July 18, 2026
I want to take a minute of your time today and tell you about ceramic sculptor George Rodriguez. He's flying in from his home and studio in Philadelphia to speak at Northwind Art's Fundraising Gala, under the big tent at Fort Worden on Saturday, August 29.
I met George about 15 years ago, just after he had graduated with a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Washington, and I was the director of youth programming at Centrum.
He agreed to come to Port Townsend and teach a group of middle school students here, even though there was no ceramics facility at Fort Worden at the time.
Since then, I've followed his work and seen his shows in person at the Foster/White Gallery, which represents him in Seattle, at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, and at the Seattle Art Fair.
I have always been moved by George's vision. I've always thought Fort Worden and Northwind Art needed a ceramics facility.
On August 29, George will be our keynote speaker at the Gala, talking about creativity, ceramics, and building community — and yes, there will be slides!
I can't think of a better way to christen Fort Worden's Building 308 as the new Northwind Art Ceramics Studio.
P.S.: Tickets are still available. See a full description of the afternoon and buy your tickets at NorthwindArt.org/gala!
Martha Worthley
Executive Director, Northwind Art
Pictured: George Rodriguez, artist and professor at the Tyler School of Art & Architecture in Philadelphia