After a tough day with bullies last year, middle schooler Grace Black didn’t feel much like being creative.

With gentle encouragement, Black’s mom suggested some art-making could brighten her spirits, and drove the teen over to the Bunker, Northwind Art School’s youth space at Fort Worden State Park. Emerging with a smile and two artfully-carved pumpkins a few hours later, Black appeared transformed.

“It feels like a place where I can come and make art, and people listen to me, and I feel comfortable,” Black said.

Launched in 2018 by local artist Julie Read and run by volunteer artists, the Bunker is free to attend. This month, they expanded from a twice-monthly program to now offer open sessions every single Friday from 4 to 6 p.m.

“It has always been hard to find enough volunteers, so meeting every other week was really the only option,” Read said via email. “As a group we felt we ought to take the leap, and hope that volunteers will come out of the woodwork.”

The Bunker’s trained artist volunteers occasionally offer demos in media such as figure drawing and wire sculpture. Others prepare snacks, help with setup and cleanup of the classroom, and spend time engaging with teen artists.

Dana Sullivan, a Port Townsend illustrator and author, is a frequent Bunker volunteer. Other volunteer artists include Margie McDonald and Michele Soderstrom of PT Artscape, a nonprofit organization that also provides the Bunker with snacks, supplies, and energetic support. 

Sullivan shares drawing demonstrations, and said he admires young people like Black and Yemma Blair, a home-schooled student and frequent Bunker visitor. 

“I love how honest Grace is,” Sullivan said. “She wants to make art. She wants to draw dragons … she’s completely genuine.”

Read said they see many repeat teen visitors at the program. Sullivan described the Bunker as a space where young people can relax and be themselves, creating side-by-side without pressure.

“[They] realize they’re in a safe spot,” Sullivan said. 

Local artists and craftspeople interested in volunteering at the Bunker are encouraged to contact Read at artbyjulieread@gmail.com. To support the teen studio with a donation, visit PTArtscape.com.

The nonprofit Northwind Art School, located in buildings 306 and 324 at Fort Worden, offers more than 40 classes and workshops for teens and adults this season. For more information about the Bunker, and to fill out a parent permission form, visit NorthwindArt.org and click on the Courses link.