We are Northwind Art

We envision a community rich in the arts
where creative culture is a local legacy
fostering generations of accomplished artists and makers
preserving a vibrant quality of life for all

PHOTO CREDIT: Kerry Tremain, Marsh Wren, Fir Island

Built on a strong foundation of community

Northwind Art was founded in January 2021, when two established art organizations, Port Townsend School of the Arts and Northwind Arts Center, joined together as a way to weather the COVID storm and to support artists during difficult times—we are now known simply as NORTHWIND ART.

Northwind Art is a non-profit organization that puts artists at the heart of all we do. Three main pillars, EDUCATION, EXHIBITS, and ARTIST RESOURCES are the focus of our work and mission.

Our incredible community of donors, partners, and grant organizations make it all possible.

“Port Townsend, Washington is a small town with a big heart for art.”

— Teresa Verraes, Northwind Art Executive Director

THIS PLACE
Rooted in the arts, surrounded by natural beauty

Northwind Art is located in Port Townsend, Washington, a historic seaport on the northeast tip of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, just two hours from Seattle. It is a place that has valued artists and makers for centuries—including wooden boat builders and artisans who continue to thrive today.

This magical spot, and the natural beauty that surrounds it, feeds artists’ souls and creativity. In 2020, the area stretching from the historic downtown and uptown districts to the Fort Worden campus was officially named the Port Townsend Creative District by the Washington State Arts Commission.

You can find Northwind Art’s Jeanette Best Gallery in the Creative District’s downtown area, and Northwind Art School in the Creative Corridor at Fort Worden State Park.

Creative District
Northwind Art School
Jeanette Best Gallery

The Northwind Art galleries and school campus are found throughout the newly designated Port Townsend Creative District.

Northwind Art School

Makers Square, Building 306 Fort Worden State Park

NORTHWIND ART SCHOOL nurtures artists of every age and at every stage – offering the best in experiential learning—both online and in-person. Professional artists, local and visiting, teach a range of techniques and processes with a robust course catalog that includes mixed media, drawing, painting, printmaking, textile arts, seasonal youth camps and so much more.

SEE COURSES

Jeanette Best Gallery

701 Water Street, Downtown Port Townsend

JEANETTE BEST GALLERY memorializes a well-loved local artist and arts organizer and is located on the main thoroughfare in downtown Port Townsend. It features two large, light-filled and highly trafficked exhibit spaces that host juried exhibitions and promote, support and advance artists at all stages of their career.

SEE CURRENT EXHIBITS

Our name is from this place...

Our name, NORTHWIND, is from this place. Where wind meets land and sea. Where motion propels creativity. Where history is brought forward. Where, from the depths of our community, art flourishes.

A story of the S’Klallam, the Nux Sklai Yem, Strong People who have lived for millennia on this land, describes a time when the North Wind blew too hard for days on end. Several animals tried, but it was the clever Wren who finally persuaded him to stop. Since then, the North Wind never blows more than seven days at a time.*

*This traditional story was told by Jamestown S’Klallam ancestors Joe and Lily Johnson and is shared here with permission of the Johnson family.

Thank you to our local artists ...

After several years of filling Grover Gallery with the work of Northwind Art School teaching artists and local makers, we haved moved out of the sweet space at 236 Taylor Street in downtown Port Townsend.

Max Grover and his fellow local artists Larry Crockett, Tracy Grisman and Julie Read have formed the group that will begin a new chapter for the gallery. While Northwind Art refocuses on its anchor, Jeanette Best Gallery, and Northwind Art School's expanding offerings at Fort Worden, we want to express our gratitude to all of the local artists who have enlivened Grover Gallery. We also look forward to seeing everything the future brings to this downtown art space.

OUR PEOPLE
The heart of our organization

From teaching to exhibiting to professional development, our focus is to inspire and elevate each artist where they are. Guiding this range of connected but individual journeys is no small feat. We could not do what we do without a passionate and committed team of directors, staff, teachers and volunteers.

Board of Directors

Dr. Linda Rosenbury, President

Patricia Webber, Secretary

Lorraine Vagner, Treasurer

David Engle

Tracy Bigelow Grisman

Lynn Marlow

Micah Wallace

Melody Sky Weaver

Staff

Teresa Verraes, Executive Director

Kerry Tremain, Design Director

Diane Urbani, Communications Manager

Tener Wade, Operations Director

Kate Lovejoy, Education Director

Mary Black, Development Administrator

Ken Hulick, Gallery Manager

Sandra Petranek, Gallery Sales Associate

Leila Block, Education Assistant

Kristen Gerrish, Education Registrar

Teachers

Our teachers are all artists themselves. Each term, over 30 different teaching artists offer online and in-person workshops, classes and lectures – and their encouragement and inspiration brings out the artist in students of all skill levels and ages.

The diversity of styles and mediums offered by our local and visiting teaching artists keeps our catalogue fresh and varied while supporting fundamentals and creative process exploration.

If you are interested in teaching with us, please let us know.

Volunteers

Volunteers are an essential part of our team. We rely on an active and growing group of volunteers to support projects – from assisting in classrooms to helping at galleries and events. Our volunteers are enthusiastic about our community, art, and arts education.

If you are interested in volunteering with us, please let us know.

OUR DONORS
Make it possible

The generosity of our donors manifests a community rich in the arts and makes it possible for artists of all ages, abilities, and walks of life to enjoy art programs and education scholarships. From small to large contributions, every dollar counts.

Help us continue to transform lives through art.

BECOME A DONOR

OUR PARTNERS
Shared vision. Shared community. Moving forward together.

Working together, we ensure that arts and culture remain vibrant for all. Our shared future is even brighter through the collaboration and strength of these partnerships.

BUSINESS PARTNERS