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We will write, record, and perform an original song in a state-of-the-art recording studio and film a music video together in a supportive group environment. Open to students in 9th – 12th grade with musical abilities interested in pursuing a career as a songwriting performer and music producer. No previous…

Learn from the footwear and apparel experts at the University of Oregon how performance products are made at companies like Nike, adidas, and UnderArmour. Greg Leedy, Footwear Expert, and Krista Martenson, Apparel Expert, will take the students through a three day making workshop using their hands and hearts. 

In this dynamic camp, students will learn the ins and outs of the professional recording studio, including intro to MIDI and audio production, recording session procedures-concepting, writing and recording, mixdown, editing and mastering. Students will finish the workshop with a basic understanding of all the components required to write, record,…

Students are invited to explore, experiment, and make mistakes at PLACE, a design studio engaging landscape architecture, art, and urban design to make the world a better place. Over the course of one day, students will see the inside of a premier design studio, learn from experts, and get their…

This workshop explores painting and drawing techniques while working from pictures of human poses. We will focus on painting figures of people from different races and ethnicities. We learn how to paint a variety of skin tones. We want to provoke a visual discussion about ethnic identities.  Color theory, linear…

In this course, Elisabeth will lead with song-writing techniques to streamline the conceptual beginning stages, teach melody and lyric exercises, and share easy at-home recording techniques for creating the blueprint that will guide you throughout the demoing stage, and later in the recording process.  Some musical knowledge will be beneficial,…

This 7-week ArtCenter Online entry-level class in creative direction will teach students the ins and outs of what it means to Be the Creative Director, BtheCD. They’ll experience what it would be like to work and thrive in a creative, challenging and stimulating environment and create work that could be…

In this dynamic hybrid workshop, students will learn the ins and outs of the professional recording studio, including intro to MIDI and audio production, recording session procedures-concepting, writing and recording, mixdown, editing and mastering. Students will finish the workshop with a basic understanding of all the components required to write,…

Have you ever wondered how a sneaker becomes a sneaker?  In this workshop, students will explore what it takes to be a footwear designer; how to research and find inspiration for a project. Product Design, Color Design, Material Design, and Graphic Design will all be covered. Each student will have…

In this five-week course, students will focus on building personal identity into garments. By exploring the work of visual artists focused in textiles and clothing, students will deepen understanding of how artists build meaning into their own work. With prompts, creative exploration and discovery students will have the chance to follow suit.…

This workshop explores painting and drawing techniques while working from pictures of human poses. We will focus on painting figures of people from different races and ethnicities and learn how to paint a variety of skin tones.  Color theory, linear perspective, compositional structure, figure/ground relationships, and visual perception will all…

COMMA SUMMER is a four-week series of design-related workshops taught by graphic design students in COMMA- the BIPOC student group at Portland State University. Students will create theme-driven projects and learn various techniques and tools to create 2-D design pieces. The workshop will culminate in an art show at the…

This workshop invites participants to utilize their lived experience as a personal and performative power source. Students will create share edit and explore their own original written and spoken poetry for performance and personal use. This wordshop invites the challenging and changing of systemic oppression through tongue and thought and…

In this four-week workshop, students will learn to build upon their musical talents while grounding in the aesthetic components of live performance. This workshop will introduce students to a career in music production, set design and show execution while helping them develop their artistic identity and share it with the…

This special hybrid workshop will focus on the importance of slow and ethical fashion- buying less, repairing and repurposing more.  Students will familiarize themselves with sewing machine basics and practice various seams, pressing, surging, and other helpful applications to repurpose, alter, and repair their existing clothing.  By the end of…

Learn how to customize your sneakers in this hands-on workshop with artist and pro-skater Sebo Walker.  Sebo will share the different approaches he uses when customizing sneakers, like creating a simple pattern and repeating it, either across the entire shoe or as an accent on desired sections like a swoosh…

Voiceover is the creative application of voice used in a radio, television production, filmmaking, theater, video games and other exciting ways. In this intensive workshop, Adrienne Livingston and Susannah Mars will create a nurturing space for students to build their skills in the art of voiceover. Over the course of…

In this dynamic five-week course, students will explore a range of mixed media materials and learn how to create with each one. Part one of the workshop will focus on familiarizing students with a variety of drawing materials- graphite pencils, ink pens, markers, chalk pastels and colored pencils. In part…

Are you curious about tattooing but aren’t sure where to begin?   In this three-week workshop, you’ll meet a diverse panel of working artists who will introduce you to designing “flash” and custom pieces. You’ll learn about ink application, linework, shading, and will familiarize yourself with the language, techniques and…

Learn how to customize your sneakers in this workshop with artist and pro-skater, Sebo Walker. Sebo will share the different approaches he uses when customizing sneakers, like creating a simple pattern and repeating it, either across the entire shoe or as an accent on desired sections like a swoosh or…

In this workshop you will learn the skills and techniques involved in comic-strip creation. You’ll develop ideas from rough sketches to thoughtfully composed comic panels and pages, apply concepts of value and color, and engage in improvisational, timed and collaborative exercises. This workshop will provide students with an opportunity to…

In this hands-on workshop, you are a design adventurer looking 10 years out to the year 2032. To respond to human needs and the realities of climate change, we will create forward-looking product ideas. Today, it’s not about adding more to an already overwhelmed world. We have to make use…

The MC Workshop was created to support lyric writing, delivery, and performance for Hip Hop music enthusiasts. Students will work on wordplay exercises and techniques to elevate their lyrical style, live performance, and mic skills. With first-hand insights on how to master your craft from a 40-year veteran of Hip…

Illustration is the art of telling a visual story. In this six-week virtual workshop, we will start with building a drawing practice, then move into expanding our technical skills with pen and ink, watercolors, and rendering with pencil. Once these foundations are established, we will create three illustrations: one based…

In this dynamic workshop, Portland photographer Mike Vos will work with students to create visual narratives using photography and writing. We’ll begin by learning about photography as a form of creative exploration. Students will use digital or cell phone cameras to create collections of images for arrangement and layout. The…

This writing workshop builds skills for effective storytelling with an emphasis on professional applications. Each session focuses on a different journalistic skill, including interviewing, research, and developing your tone of voice as a writer. At the end of the term, students will have developed and completed a nonfiction article for…

Sir George Martin. Dr. Dre. Timbaland. Rick Rubin. These internationally acclaimed music producers are all part of our cultural zeitgeist; but what does a music producer actually do? What skills are required and how do you begin to attain them? In this two-week hybrid workshop, we’ll discuss songcraft, strategies for song…

Are you curious about tattooing but don’t know where to begin?  In this three-week workshop, you’ll meet a diverse panel of working artists who will introduce you to designing “flash” and custom pieces. You’ll learn about ink application, linework, shading, and will familiarize yourself with the language, techniques and materials…

Presented in collaboration with ArtCenter College of Design, Pasadena In this four-week workshop, we’ll explore painting and drawing techniques while working from photos of human poses*. We will focus on figures and forms from a variety of races and ethnicities and will practice painting a spectrum of skin tones. You’ll learn…

In this workshop, you’ll learn basic hand sewing skills and explore ways to manipulate existing garments and transform them into something new using various sewing techniques and tools such as resizing, rouching, applique, and patchwork. We’ll cover asymmetry in clothing design and how to deconstruct/reconstruct garments to make them one…

Join us for a series of discussions with leaders from Portland’s thriving motion picture industry. Each session will focus on a different theme: Script and Screen Writing, Animation, On-Set, and Post-Production. You’ll hear from directors, animators, editors, screenwriters, cinematographers, gaffers, grips and more, who will share their experiences working on…

In this workshop, we are going to learn the process of making your own skate video. We will dive into some of the history of skateboarding, learn about the evolution of its documentation, and watch classic videos. You will have the creative freedom to film with friends, collect tricks, and…

In this three-week workshop students will be introduced to the teachings of Indigenous elders and Wisdomkeepers from Africa and Turtle-Island (First-Nation North America). They’ll participate in conversations and talking circles that explore themes of positive transformation through struggle with identity, addiction, violence, and finding a spiritual path rooted in creativity…

Black art isn’t made in a vacuum. References, aesthetics, and history echo through the works of Black artists as diverse as Jean Michel Basquiat and Kara Walker. In Echolocations we’ll explore these intersections to illuminate how you and your artistic voice mirror those of great Black artists from around the…

What do kitchens and print shops have in common? In this dynamic workshop, students will use the vehicle of letterpress printing to explore personal connections to food and food traditions. We will learn the fundamentals of analog design and the importance of book arts in a digital age, then print…

Are you interested in fashion design but don’t know where to begin? In this two-week workshop, you’ll learn to illustrate the traditional fashion figure, the first step in bringing your design ideas to life as you develop your own personal illustration style. From there we will discuss the ins and outs…

Are you curious about clothing design, conceptualization, and decorative construction? In this two-week workshop, you’ll learn hand sewing techniques that will then be used to rework and decorate the most commonly worn garment: the button-down shirt. Through this project, you will learn how to design, customize, and make new, unique…

Truth & Dare is a creative workshop and community favorite that offers one truth (in the form of a writing prompt) and one dare (an art-inspired challenge to make/do) each week. Taking inspiration from contemporary artists and writers, we’ll generate our own work on the page and out in the…

This songwriting class is for experienced songwriters looking to create a cohesive body of work. Participants will share songs and concepts for new material – either pre-recorded or performed in class- to workshop with their peers. Group critiques will help develop your songs and inspire new ideas. We will focus…

This six-week workshop is for rising juniors and seniors who are beginning to think about college and career options in visual and graphic arts, product and packaging, or environments and experience design. Through weekly meetings – including hybrid get togethers in July – and a combination of group and individual…

In this four-week hybrid workshop, students will collaborate to create an original audio sound walk that focuses on Portland’s vibrant street art scene. We will use digital recorders to capture in-the-field audio and original narration as we explore four different mural locations, selected in partnership with Portland Street Art Alliance…

This workshop will focus on risograph printing and zine making, with an emphasis on using printmaking and books as vessels for your ideas and creative experiments. We’ll explore mark making, drawing, not-drawing, storytelling, collage, and more all through the lens of printing and zines! Zero drawing experience is needed—all are…

How have you experienced change and transformation over the last year? In this workshop, we will explore ourselves thorough film, writing prompts, and other media forms that speak to personal and public change, transformation, and revolution. We will deep dive into our cultural artifacts in the form of documentary film,…

Truth & Dare is a creative workshop and youth community favorite that offers one truth (in the form of a writing prompt) and one dare (an art-inspired challenge to make/do) each week. Taking inspiration from contemporary artists and writers, we’ll generate our own work on the page and in the…

Why are some lyrics more evocative and memorable than others? What does the interplay between lyrics and melody sound like in the very best songs? In this workshop, we’ll unpack the secrets of great lyric writing using techniques like sense-bound writing and writing from multiple perspectives in order to develop…

What makes something funny? How does a comedy writer turn a funny idea into a fully fleshed out sketch? In this workshop, you’ll learn the basics of writing sketch comedy including brainstorming, beats and structure, “heightening” what’s funny, and how to draw on your experience of the world around you…

Black art isn’t made in a vacuum. References, aesthetics, and history echo through the works of Black artists as diverse as Jean Michel Basquiat and Kara Walker. In Echolocations we’ll explore these intersections to illuminate how you and your artistic voice mirror those of great Black artists from around the…

This songwriting workshop focuses on intention setting and organization of structural composition, while maintaining authenticity throughout the process.  It is designed for those that are hoping to create a body of work that best represents who they are as an artist, but more importantly discover who they are as a…

In this workshop, we will move, dance, write, think, and play. Through various movement practices, writing prompts, and self-meditation, we’ll explore how abstract movements, dance moves, and physical actions can express ideas such as emotion, relationship, and identity, which language alone cannot describe. Wear comfortable outfits and come prepared to…

Award winning emcee, artist, poet and educator Jason Graham (MOsley WOtta) uses free-verse writing, conversation and the concept of uncertainty as kindling for the fire of inspiration. In this workshop we will explore what it means to tackle uncertainty, fear and vulnerability through self-knowledge and free-form self-expression. We will talk,…

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work for a company like Apple, Google, Nike, Louis Vuitton, Hulu or Beats creating content in all the most relevant and contemporary forms of media? In this 2 1/2 week workshop, you’ll learn about the career path of a Creative…

Join audio engineer Adam Lee as he demystifies the process of audio production and shows you how he mixes a song from start to finish. You’ll learn how to organize your tracks and gain a solid foundation in mixing basics – frequency, panning and compression, as well as EQ and…

Our material possessions can provide an incredible insight into our daily worlds.  In this workshop, we will collect everyday objects to assemble our own found art time capsules. How can we make our own empowering personal history for the future? We’ll play with narratives, explore archives, and look at memes…

This collaborative workshop is designed for students with some previous songwriting experience. Each week students will be given a new writing prompt and will work in small, rotating groups to co-write and record songs with a common theme. Students will also share their personal work, bringing songs-in-progress to class for…

This workshop will focus on creative exercises and conversations about the ideas and concepts that define Socially Engaged Art, an artistic practice that experiments with social situations, relationships, and contexts (ie. people) the same way a studio-based artist manipulates paint, clay, or video as their medium. We will delve into the…

In this workshop, we’ll explore new work by contemporary artists and writers and generate our own projects both on the page and in the world. Each week students choose one truth (a writing prompt) and one dare (a creative challenge to make/do) and work toward a final project in the…

Why are some lyrics more evocative and memorable than others? What does the interplay between lyrics and melody sound like in the very best songs? In this workshop, we’ll unpack the secrets of great lyric writing using techniques like sense-bound writing and writing from multiple perspectives. We’ll also welcome professional…

In an era of remote learning, how do we stay creatively connected to our friends, our school communities, and the experience of being a high schooler in 2020? This workshop offers students the opportunity to use multiple forms of creative expression to document and connect with each other at the…

In this workshop, students will learn about museums and power structures within the art world through a survey of contemporary Black artists and exhibitions. We’ll create modern art collections in our homes by way of building original work and using digital video to curate and share our HOMA collections. Using…

Learn how to customize your sneakers in this 90-minute mini-workshop with artist and pro-skater, Sebo Walker. Sebo will share the different approaches he uses when customizing sneakers, like creating a simple pattern and repeating it, either across the entire shoe or as an accent on desired sections like a swoosh…

Join illustrator Carson Ellis for a self-portrait mini-workshop. During our 90-minute session, we’ll use a simple template as the foundation to explore our faces in detail. What makes them uniquely ours and how do we translate that to paper? This will be an opportunity for quiet and meditation, to slow…

In the newest iteration of this popular workshop, we’ll continue to explore work by contemporary artists and writers, generating our own projects both on the page and in the world. Each week you’ll choose one truth and one dare and work toward a final project that will be a culmination…

This workshop is for students enrolled in CTE Design & Applied Arts Intermediate and Advanced level courses including Visual/Studio Arts, Ceramics, Sculpture, Digital Media, and Production Design who are beginning to think about college and career options in the worlds of art and design. Through weekly meetings, individual and group…

Join acclaimed Hip Hop artist and activist Mic Crenshaw for an exploration of the ever-changing nature of Hip Hop’s past, present, and future. We’ll look at the work of artists on the local, national and global stages and investigate the role of Hip Hop culture and activism in transforming reality.…

*Offered exclusively to Benson and Franklin High School students, this Virtual Academy connects with Digital Media & Video Production CTE courses and helps fulfill your Work Based Learning requirement. Open to ALL Benson and Franklin students with priority given to those currently enrolled in Digital Media and Video Production CTE…