Merger of Northwind Arts Center and Port Townsend School of the Arts finalized at last

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Northwind Arts Center and Port Townsend School of the Arts will, as of Jan. 1, 2021, become a single, combined entity.

The new nonprofit will be called Northwind Art.

“Over the next several months, the focus will be on strategic planning, building infrastructure and capacity to address the current crises and move confidently forward into 2021 and beyond,” Northwind Art officials said in an Oct. 14 announcement.

The idea of a merger had been the topic of discussion since earlier this year, with officials saying the resulting combined organization would be a regional center for shows, classes, exhibits, and workshops, including both in-person and online events.

According to the recent announcement, Northwind Art will consist of three “pillars” of endeavor, including “education, with a major initiative to increase online support for both remote and in-person learning; exhibitions, with two locations now plus community exhibition partnerships; and a broadly expanded program called Artist Advancement, to help artists grow their markets, learn new skills, and increase their incomes.”

“Artists are at the center of the Northwind Art mission,” the announcement said, “from the bright-eyed 6-year-old to the late-in-life aspirants to the lifelong professionals.”

Teresa Verraes, the current executive director of the Port Townsend School of the Arts, will lead Northwind Art.

“A silver lining of this pandemic is having the opportunity to see clearly how vital and vibrant the arts are here and how dependent we are on them,” Verraes said.

“It has shone a light on what we have and what we need to do to ensure the survival of our arts community. We have united to better support and grow arts and culture in Jefferson County.”

Michael D’Alessandro, currently the executive director of Northwind Arts Center, will be continuing in a management role for the new organization.

“Northwind Art will continue to provide the community with what [the Port Townsend School of the Arts] and Northwind Arts Center each currently does well – education and exhibits,” D’Alessandro said. “And we are adding an artist support network that will grow opportunities for artists, including entrepreneurial and philanthropic avenues, as well as tools and training – much like an artist trust for our region.”

The Port Townsend School of the Arts works with artists and offers scholarships and classes for all levels. It is a gathering place for artists to network and share what they learn.

Northwind, sitting just blocks away on Water Street, is primarily a gallery but has 14 additional programs in visual, literary, and performance arts, many of which occur off-site.

“In a nutshell, Northwind does exhibits really, really well. We do education really really well. Together we can expand our capacity,” Verraes said.

Northwind Art will launch its first fundraiser Dec. 6, called “Weave It Together.”

The event will raise funds for new technology, scholarships and expanded programs and will feature an auction of original works of art and unique, themed gift baskets.

Registration is required for participation.

Visit NorthwindArt.org to learn more and check out the auction catalog.