Crafting a Creative Business: From Passion to Practice

TOTAL COST: $300
Course Fee: $300
Materials: Student provided materials. See Supply Information below.

DATES: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 - THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23,2025
TIME: 5:00PM – 8:00PM PST
LEVEL: Beginner to Advanced
AGE GROUP: Adult (ages 18+), Youth (ages 15-17)
LOCATION: Building 324C, Fort Worden, Port Townsend.

DESCRIPTION
Are you ready to turn your creative passion into a business? Join artist Aran Galligan, who has successfully run a craft-based business for 13 years, in this five-week class designed for artists, makers, and right-brain thinkers. We'll focus on building a business that aligns with your values, strengths, and creative goals.

Throughout the course, we'll explore various paths, including fine art, gallery representation, craft fairs, markets, wholesale, and online sales. This will help you determine which approach best fits your work and passion. We’ll also discuss how to develop your creative practice into a business by finding your unique voice or niche, prototyping, real-world testing methods, and marketing.

Additionally, we will cover important topics such as pricing your work, understanding business structures, creating efficient systems, and ensuring compliance in a way that feels accessible for creative minds. Each session will include creative exercises to help clarify your goals, values, and working style. You'll also bring in one piece of your work (or a photo of it), and we will discuss how that piece could inspire your new business venture.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow your business, this class will provide the structure you need for your creative work while helping you maintain your passion.

SUPPLY INFORMATION
Please bring a sketchbook dedicated to your business planning. I recommend the Canson XL Mixed Media Pad (5.5 x 8.5") — it's affordable, versatile, and easy to carry. Also bring your preferred writing and drawing tools. 

COURSE DETAILS
After registration, course details are available via the Northwind Art School learning portal. Learn more

ABOUT ARAN
Aran Galligan is a sought-after artist and the owner of Aide-mémoire Jewelry and AranMade. Teaching posts include SUNY New Paltz (New York), North Seattle College, Penland School of Craft (North Carolina), Contemporary Craft (Pennsylvania) and Danaca Design (Washington). Aran's exhibition venues include Schmuck (Germany), Gallery Marzee (Netherlands), Bellevue Arts Museum, NSC Art Gallery (Washington), Bini Gallery (Australia), Bilk Gallery (Australia) and Penland Gallery (North Carolina). 

Artist website: Aran Galligan

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DISCOUNTS
This course is eligible for a 10% member discount at the Supporter level and beyond. Get a membership today!

Don's Pharmacy and Art Toolkit in Port Townsend offer Northwind Art School students a 10% discount on art supplies.

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CANCELLATION POLICY
If Northwind Art has to cancel a course for any reason, all enrolled students will receive a 100% refund (including any materials fee).

Students who withdraw from a course at least seven days prior to its first meeting will receive a 90% refund (less any materials fee). 

Students withdrawing fewer than seven days from the first day of class are not eligible for a refund except in the case of illness or injury, in which case they are eligible to receive a 40% refund (less any materials fee).

Please note that 10% of every course’s registration fee is considered to be a non-refundable deposit in cases of withdrawal to cover administrative overhead. All refunds will be applied to the same credit card that was used for enrollment. No credits or transfers will be granted. 

Please email admin@northwindart.org if you wish to withdraw or for more information.