A hero!

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. Part way through the term, we’ll share what we’ve learned with a live performance at the NW Folklife Festival, celebrating our collective sound and growth. Come sing with us!

All experience levels welcome. You may register for this class in addition to another class. Spring performance at Northwest Folklife on 5/25.

This class will combine the subtle minimalism of Japanese haiku poetry and the versatile visual imagery of comics. Each session will invite you to capture small, beautiful moments from daily life that often go unnoticed. We will learn about the structure and rules of haiku as well as the fundamentals of comics through guided instruction, reflection, gentle prompts, and supportive group sharing that will help you develop your own illustrated narrative poems while building tools for self-expression, insight, and creative confidence.

Our art-making sessions will include mindfulness practices, guided visualizations, and somatic (mind–body–spirit) awareness exercises to help you connect more deeply with your experiences.

A-Song-A-Week is an opportunity to explore the medium of songwriting in an inclusive environment with weekly prompts, sharing, and a look at the inner workings of the songs we love. Songs can communicate from the heart. We’ll support each other in discovering what that elusive organ might like to say, and above all, we’ll be kind to ourselves and hold close the philosophy of poet William Stafford that, “There is no such thing as writer’s block for the writer whose standards are low enough.”

No previous music experience necessary.

Clay offers a grounding and restorative way to connect with your creativity. In this class, you’ll explore handbuilding techniques—pinch, coil, and slab—while also letting the clay guide you toward surprises and discoveries. We’ll add surface design methods like inlay, sgraffito, and underglaze to deepen personal expression. Whether you make sculptural pieces or functional objects for everyday use, the focus is on relaxation, joy, and the therapeutic process of creating. Depending on interest and time, we may also try the pottery wheel.

In this collaborative drum and vocal ensemble, we’ll draw on rhythms from around the world to create original musical compositions together. Using percussion instruments, body rhythm, found poetry, and original lyrics, we’ll experiment with layering beats and voices to build dynamic group pieces.

Through call-and-response exercises, rhythm games, and creative writing prompts, you’ll explore how words and percussion can work together to tell a story and express emotion.

No prior musical experience is needed—just a willingness to listen, participate, and make some joyful noise as we compose and perform as a community.

In this experimental printmaking class, we will explore how to create bold impressions using handmade stamps, stencils, and layered printing techniques. Participants will design their own printmaking foam stamps, experiment with printing on multiple surfaces, and discover how repetition can build exciting compositions. We will explore color, pattern, and texture while printing on a variety of surfaces. Midway through the class we will participate in an optional print swap, sharing artwork with classmates and receiving new prints by the final week.

What does memory smell like? How does joy taste? In this class, the senses become sparks for writing poetry. Through playful prompts, soundscapes, and group activities, you’ll explore how sight, touch, taste, smell, and sound can open new pathways into creativity. Emotions will serve as guides as we transform everyday experiences into imagery, rhythm, and metaphor. Activities are adaptable for all body types and abilities, with options to write, speak, listen, or simply observe. Together, we’ll create a supportive space to play, write, and share — discovering new ways to connect with ourselves, each other, and the world.

No poetry experience needed — just curiosity and openness! This class is open to both veterans and non-veterans.

Who do you see when you look in the mirror? In this class, we’ll explore identity through reflection, writing, and art-making. Together, we’ll consider questions like: How do I see myself? How do I want to be seen? What feels true to me? Through guided prompts we’ll listen to our “inside voice” and explore what wants to be expressed visually.

Participants will then create their own symbolic “mirror” using materials such as paint, mixed media, papier-mâché, air dry clay, and upcycled or recycled materials. You might represent yourself as an animal, an element of nature, the ocean, a tree — or any image that feels meaningful to you. There are no rules, only imagination, curiosity, and self-expression.

No prior experience needed, all levels are welcome.

Elevate your watercolor skills! This intermediate class is designed to deepen your understanding of this captivating medium. Build upon your foundation as we explore advanced techniques, color theory, and composition. Master the art of layering, blending, and lifting to create depth and dimension in your work. Discover new approaches to subjects and unleash your artistic vision. Whether you’re aiming for realism or abstract expression, this course will help you refine your style and create stunning watercolor masterpieces.

Recommended Prior Experience: This intermediate watercolor class is designed for those with prior experience in watercolor painting. A strong foundation in basic watercolor techniques, such as wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, and color mixing, is recommended. Participant Artists who have previously completed the “Exploring Watercolor” beginner class or have equivalent experience will find this course most beneficial.

This class invites participants to practice “slow looking” through drawing and watercolor painting inspired by nature. Using leaves, plants, and other natural materials as references, we’ll explore observation, mark-making, and color in a relaxed and supportive environment. Each session will include guided demonstrations as well as time for personal exploration, encouraging participants to develop their own visual language while connecting with the natural world.

No prior experience needed.

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.

Spring performance at Northwest Folklife on 5/25.