North Pole Studio
Prepare To Be Amazed; The Freshest Take On Strategic Plans
By Monica Fernandez Zuñiga
It's no secret that making art is a deeply personal process. It's an experience where materials transcend words and where the act of making represents individual lived experiences, what challenges us, and what we strive for. Artists don't stop at personal reflection; their work is channeled into their communities by evoking compassion, resilience, togetherness, and creativity - all the reasons we need artists and the orgs supporting them. The more we experience art, the closer we understand perspectives outside of our own, inch closer to collaboration, find value in needing each other, and discover the myriad ways we are more alike than different.
Earlier this year, I had the absolute pleasure of meeting a few folks doing all of the above with a radical twist. North Pole Studio is a three years young non-profit org supporting careers and opportunities in the arts for artists with autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities. In some ways, they are like other non-profits with a shared mission. They took action into their own hands because they saw a need that needed to be filled; they create programs and services, have a board of directors and spend significant time planning for current and future needs. The thing is, most orgs like North Pole were NOT founded by a member of the community they seek to serve, and it's still a rare day when a board member represents its community. Before I go on, I want to be iridescently clear. North Pole's radical twist is about making decisions, executing plans, etc., through the varied perspectives of the people they are committed to supporting. They are not defaulting to the historical standards of what it means to run a non-profit. At the heart of it all, they lead by example by centering representation and inclusion in all facets of their work. This means decision making starts inward, with artists leading the way.
Davis Wohlford at North Pole Studio, holding up one of his recent paintings.
Anyone who has ever been a part of developing a strategic plan will tell you; the idea of getting a root canal may be more appealing than going through the drawn-out, almost always out-of-touch process of projecting three to five years into the future, when in reality your org needs to be responsive in real-time. Regardless, it's a tool orgs rely on to secure funding, develop and evolve as an organization, and be prepared when the unexpected comes.
North Pole begins their first strategic planning session with the artists at the heart of it. I spoke with artist representative board member Austin Brague to hear his perspective on strategic plans, why he is excited to be a leader of this effort, and how his journey exemplifies just how influential art is to the world around us. I found it very exciting to draw the lines between his creative work and his knack for systems thinking and leadership (check out his intricate architectural work). Weighing in is Davis Wohlford, artist and co-founder of North Pole Studios, with thoughts on the future and why spaces like North Pole are essential.
As Davis reminds us, prepare to be amazed!
Davis Wohlford, Primate Forest, Mixed media painting on canvas , 48 x 36 in, 2023
Monica Fernandez: Can you talk about your personal journey since joining North Pole Studio? How did you feel in the beginning, how do you feel now? How has joining the studio changed your perspective?
Austin Brague: My personal journey since joining North Pole Studios has been so far one of the most remarkable ongoing experiences in my life. It feels like something out of a fairytale. I’ve had successes that would have otherwise seemed like a pipe dream were it not for North Pole Studios. In the beginning, it didn’t seem like much, but in due time it became something undeniably special. Now, because of this Studio, they have encouraged me to dream bigger and be more ambitious in my art world. They have also indirectly changed my perspective through other fellow artists in that we are all different but share the same goal of bringing more neurodivergent artists into the spotlight.
MF: You serve on the board of the org and have been active in its development. What is valuable to you about being on the board? How do you see your role as an advocate (self-advocate or advocate for others)?
AB: As the artist representative on the board, I represent ownership. Ownership of the mission and representing the needs of all artists here.
MF: What are your goals and dreams for the studio?
AB: To make more connections, bring more money to North Pole. I want to be more politically connected and see regional and national connections where both sides contribute.
MF: How would you like to see it grow?
AB: I'd like to see more mind-blowing opportunities! To be in a centralized location in downtown Portland, with 2-3 studio spaces where we could accommodate the needs of disabled artists. I'd also like to see North Pole jump-start a type of Portland Renaissance to help our city recover.
MF: Strategic plans and other common tools orgs use for long term planning can often wind up collecting dust on a shelf. Sometimes this is because the effort is rarely led by people with lived experience who can authentically address the issues that matter. This can result in funneling resources toward issues that are not meaningful. Because you are participating in this effort with North Pole, what information do you believe is important to include in a strategic plan?
AB: The information that I think in my opinion that would be important to include in our strategic plan is how to expand inclusively with an inviting space for all kinds of artists with disabilities. Anything from private studio rooms to community rooms. Also, we need to look at how we can be a light to our fellow Portlanders, especially around this time as we are trying to recover (slowly) from the pandemic, and in addition, how we can play a major role with influence in making Portland the city for the arts.
Austin Brague working on a new drawing at North Pole Studio
Austin Brague, Seattle , pen, ink, and soft pastel, 18 x 23 in, 2022
MF: Can you share one or two examples of what success can look like for a studio artist?
AB: One of our original artists Davis Wohlford, has always wanted to have his animal art featured in the Oregon Zoo, and long story short, it made it in. James Enos, who writes and illustrates his own books, with the help of our directors, was able to connect with someone in New York for bookbinding to make it look like a finished product. His books sell for a few thousand dollars.
MF: Last but not least, I hear you talk about the importance of being more inclusive in our communities. In your opinion, what is one thing people can do to foster more inclusivity today?
AB: Get involved directly with artists; it helps everyone grow. Donating can go a long way. We have various ways to support us on our website and Instagram.
To say a strategic plan must be done a certain way is limiting. Austin's fresh take on the subject reminds us to consider what is ultimately important is what matters to the people who benefit from the plan in the first place. Davis Wohlford's explanation about why he built North Pole Studios is key; space. He knew he needed space to make art and thought others did too. North Pole's radical twist prepares us to be amazed at what is ahead, not only for artists attending studios like theirs but for the community at large. Municipalities, corporations, and small business owners who not long ago committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion - you can look to spaces like North Pole to learn about what matters to people and how you can play a role in supporting and uplifting those perspectives. For the everyday citizen, walk through the doors of an exhibition, buy a piece of art, ask a question - you are guaranteed to feel the effects of their self-reflection. As for what is in the more immediate future for North Pole, Davis is manifesting an animation program to nurture current interests for himself and fellow studio mates and Austin has his eyes on a solo show in NYC.
Let’s help make it happen.
Website: www.northpolestudio.org
Instagram: @northpolepdx, @daviswohlford.art, @austin_does_art_
