, please email phoebe@northpolestudio.org to set up a tour.

  • Group sizes are kept small (under 8 students) to ensure that every artist receives ample individualized support.

    At NPS, our staff and teachers are the primary support for artists in the classroom. If caregivers have questions or wish to discuss an artist’s support needs, we are happy to schedule a meeting outside of class time. If an artist's Independent Support Plan (ISP) specifies the need for 1:1 support, caregivers may sit with the artist during class time.

  • If interested participants have a BSP in place, caregivers can have a conversation with North Pole staff to talk through what types of support they need in order to be successful in a classroom setting. After the conversation, we will determine if the support needs can be accommodated in the classroom setting and offer alternative options if the specific class selected may not be a good fit for them.

  • North Pole Studio staff cannot provide medical support or dispense medications, but a caregiver can support the participant to provide medical assistance and/or dispense medications during the class. 

  • If you’re unable to attend a class you've signed up for, please email Phoebe at phoebe@northpolestudio.org or call the office 971-251-0020 as soon as possible. Early notice helps us offer your spot to students on the waitlist.

    • Cancellations made more than one week prior to the first day of class will be fully refunded.

    • Cancellations made between one week and 48 hours prior to the first day of class will be refunded 50%

    • No refunds with less than 48 hours notice or no-shows

  • Prices vary by workshop based on teaching and material fees.

    If class fees are a barrier, sliding scale payments are available - nobody will be turned away for lack of funds.

    To request financial assistance, simply report the amount you are able to pay on the registration form and we will send you a separate sliding scale invoice.

  • We are always on the lookout for fantastic class support volunteers and teaching artists. Email phoebe@northpolestudio.org to introduce yourself!

  • Please email phoebe@northpolestudio.org with any other questions you may have, or to set up a meeting / studio tour to learn more about getting involved in the program.

  • Masks are not required during any North Pole programming, but artists are more than welcome to wear a mask.