Summer Program
July 20 – September 15
Registration open June 12 – July 5. Placement confirmations sent via email by July 10.
Use the offerings + eligibility tab below to see what you can sign up for this term. Questions? Call or text 206.601.7112 or email program@pathwithart.org
What can I take this term?
Participants can enroll in each of the following for the Spring Program:
- Path with Art Singers or Veterans Choir, and
- Your choice of another 8-week class,
- Found Fashion class(es),
- One Friday Workshop,
- Art Kit (prioritized for new or online-only participants),
- Open Studio,
- Jam Sessions, and
- Access Art (check back for Access Art signup)
All programming is free and all applicable materials are included. Classes are either virtual or in-person.
Who can join our programs?
To participate in Path with Art programs, you must fulfill the following criteria:
- Be 18 years of age or older.
- Earn no more than $36,272 annual income (Veterans are exempt from this requirement).
- Be affiliated with one or more of our partner organizations.
- Provide the name of your case/housing manager at this organization.
- Agree to Path with Art policies for respectful and kind behavior and be considerate and willing to work with others in a safe, fun environment.
If you have any questions about the above items, please contact our program team at program@pathwithart.org or 206-601-7112.
How do I sign up?
You can sign up online! View the step-by-step tutorial video for more information about how to sign up. Questions or need assistance signing up? We are always happy to register you over the phone. Call or text: 206.601.7112 or email: program@pathwithart.org
We all have access needs in order to fully engage in learning and will do our best to provide you with what you need to succeed in classes and workshops.
If you require any classroom accommodation –– whether it’s related to a disability or simply something that will make your experience easier –– please let us know.
Classroom accommodation requests can be made through the registration form, and throughout the quarter by emailing program@pathwithart.org or calling 206-601-7112
Some Common Requests
- ASL interpretation, captioning, audio amplification
- Large font materials, summary emails, class recordings (online-only)
- Use of the fridge for storage of personal snacks
- Clear face masks (in-person only)
- Sensory sensitive spaces.
University of Washington’s Center for Accessible Design & Innovative Inclusion audited our artHOME for opportunities to increase accessibility. Our artHOME meets the minimum requirements for ADA compliance and we regularly take advantage of opportunities to go above the minimum compliance. Service animals are always welcome.
Mobility
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Push button door access for main entrance located at 200 Mercer Street
- Push button door access for ADA restroom, to enter studios, and music room
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Ramp entrance
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Interior lift for access to second level
Vision
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Staff available to share, describe, and answer questions
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Large print, high contrast handouts of exhibit text
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Hand-held magnifiers available
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Clear face masks available upon request
Hearing
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Assisted listening devices available for class instruction or events using microphones
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ASL interpreters upon request
Language
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Primary exhibit text available in English
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Spanish-speaking interpretive staff (subject to availability)
Restrooms
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Single-stall, all-gender restrooms available
Summer Classes
Our multidisciplinary programming spans painting, drawing, illustration, audio editing/podcasting, photography, writing, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, theater, dance/movement, and music. Participants can choose to join us online or in-person. Every quarter features a new set of 6- to 8-week classes providing hands-on skill-building in a variety of disciplines, taught by a roster of over 50 professional teaching artists in an encouraging and supportive community. Classes rotate every term, so there is always something new to explore!
Path with Art Singers
8 sessions: Mondays, 7/20–9/14 from 1–3pm (no class 9/7 for Labor Day)
Teaching Artist: Malex Reed
artHOME
200 Mercer St.
Seattle, WA 98109
If you love to sing or have always wanted to sing, this is the group for you! In this welcoming and supportive class, we’ll focus on building fundamental music skills—like rhythm, pitch, harmony, and breath control—alongside healthy vocal technique. You’ll learn how to use your voice confidently and expressively as your instrument. Through warm-ups, group exercises, and learning songs together, you’ll develop blend, listening skills, and stage presence while experiencing the joy of singing in community. No prior experience is required—just a willingness to try.
Come sing with us! All experience levels welcome. You may register for Path with Art Singers in addition to another class.
Handbuilding Ceramics
6 sessions: Tuesdays, 7/28–9/1 from 12–3pm Pacific Time
Teaching Artist: Margery Cercado
Pottery Northwest
Lower Level, 220 3rd Ave S
Seattle, WA 98104
This is an introductory ceramics class with a special focus on mask making, where you will practice hand-building techniques such as pinch, coil, and slab construction. Each session will offer a balance of demonstration, guided practice, and open studio time for creative exploration. While mask making will be a central theme—exploring expression, identity, and storytelling through form—you are also encouraged to follow your own ideas and create personal projects. You’ll learn how to shape and sculpt clay, add texture and detail, and prepare your work for firing. Whether you’re building a character, a symbol, or something entirely abstract, this class is about learning, experimenting, and having fun with clay.
Please note that manipulating materials may require hand dexterity and may not be suitable for everyone. If you have questions about accessibility or accommodations, please reach out to program@pathwithart.org. We want to support you in your access needs.
Writing and Drawing Comics
8 sessions: Tuesdays, 7/21–9/8 from 2–4pm Pacific Time
Teaching Artist: Colleen Louise Barry
artHOME
200 Mercer St.
Seattle, WA 98109
Throughout this course, we will discover our own unique personal styles and visual storytelling perspectives through a series of fun drawing exercises and creative games, leading up to writing and drawing our own short comic stories. Together, we will also read and discuss various comics, cartoons, and graphic novel excerpts while learning basic comic vocabulary in a supportive, collaborative environment.
This class is for absolutely everyone, regardless of prior drawing experience or technical skill. It’s important to remember: comics can be anything, and so can drawing!
Please note that manipulating materials may require hand dexterity and may not be suitable for everyone. If you have questions about accessibility or accommodations, please reach out to program@pathwithart.org. We want to support you in your access needs.
Introduction to Playwriting: 10-Minute Plays
8 sessions: Tuesdays, 7/21–9/8 from 4–6pm Pacific Time
Teaching Artist: Donovan Olsen
If you walked into a theater tonight, what kind of play would you want to see? What if you could write exactly that story? This class explores the essential foundations of playwriting—including plot structure, character development, and dynamic dialogue—through a mix of guided prompts and free-writing exercises. Together, we will bring our ideas to life by writing original 10-minute plays, guiding them from initial brainstorms to revisions. If you’ve ever been curious about the creative magic that happens before a script hits the stage, this is your chance to experience it firsthand!
All experience levels are welcome.
Approaching Joy! Creative Writing
8 sessions: Wednesdays, 7/22–9/9 from 11am–1pm Pacific Time
Teaching Artist: Maiah Merino
How do we approach joy during this time of uncertainty? This course brings together a variety of authors including: Joy Harjo, Annie Dillard, Mary Oliver, Ross Gay, Marc Nepo among others, to reflect on and play with the ways in which we can live more deeply in this moment, together. In this supportive 8-session creative writing class, participants will discover how to use poetry and reflective writing as anchors for grounding, resilience, and personal discovery. Through weekly low-pressure prompts and generative exercises, you will examine how literature can capture light and hope, transforming everyday observations into extraordinary creative pages. In a collaborative community circle, you will have voluntary opportunities to share your work, cultivating collective warmth and connection with your peers.
Podcasting Studio: Bring Your Show to Life
8 sessions: Wednesdays, 7/22–9/9 from 2–4pm Pacific Time (no class 8/19)
Teaching Artist: Gavin Reub
KING FM
363 Mercer St
Seattle, WA 98109
Ready to take your audio ideas to the next level? This class is designed like a collaborative audio workshop or a community newspaper room, offering a supportive space for creators who already understand the basics of podcasting to develop their own projects. Instead of a rigid syllabus, this session functions as an open creative lab. With the guidance of your instructor and the support of your peers, you will use local resources to brainstorm, produce, and polish your unique audio work. Whether you are continuing a project from the Intro course or looking for a community space to get your voice heard, this studio is the perfect environment to collaborate and create!
Collage as Expression: History & Hands-On
8 sessions: Wednesday, 7/22–9/9 from 3–5pm Pacific Time
Teaching Artist: Mary Mac Dahlke
Discover how collage became a powerful way to question, critique, and reimagine the world. Each week begins with a short art history spotlight exploring how visionary artists used this medium to define their movements and reshape modern art—from Cubism and Dada to Pop Art and contemporary practices. After a quick demonstration of hands-on techniques tied to that week’s movement, you will dive into your own creating using paper, fabric, and found objects. Every session wraps up with a supportive time of sharing and reflection, sparking creative inspiration and community. By the end of the course, you will have a beautiful portfolio of collages that are deeply inspired by history, yet uniquely your own.
Please note that manipulating materials may require hand dexterity and may not be suitable for everyone. If you have questions about accessibility or accommodations, please reach out to program@pathwithart.org. We want to support you in your access needs.
Every Body Moves: A Movement Experience
6 sessions: Thursdays, 8/6–9/10 from 11:30am–1pm
Teaching Artist: Devin Oshiro
Whim W'Him
1716 2nd Ave N
Seattle, WA 98109
Looking for an opportunity to move your body and recharge? This dance and movement series invites you into a welcoming space where creativity and connection can bloom. We’ll warm up with gentle breathing, stretching, and low-impact movement inspired by dance, mindfulness, and somatic practices like yoga and pilates, followed by guided creative exercises to spark imagination and expression.
Open to all bodies – no prior dance experience needed!
Creativity x Wellness
8 sessions: Thursdays, 7/23–9/10 from 3–5pm Pacific Time
Teaching Artist: Monica Peña
Creativity x Wellness is a thoughtfully designed class so anyone can make their best ideas happen. Fusing insights from the arts & wellness, this class will strengthen your creative thinking muscles by guiding you through exercises that can be smoothly integrated into your daily routine. Together, we will learn how practices like mindfulness, poetic acts, sit spots, and more can create space for creativity in our lives, ultimately leading to deeper, more expansive living.
Mixed Media Exploration
8 sessions: Thursdays, 7/23–9/10 from 4–6pm Pacific Time
Teaching Artist: Jackie Argyle
This class is designed for artists who already have some familiarity with one or more mediums and are interested in expanding their creative practice by mixing different materials together. While gouache and crayon will be provided, participants are welcome to bring any other materials they have on hand—such as pencils, watercolors, collage paper, or fabric. Throughout the session, we will explore the core principles of layering, color, and value to create compelling, multi-dimensional images. Whether you are looking to break out of a creative rut or simply want to experiment with something new, this class offers the perfect supportive environment to discover fresh ways of art-making!
Please note that manipulating materials may require hand dexterity and may not be suitable for everyone. If you have questions about accessibility or accommodations, please reach out to program@pathwithart.org. We want to support you in your access needs.
Found Fashion
Participants work with Teaching Artists to create theatrical fashion pieces, often using repurposed materials in a practice we call Found Fashion. These extraordinary outfits are then showcased by community leaders at Path with Art’s annual Art for All Ball, which raises critical funds for PwA’s free programming. Participants with strong attendance may have the opportunity to attend the event with a complimentary ticket. Found Fashion classes may be taken in addition to another class.
Found Fashion: Thinking Outside the Box-Pleat
8 sessions: Tuesdays, 7/21–9/8 from 11am–1pm Pacific Time
Teaching Artist: Kathleen Trott
artHOME
200 Mercer St.
Seattle, WA 98109
Your wardrobe should be a reflection of identity and story! In this Found Fashion class, we will work together as a team to design and construct a custom runway outfit using found fabrics and reclaimed garments. As we sculpt a dramatic, expressive piece for our community model to wear at the Art for All Ball, we will explore the versatile flexibility of controlling fabric through pleating, tucking, and folding techniques. Along the way, participants will learn practical sewing, altering, and textile manipulation skills that you can directly apply to your own clothes to better express who you are.
Participants with strong attendance will be invited to attend the Art for All Ball with one free ticket.
Please note that manipulating materials may require hand dexterity and may not be suitable for everyone. If you have questions about accessibility or accommodations, please reach out to program@pathwithart.org. We want to support you in your access needs.
Found Fashion Workshop: Weird Weaving
4 sessions: Wednesdays, 7/22–8/12 from 2–4pm Pacific Time
Teaching Artist: Janelle Abbott
artHOME
200 Mercer St.
Seattle, WA 98109
Come join one, two, or all four of these drop in Weird Weaving workshops and learn how to build, warp, and weave on a basic cardboard loom! We will be using conventional and unconventional materials like yarn, caution tape, cords, charging cables, rope, found clothing and fabric, broken jewelry, and more. Finished woven panels will be assembled together to create a garment for a model to wear at PwA’s annual Art For All Ball.
Participants with strong attendance will be invited to attend the Art for All Ball with one free ticket.
Please note that manipulating materials may require hand dexterity and may not be suitable for everyone. If you have questions about accessibility or accommodations, please reach out to program@pathwithart.org. We want to support you in your access needs.
Found Fashion: High Volume
8 sessions: Thursdays, 7/23–9/10 from 11am–1pm Pacific Time
Teaching Artist: Pakio Galore
artHOME
200 Mercer St.
Seattle, WA 98109
Join us for Found Fashion: High Volume, a hands-on, architectural fashion class where we will rethink the boundaries of wearable art to make a massive splash on the runway! Instead of designing a standard costume around a human shape, this collaborative class will build alternative, oversized structures that a body can fit inside, completely reimagining form, space, and volume using reclaimed materials.
Participants will learn structural construction processes, material manipulation, and creative upcycling strategies while experimenting with scale, framework, and proportion. Together, we will push beyond traditional fashion rules—stitching, binding, and constructing surplus and found materials into a dramatic, expressive garment for our community model to wear at the Art for All Ball.
Participants with strong attendance will be invited to attend the Art for All Ball with one free ticket.
Please note that manipulating materials may require hand dexterity and may not be suitable for everyone. If you have questions about accessibility or accommodations, please reach out to program@pathwithart.org. We want to support you in your access needs.
Veterans Program
Path with Art offers multidisciplinary arts programming with a specific emphasis on the veteran experience. All veterans are welcome regardless of income. Our programming is guided by the Veterans’ Program Steering Committee, composed of veterans and community members who work with veterans. For examples of this program’s work, check out our Virtual Veterans Gallery.
Honoring Our History: Abstract Art & Personal Storytelling
8 sessions: Tuesdays, 7/21–9/15 from 4–6pm Pacific Time (no class 8/18)
Teaching Artist: Melany Bell
Your lived experiences, memories, and cultural influences are the ultimate foundation for powerful artmaking. In this supportive online space designed exclusively for veterans, we will use the freedom of abstract art to express our personal histories and tell our stories on our own terms. Each week, you will experience a blend of creative writing prompts, group discussion, and demonstrations designed to inspire your practice. We will use materials like oil pastel, markers, and collage supplies to make our pieces. Together, we’ll embrace the courage it takes to honor the experiences that shape who we are, experimenting with new techniques in a supportive environment. As veteran artists, you hold the power to decide what is important and are encouraged to use this class to celebrate your identity and claim your vital voice as a community historian.
There is no prior art experience required—this class is entirely focused on the joy of experimentation, creative play, and honoring the unique perspectives that shape who we are.
Please note that manipulating materials may require hand dexterity and may not be suitable for everyone. If you have questions about accessibility or accommodations, please reach out to program@pathwithart.org. We want to support you in your access needs.
Mask Making for Invisible Wounds
8 sessions: Wednesdays, 7/22–9/9 from 2–4pm Pacific Time
Teaching Artist: Luz Helena Thompson
Mask Making for Invisible Wounds is a transformative art program designed to support veterans in their healing journey. By creating masks as a tangible representation of their experiences, participants explore and process the complexities of trauma. This veteran-led workshop fosters a safe and supportive environment for self-expression, connection, and resilience building. Through artistic exploration, participants develop new coping mechanisms, reduce isolation, and find hope in their recovery process. The program’s emphasis on community and shared experiences creates a powerful platform for healing and growth. The program’s success has led to its expansion and adaptation for broader audiences, demonstrating the power of art in addressing invisible wounds.
Please note that manipulating materials may require hand dexterity and may not be suitable for everyone. If you have questions about accessibility or accommodations, please reach out to program@pathwithart.org. We want to support you in your access needs.
Veterans Choir (in collaboration with Seattle Opera)
9 sessions: Thursdays, 7/23–9/17 from 1–3pm
Teaching Artist: Michaella Calzaretta
Seattle Opera
363 Mercer Street
Seattle, WA 98109
If you love to sing or have always wanted to sing, this is the group for you! Facilitated by a Seattle Opera teaching artist, you will gain confidence in your singing voice by learning classical vocal technique and music fundamentals. You’ll also learn about opera history and explore other genres of vocal music. Most importantly, you will have a chance to sing together and connect with fellow veterans.
All experience levels welcome. Come sing with us! You may register for the Veteran’s Choir in addition to another class.
From Warrior to Creator: Creative Thriving After Military Service
8 sessions: Thursdays, 7/23–9/10 from 2–4pm Pacific Time
Teaching Artist: Natasha Terry
Designed specifically for veterans, this transformative class offers a dignified, grounding space to honor your history while shifting the “warrior mindset” into the archetype of the creator. Guided by multidisciplinary artist Natasha Terry, participants will give their calling to service fresh, life-giving purpose through a thoughtful blend of reflective writing exercises and hands-on, expressive art activities. Together, we will translate our experiences and passions into art, culminating in writing or work that represents your authentic creative voice. No prior art or writing experience is necessary to join this caring community; just a willingness to explore your inner world alongside fellow veterans.
Friday Workshops
Join us for two-week virtual Friday workshops led by professional teaching artists. These workshops offer structured guidance, creative exploration, and time to make art together in community. Participants are welcome to sign up for one Friday Workshop.
Introduction to Art History: Visual Analysis
2 sessions: Fridays, 8/7 + 8/14 from 1–3pm Pacific Time
Teaching Artist: Or Vallah Gabaev
Art history offers an opportunity for deep engagement with art in its historical, cultural, and social contexts. In this class, participants will learn the basic components of art analysis, focusing on color, line, composition, perspective, and rhythm, among other elements of art. While the first workshop will be dedicated to recognizing and identifying the meaning of these formal elements, the second workshop will focus on a specific case study to analyze the visual language of the sixteenth century printmaker and painter Hendrick Goltzius in his biographical, historical, and cultural context. This workshop welcomes anyone who enjoys art, but would be of particular interest to visual makers who wish to gain a better grasp of the language of art to nurture their creative work.
Petals & Pencils: Sketching the Natural World
2 sessions: Fridays, 9/4 + 9/11 from 1–3pm Pacific Time
Teaching Artist: Garima Naredi
PNW summers bring an abundance of flowers and foliage. Join me for this workshop as we explore the underlying structure and beauty of plants through drawing. Each week, we’ll study a selection of flowers and plants, observing their forms and learning to see them in terms of shape, planes, light, and shadow. Participants are encouraged to work with any drawing or painting materials they have on hand, including pencils, pens, pastels, watercolor, and more. Through guided observation and mark-making exercises, we’ll discover new ways of seeing and drawing the natural world.
Art Kits
Art Kits are mailed or distributed directly to participants and include all materials needed to complete a project as well as a step-by-step guidebook. Teaching Artists design these professional kits each quarter. Supplies are limited and prioritized for first-time and online-only participants.
Seeds of Self Art Kit
Teaching Artist: Kierron-dé Brown
Seeds of Self is a guided art kit or creative workshop blending accessory-making with reflective journaling. Participants design and craft a personalized bag charm using beads, wire, natural materials, and affirmations. Alongside the making process, guided writing prompts invite participants to reflect on their personal growth, what they carry with them, and what they want to release.