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North Pole Studio supports careers in the arts, and exists to increase opportunities for artists with autism and intellectual / developmental disabilities to thrive as active members of the arts community. We foster self-determination and facilitate meaningful connections through total engagement in the arts.

BECOME AN ARTIST

NEWS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS

SHOP AVAILABLE WORK

Our Story

North Pole Studio was co-founded in the spring of 2020 by artists + educators Sula Willson and Mary Ellen Andersen, founding artist Davis Wohlford (pictured right), and parent + advocate Sarah Mensah.

Named by Davis, North Pole Studio exists to provide accessible, supported art studio space where neurodivergent artists can connect and seriously pursue their art. In the studio, artists access the space, materials and support to create, exhibit and sell their work. It is a place where self-determination is supported, creative risk-taking is encouraged, and diverse experiences are valued and respected.

We are located in NW Marine Art Works, Portland’s largest professional artist studio collective. In this space, North Pole Studio artists are engaged members of the arts community, and are supported with pursuing opportunities aligned with their goals and dreams.

Our Program Pillars

Our studio and exhibition programs serve adults (ages 18 and older), and our art classes and workshops are open to transition-aged and emerging artists (ages 16 and older).

Access to Opportunity

• Studio Space
• Art Classes + Workshops
• Professional Development
• Exhibition, Sales + Licensing

Community Engagement

• Inclusive Artist Community
• Professional Mentorships
• Community Partnerships
• Teaching + Lecturing

Artist Representation

• Professional Artist Webpage
• Portfolio Management
• Applying for Opportunities
• Communication + Logistical Support

Our Impact

✶ 75% of art sales directly to artists, 25% to programming and materials.

✶ 100% of artists with collections provided the opportunity to exhibit.

✶ Programs fully embedded in the professional arts community.

✶ 50+ art classes & workshops provided to transition-aged youth annually.

Thank You to our Foundation Partners

We could spend all day staring at this beautiful Austin Brague drawing of a vintage TriMet bus and Portland street scene. . Affordable fine art prints of this drawing are available in our online store! Order yours today and follow @austin_does_art to
Registration for our Wednesday afternoon and Saturday morning Summer Workshops opens next week on May 29th! Space is limited and spots fill up fast ✍🏼 . If you or someone you know would like to get involved, please email phoebe@northpolestudio.org t
Wonderful new mask drawings by Nathan Ueno to match your every #mondaymood . . . Image description: three drawings featuring four unique masks on every page, with different expressions, hairstyles, color combinations and other characteristics
Happy Friday, friends! No better day than today to treat yourself to our super soft new spring t-shirt, designed with Nathan Ueno's amazing bicycles drawings and modeled here by Nathan himself 🚲 . 100% of merchandise sales support our artists and pr
Beautiful experimental line work with ink, paint and pastel by Deanna Wiessenhaus 💅🏻 . . . Image description: two abstract paintings by Deanna, the first with a pallet of pinks and purples, the second with black ink textured over with colored paste
Very sweet photos of our very first “Open Studio” class! This new class creates space for emerging artists to develop a self-directed studio practice. Artists in this class are supported with accessing the tools and materials to pursue th