News and Accomplishments
Artists Commissioned to Design TriMet Buses in Celebration of Disability Pride
August 2023
North Pole Studio artists Annie Rose Macer, Austin Brague, and Max LaZebnik are commissioned to design three of TriMet’s inaugural Disability Pride Month buses! The buses featuring their original work will be on display for 1 year and will travel widely throughout the city.
RACC Grantee North Pole Studio Recount their Experience at the Outsider Art Fair
August 9, 2023
In the spring of 2020, North Pole Studio emerged as a testament to creative inclusion and artistic empowerment. In June of 2023, I spoke with Sula Willson about the organization and their recent experience at the Outsider Art Fair in New York City, a trip made possible through a Regional Arts & Culture Council Arts3C grant.
North Pole Studio on Koin 6
July 2023
Davis Wohlford shared North Pole’s founding story and highlighted his current exhibit at the Oregon Zoo. KT Poirier, Director of Fundraising Events & Marketing, spoke to our mission, inclusive programming, representation in the arts community, and NW Marine Artwork’s upcoming Open Studios Event on 7/8 - 7/9.
2023 NYC Outsider Art Fair
March of 2023
In March of 2023, we represented the work of Dan Tran (left), Austin Brague (right) and James Enos (not pictured) at the Outsider Art Fair in New York City. The Outsider Art Fair occurs bi-annually in NYC and Paris, and exhibits self-taught artists from around the world.
Exhibit at the Reser Center for the Arts | a community is a small town
January-March of 2023
Eight North Pole Studio artists were featured in a ground-breaking exhibition in collaboration with three regional progressive art studios. As part of the exhibition programming, North Pole Studio artist, Joni Smith gave an artist lecture at the Reser Center.
Doug Wing on Exhibit at Oregon Contemporary / Ox
August 2022
Doug Wing exhibited his collection of abstract paintings and soft works in conversation with Elmeater Morten. Doug Wing is a lifelong, prolific artist and this was the very first time his work was on view for the public
North Pole Studio on Hello Rose City
November 28, 2022
North Pole Studio’s Co-founders, Sula Willson and Davis Wohlford, speak on KGW’s Hello Rose City segment about the studio, Davis upcoming exhibit at the Oregon Zoo, and his recent collection of work.
RACC Creative Spotlight: Artist James Enos
July 22, 2022
James is an entirely self-taught author and illustrator. His extraordinary process includes binding, researching, writing, and hand-drawing illustrations— many of which fold-out and can extend upwards of 275 cm. His stories weave together to form a collection inspired by…
KPTV: Portland Rose Festival and Regence partner to support autism nonprofit
May 12, 2022
Regence BlueCross BlueShield and the Portland Rose Festival Foundation will be coming together to donate $20,000 to North Pole Studio, a non-profit organization that helps those with autism and intellectual developmental disabilities succeed as artists…
Davis Wohlford’s Painting Licensed by Moonstruck Chocolate, Co.
October 2022
Moonstruck Chocolate, Co. has selected Davis Wohlford’s “Circus” painting for the packaging of one of their 2022 classic chocolate bars. Through this opportunity, Davis gains lifetime employment from Moonstruck and his work becomes visible to a national audience.
KGW: North Pole Studio to hold Wonderland Art Show & Sale
December 1, 2021
Portland’s North Pole Studio is a space serving artists with autism and developmental or intellectual disabilities. Don’t miss their annual Holiday Fundraiser + Exhibition!
Season of Sharing 2021: North Pole Studio brings artists with developmental disabilities into an arts community
November 7, 2021
It’s a rainy fall afternoon, and five visual artists are hunkered over tables in a bright, high-ceilinged space inside the Northwest Marine Artworks complex of artists’ studios and galleries in Northwest Portland...