News and Accomplishments
‘Different is the new normal’ at North Pole Studio
March 25, 2025
KOIN News featured a story on North Pole Studio’s success at the 2025 Outsider Art Fair, interviewing NPS artist and board member Austin Brague.
North Pole Studio Represents 7 Artists at the 2025 Outsider Art Fair
February 27th - March 2nd, 2025
North Pole Studio returned to the Outsider Art Fair (OAF) for a third year to exhibit the work of seven local professional artists at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York.
Artists James Enos, Austin Brague, Doug Wing and Annie Rose Macer made their return to OAF after record-breaking art sales in 2023 and 2024. Christopher Anders, Adam Richards and Davis Wohlford joined, making their OAF debut.
Art Sales set a new record for NPS, totaling over $13,000 with Wohlford and Brague selling out their collections.
North Pole Studio Exhibits Group Show: ‘Unconventional Wisdom’ at Waterstone Gallery
February 3-28, 2025
Selected works by Adolf Bastendorff, James Enos, Tyla Parsons, Adam Richards, Nathan Ueno, Deanna Wiesenhaus, Doug Wing, and Davis Wohlford were curated into a group show title “Unconventional Wisdom” and exhibited for the month of February at Waterstone Gallery.
North Pole Studio on Everyday Northwest
Feb 12, 2025
NPS Artist Ocean Stever and Executive Director Carissa Burkett appeared on KOIN’s Everyday Northwest Program to share about the move to the new studio space in the Pearl District.
North Pole Studio In Willamette Week’s ‘25 Reason’s to Love Portland’
Feb 11, 2025
Because Something Good Is Getting Bigger
“When it was founded in 2020, North Pole Studio was an all-volunteer organization that served just 20 artists with autism and intellectual disabilities. Now, it hosts 275 artists and has a paid staff of 10. But it’s still in the same 1,200-square-foot studio in Industrial Northwest. Thanks to arts philanthropist and real estate investor Al Solheim, it’s about to get the space it needs.”
North Pole Studio artist Austin Brague on KPTV’s Show and Tell with Tony
February 3, 2025
This segment aired on February 3, showcasing Austin Brague’s artwork and unique approach to portraying urban landscapes and public transit systems.
North Pole Studio
Presents Davis Wohlford’s
The Misfit Toy Show
November 2-December 7, 2024
North Pole Studio presented Davis Wohlford’s magical holiday exhibit, The Misfit Toy Show. Inspired by the beloved stop motion animation movie Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer created in 1964, Davis Wohlford’s exhibit The Misfit Toy Show invited the viewer into Wohlford’s reimagination of the Island of Misfit Toys. Every year, Wohlford returns to this resonant theme during the holiday season, exploring and expanding upon the story by creating an original collection of innovative handmade toys which possess brilliant qualities that make each one a “misfit” in their own unique way.
North Pole Studio on Everyday NorthWest
December 2, 2024
North Pole Studio Co-Founder and artist Davis Wohlford and Executive Director Carissa Burkett shared about Wohlford’s solo exhibit The Misfit Toy Show and the upcoming Gala.
North Pole Studio on Hello! Rose City
November 26, 2024
North Pole Studio Co-Founder and artist Davis Wohlford and Executive Director Carissa Burkett shared about Wohlford’s solo exhibit The Misfit Toy Show and the upcoming Gala.
North Pole Studio Exhibiting Artists Selected for Reser Center Seasonal Beer Cans!
November 2024
Exhibiting Artists Adolph Bastendorff and Zina Allen’s work was selected to be featured on this series of @reserartscenter ‘s seasonal beer cans!
North Pole Studio Celebrates “A Flower, a Shell, and a Water Tower” at Alberta Street Gallery
August 20 - Sept 27th
This vibrant exhibition showcased the work of six North Pole Studio artists: Dan Tran, Deanna Weisenhaus, Doug Wing, John Mosser, Joni Smith, and Tyla Parsons.
North Pole Studio Celebrates Disability Pride Month with Kates’s Ice Cream (again!)
July 2024
During the month of July, Kate’s Ice Cream celebrated their beautiful new shop on NW 23rd with an exhibit featuring the work of Adolph Bastendorff.
North Pole Studio Collaborates with the Portland Pickles
June 28 2024
North Pole Studio and the Portland Pickles teamed up to create some special limited edition merchandise and raise funds for artists and programs. Artist Adam Richards created a limited edition shirt and hat.
North Pole takes over Never Coffee on Belmont in Group Show
June 2024
North Pole Studio artists adorned the wall of local Portland coffee spot, Never Coffee. The show featured the work of Doug Wing, Davis Wohlford, Dan Tran, and Joni Smith.
Oregon Arts Watch: Creating Magic at North Pole Studio
June 6, 2024
Arts writer Hannah Krafcik explores what makes North Pole Studio tick in this poignant article published by Oregon Arts Watch.
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...