North Pole Studio Art Classes & Workshops
514 NW 11th Ave, Suite 203, Portland, OR 97209
About
North Pole Studio Art Classes & Workshops offers art classes, workshops, and supported studio practice where artists create, exhibit, and sell artwork. The program includes teaching and lecturing, professional mentorships, portfolio management, and support with applying for opportunities. Participants also engage in shipping and receiving tasks, volunteer opportunities, and an accessible art workshop.
• Ages: 16–18 years old
• Schedule: Options Monday–Friday during the day and Saturday mornings
North Pole Studio was co-founded in the spring of 2020. The organization supports careers in the arts and exists to increase opportunities for artists with autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities to be active members of the arts community. Through studio practice and community engagement, it focuses on artists with autism and I/DD living as self-determined, visible, and contributing members of the local and national contemporary art community.
Art classes and workshops are open to transition-aged and emerging artists ages 16 and older, and studio and exhibition programs serve adults ages 18 and older. Artists access space, materials, and support to create, exhibit, and sell their work, and 60% of art sales go directly to artists, with 40% supporting programming and materials. All artists with collections are provided the opportunity to exhibit, and North Pole Studio provides professional artist webpages, portfolio management, and communication and logistical support. Teaching artists are invited to lead workshops in art mediums of their choice, and artists are supported with pursuing opportunities that align with their goals and dreams.
Programs are fully embedded in the professional arts community, and North Pole Studio values partnerships with exhibition spaces, schools, individuals, and organizations to collaborate and facilitate opportunities for artists. The organization works with a diverse community of artists and makers and is supported by community partners, volunteers, donors, and collaborators. Opportunities to volunteer are very limited and are managed through a wait list. North Pole Studio is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable arts organization.
The leadership team includes co-founders Sula Willson (transition specialist and educator), Mary Ellen Andersen (artist and educator), founding artist Davis Wohlford, and parent and advocate Sarah Mensah. The Executive Director is multimedia artist, curator, and nonprofit arts administrator Carissa Burkett, who has 13 years of experience that began in 2013 at Project Grow and has included roles as Director of Arts Programs at The Chehalem Cultural Center and Executive Director of Third Angle New Music. Other team members include Director of Creative Partnerships Kat Stromberger-Perez, Creative Partnerships Manager Nick Norman, Director of Studio Programs and art educator Mary Ellen Andersen, Lead Art Facilitator Celeste Gutentag, Director of Community Learning & Engagement Phoebe Mol, Art Facilitator Jade Novarino, Exhibitions Manager Krista Gregory, Development Director Jennifer Dylan, Development Manager Joellen Sweeney, Shipping & Receiving Associate Nathan Ueno, Director of Operations & Finance KT Poirier, and Outreach Specialist Izzy Edwards.
Staff credentials include degrees and experience in arts education, art history, studio art, psychology, acting, business, environmental science, and nonprofit and community work. Mary Ellen Andersen holds a BFA in arts education from the University of Georgia. Celeste Gutentag received a Carson Undergraduate research grant and holds a BA in Art History and English Literature from Willamette University. Phoebe Mol holds a BA in Psychology and Studio Art from Macalester College, and Jade Novarino holds a BA in Art and Art History from Reed College. Krista Gregory holds an MFA from the University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning. Joellen Sweeney earned an MFA in acting from the University of Washington in 2022. KT Poirier obtained an MBA from Portland State University after an 8-year career in retail banking, and Izzy has a BS in Environmental Science with a focus in Applied Ecology. Development Director Jennifer Dylan has more than 25 years of experience supporting nonprofits, social ventures, and collaborative community efforts.
A caregiver testimonial from Therese Deslippe states that North Pole Studio celebrates and honors differences among artists, holds high standards, and always presumes competence. The testimonial notes that it is a place where artists with different communication methods who may not feel welcome in a typical class are welcomed by the instructor without question, and that as a caregiver it is refreshing not to have to explain or justify a person’s different behavior.
Last updated May 29, 2026.
• Ages: 16–18 years old
• Schedule: Options Monday–Friday during the day and Saturday mornings
North Pole Studio was co-founded in the spring of 2020. The organization supports careers in the arts and exists to increase opportunities for artists with autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities to be active members of the arts community. Through studio practice and community engagement, it focuses on artists with autism and I/DD living as self-determined, visible, and contributing members of the local and national contemporary art community.
Art classes and workshops are open to transition-aged and emerging artists ages 16 and older, and studio and exhibition programs serve adults ages 18 and older. Artists access space, materials, and support to create, exhibit, and sell their work, and 60% of art sales go directly to artists, with 40% supporting programming and materials. All artists with collections are provided the opportunity to exhibit, and North Pole Studio provides professional artist webpages, portfolio management, and communication and logistical support. Teaching artists are invited to lead workshops in art mediums of their choice, and artists are supported with pursuing opportunities that align with their goals and dreams.
Programs are fully embedded in the professional arts community, and North Pole Studio values partnerships with exhibition spaces, schools, individuals, and organizations to collaborate and facilitate opportunities for artists. The organization works with a diverse community of artists and makers and is supported by community partners, volunteers, donors, and collaborators. Opportunities to volunteer are very limited and are managed through a wait list. North Pole Studio is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable arts organization.
The leadership team includes co-founders Sula Willson (transition specialist and educator), Mary Ellen Andersen (artist and educator), founding artist Davis Wohlford, and parent and advocate Sarah Mensah. The Executive Director is multimedia artist, curator, and nonprofit arts administrator Carissa Burkett, who has 13 years of experience that began in 2013 at Project Grow and has included roles as Director of Arts Programs at The Chehalem Cultural Center and Executive Director of Third Angle New Music. Other team members include Director of Creative Partnerships Kat Stromberger-Perez, Creative Partnerships Manager Nick Norman, Director of Studio Programs and art educator Mary Ellen Andersen, Lead Art Facilitator Celeste Gutentag, Director of Community Learning & Engagement Phoebe Mol, Art Facilitator Jade Novarino, Exhibitions Manager Krista Gregory, Development Director Jennifer Dylan, Development Manager Joellen Sweeney, Shipping & Receiving Associate Nathan Ueno, Director of Operations & Finance KT Poirier, and Outreach Specialist Izzy Edwards.
Staff credentials include degrees and experience in arts education, art history, studio art, psychology, acting, business, environmental science, and nonprofit and community work. Mary Ellen Andersen holds a BFA in arts education from the University of Georgia. Celeste Gutentag received a Carson Undergraduate research grant and holds a BA in Art History and English Literature from Willamette University. Phoebe Mol holds a BA in Psychology and Studio Art from Macalester College, and Jade Novarino holds a BA in Art and Art History from Reed College. Krista Gregory holds an MFA from the University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning. Joellen Sweeney earned an MFA in acting from the University of Washington in 2022. KT Poirier obtained an MBA from Portland State University after an 8-year career in retail banking, and Izzy has a BS in Environmental Science with a focus in Applied Ecology. Development Director Jennifer Dylan has more than 25 years of experience supporting nonprofits, social ventures, and collaborative community efforts.
A caregiver testimonial from Therese Deslippe states that North Pole Studio celebrates and honors differences among artists, holds high standards, and always presumes competence. The testimonial notes that it is a place where artists with different communication methods who may not feel welcome in a typical class are welcomed by the instructor without question, and that as a caregiver it is refreshing not to have to explain or justify a person’s different behavior.
Last updated May 29, 2026.
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