Winter
Jan 4 - April 5
Sundays
7pm-9pm
Portland
Village Ballroom
Winter is nearly here—the long pause before everything wakes again. The trees begin to rest, the light grows thin, and beneath the surface, things quietly prepare to return.
For many of us, this time of year can bring a kind of creative stillness too. The pace slows, the spark flickers, and we start to wonder where our inspiration wandered off to. But winter isn’t only for retreat. It’s also for nourishment—for tending the quiet parts of ourselves that want to grow again.
These twelve weeks are a small greenhouse for that process: a space to stretch out of creative hibernation, reconnect with your imagination, and find good company along the way.
(We’re all little root bbs waiting to grow)
What is The Artist’s Way?
(Your new fav book)
There’s a good chance you’ve heard of The Artist’s Way, or maybe you even have a copy sitting on your shelf, bookmarked somewhere around week five.
Written by Julia Cameron, this has become a near sacred text for artists, and it’s a classic for a reason. For over 30 years, this book has guided people back to their creative pulse - which I think you’ll find is a process of remembering, more than learning. In a world that often treats creativity like a commodity or an identity, it’s a relief to remember it’s simply part of being human.
We all share a birthright to make things, to play, to express. Sometimes we just need a bit of structure and a supportive group to help bring it back to life. The book does this through “tools” and 12 weeks of reading and reflection.
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The book unfolds over twelve chapters, each one titled “Recovering a Sense of _____.” Together, they guide you through reflection: What’s been stirred up in your creative life so far, and what might be waiting just ahead.
Julia Cameron wrote The Artist’s Way after noticing the patterns that help artists move through creative blocks. It’s less a manual and more a steady companion for the wobbly, wonderful process of making things.
I find that the reading is really a way to make sense of and stick with “the tools”
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Morning Pages.
3 handwritten pages each morning. This may sound incredibly daunting but I promise, this is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself.Artist Dates.
Every week, you will take your “Inner Artist” on a date: playtime for your creative soul.
But you don’t have to do it alone!
(your creative crew awaits)
This practice can feel vulnerable and a little uncomfortable at times. That’s often why people make it a few weeks in and toss the book back on the shelf. But here’s the thing: the steps are simple—you just have to show up. Doing it with a group makes all the difference. There’s built-in encouragement, a sense of accountability, and the shared joy of seeing what unfolds when everyone sticks with it.
If you’ve been looking for community and meaningful connection, this is a space for that. You’ll spend time with others from all sorts of backgrounds, each following the same curious trail through the creative wilderness.
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Each meeting, following a few words from me, your facilitator, we’ll have a two sets of discussion groups:
- First, a mixed group so you can have a chance to connect with others
- Second, your recurring group of 5-7 members where you can share more intimately -
If you have a friend you’d like to go through this with, there’s a spot in registration to list them as part of your “core group.” You can stick together—or roll the dice and be paired with new faces. Sometimes the best conversations happen with strangers who have no idea who you’ve been, only who you’re becoming.
Where are we meeting?
We’ll be meeting in a hundred-year-old ballroom in Northeast Portland. A big, beautiful space that’s held plenty of gatherings and celebrations over the years. That’s where we’ll have our structured time together each Sunday.
Downstairs is Laverne’s, a cozy neighborhood bar with good food and easy company. It’s the perfect spot to grab a bite before we start or hang out afterward to keep the conversations rolling. Think class upstairs and recess below.
Who is hosting this thing?
It’s me! I’m Elliott Snyder. This will be my fifth time facilitating The Artist’s Way, and the biggest in-person group yet.
I know the wiggly world of creativity pretty well. I’m one half of Old Friend, a design studio here in Portland. Alongside my business partner, Jesse Morrow, I’ve also helped start the bars Company (with Randy too!) and Collector. There are always a few other explorations: painting, writing, and lately, just some long sits in the woods.
(The Lovely 2024 A.W. Crew)
“I’ve been doing my own creative thing in Portland for some time. But the Artist’s Way is the first time I’ve felt like I wasn’t alone. Community is such a most important part of creativity and what Elliott fosters has given me that. I’m so grateful”
-Victoria T.
Ok! I’m in!
This program runs on a simple principle: creative work grows best when everyone can participate.
The tiers below reflect different ways of tending the same garden.
Choose the level that feels right for your current season of life. All participants receive the same experience.
Early Bird Pricing until Nov. 15
This tier represents what what I’d say the experience is truly worth — and helps fund scholarship spots and a closing celebration.
You make it possible for others to grow alongside you, and help the creative ecosystem thrive.
This tier reflects the actual cost of running the program — venue, materials, time.
Choosing this tier helps the course sustain itself and keeps the program balanced for everyone.
***If cost is a genuine barrier, there are a few volunteer spots available. These are limited and reserved for those who wouldn’t be able to join otherwise. If this is you, send an email to the address below.***
FAQs
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20-60 min of daily journalling.
~1 hr weekly reading.
2 hour weekly in-person meeting
A weekly artist date can be whatever you wish, but should feel prioritized within your week.
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YES! Whether you consider yourself creative or not, this is for anyone who is curious about exploring their own creativity more and can commit to some daily practices & weekly meetings.
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This particular course is targeted mostly at adults 21+ . If you or someone you know are younger and interested, please send me a message and we’ll chat. If you’re reading this as a senior, please join! We need your wisdom.
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Yes! and ideally get a physical copy, you’ll likely want to highlight lines and take notes in it’s spacious margins. Mine is plenty dog-eared and annotated.
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You’ll need a journal that you can write in each day for your morning pages. I like using the XL moleskine ones, but choose your own fav!
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You are allowed to show up as imperfectly as needed. You may miss weeks, your morning pages may ebb and flow, but I encourage you to trust the process. If you feel compelled, take the leap and the net will appear (one of my favorite quotes from the book)
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You’ve got your spot! Grab yourself a copy of the book and read the intro if you like. I’ll reach out as the day gets closer with more details.
More Questions?
Please send me a message! I’m happy to answer whatever curiosities you may have.
send an email to elliott@oldfriend.co