The Verdancy Project offers a variety of art, nature and science based workshops and events.
If you are a teacher interested in offering a workshop at The Verdancy Project please visit our teaching page.
If you would like to find out about our upcoming workshops and events please sign up for our mailing list.
DEEP BLOOM Ephemeral mask-making as a meditation on Shadow and Light
Date: Sunday, May 31, 2026
Time: 1pm - 3:30pm + 1 hour of self-guided reflection/exploration
Age: 16+
Cost: $125
All materials included.
Limited scholarships and work-study available. Reach out to learn more
Join us for a 2.5-hour immersive workshop to slow down, breathe deep, and explore the beauty and wisdom that blooms at the very edges of our beings.
As Spring transforms into Summer, our world spins ever faster with uncertainty and Shadows. Each new wave of news and technological advances raises questions that shake the very core of our identities as human beings. How do we hold ourselves and each other through the chaos, pain, and paradox of it all?
In this workshop, we will introduce the concept of the Jungian Shadow through a grounded, animist lens - not as something broken, but as a subterranean archive of potentiality, insight, and nourishment.
Through guided prompts, quiet reflection, and tender connection with the land, you will be invited on a journey to discover the wisdom and vitality buried within the secret reaches of your own inner landscape.
Using fresh flowers, foraged treasures, and other natural elements you will create a botanical face mask - an ephemeral expression of that which dances just out of reach, ready to bloom forth into the the Light of Summer. Each mask will be captured as a photographic portrait to anchor your transformation.
We will close with a community ritual of witnessing, cleansing, and integration followed by optional self-guided time for further reflection.
Our journey will unfold at the Verdancy Project - an artist oasis of 4 wooded acres just outside of Portland, Oregon. The Verdancy Project is rich with both wilderness and carefully tended gardens, hidden coves, a bubbling creek, and living art installations.
No prior art or movement experience necessary to attend. All materials provided.
Our aim is to make this work as accessible as possible to all who wish to be a part of it. If you are called to join us, but pricing is prohibitive for any reason, please reach out to inquire about work-study or scholarship accommodations.
THIS WORKSHOP IS FOR YOU IF YOU ARE
Craving to slow down, ground, and remember the wonder of everyday things
Curious to gently and playfully dive into the Shadow Archetype
Excited to learn new approaches to mask-making and personal adornment
Drawn to the magic of working with plants, flowers, and other natural materials
Searching for an intentional container in which your body and your breath can unwind in community with others
WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE:
A conceptual framework for understanding and relating to the Shadow archetype
An introduction to local plants and ethical foraging practices
Everything you need to create your very own botanical Shadow Mask
A photographic portrait capturing your ephemeral Shadow Mask creation
Tools and rituals to integrate and anchor insights that emerge from your explorations
A facilitated space to ask questions, dialogue, create, and play in community with others
And much, much more
WHAT TO BRING
Journal and writing/drawing utensils
Something you can move in comfortably (we recommend layers for both cool and warm weather)
Sturdy comfortable shoes suitable for wooded/uneven terrain
Water bottle
Your favorite facial cleanser and moisturizer (if you have one)
A small clean towel
Anything else you may need to comfortably spend 3-4 hours outdoors (sunscreen, snacks, etc)
ABOUT SHADOW TENDER:
Shadow Tender is a creative project and a school of thought that invites you to dance with your demons through mask-making and creative expression. Unlike a traditional therapeutic or coaching environment, which encourages verbal exchange, the focus of Shadow Tender workshops is on creative play, embodied self-expression, and discovery.
Borne of many years of formal study, underground art experiments, old-growth wilderness, illness, healing, loss, grief, and joy, Shadow Tender is our path towards bone-deep knowledge that there are always ways to heal and remember, and that our inner monsters can hold the keys to our brightest light.
We believe that shadow work is a living process, a wild process, a dance - an unfolding of the self that has power to repair the very foundations of our beings. We believe that shadow work is a physical, social, creative act - stitch by stitch, gesture by gesture, story by story…embodied poetry carving a path to deeper connection through and beyond the self.
The Deep Bloom Workshop is part of our special 10-year anniversary programming designed to celebrate a decade of shadow tending, creativity, and collaboration.
In a world that continually seeks to lead us further and further away from ourselves and each other, it is our greatest honor to continue to share this work with you.
You can read more about the story of Shadow Tender here.
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTORS
Natalya Kolosowsky is a bilingual artist, facilitator, and teacher of creative processes and the founder of the Shadow Tender project.
She was born in Siberia but grew up in the Sonoran desert, which created a life-long interest in bridging worlds that normally remain invisible to each other and navigating realities polarized by a history of antagonism and fear. Natalya’s teaching approach is informed by over three decades of experience in dance and somatic practices; two decades of yoga practice; and formal training in expressive arts and the psychology and neuroscience of trauma resilience.
Natalya holds a BS in Psychology and a BFA in Visual Communication from the University of Arizona, as well as a MFA in Theatre Arts from the University of Oregon. She is also currently becoming a certified Buteyko breathwork instructor via Patrick McKeown’s Buteyko Clinic International in Ireland. Natalya’s work has been presented in universities, conferences, museums, and theaters around the world.
You can learn more by visiting natalyakolosowsky.com or follow her on Instagram @natalya_chaos.
Maria Thomas is multidisciplinary artist, martial arts instructor, and stunt woman based in Portland, Oregon.
Her passion for martial arts and dance, as well as her experiences with chronic illness, have fueled a fascination with the way we use our bodies to communicate, navigate, and integrate with our surroundings. Her current work uses creatures and characters from folklore and mythology to explore growth, decay, and transformation.
Maria has over 20 years of experience teaching diverse populations and is a 4th degree black belt in Tang Soo Do with over 25 years of experience in multiple martial arts. She has provided dance, stunts, and creature movement for live performance, television, and independent film projects. She currently manages the Tang Soo Do program at Aim High Martial Arts and teaches stage combat in local community theaters. Maria holds a BFA in Visual Communication from the University of Arizona.
You can follow her on Instagram @birdskullstudios
CANCELLATION POLICY
Because of the intimate nature of this offering and the bespoke materials we prepare for each participant, we are unable to accommodate last-minute cancellations.
Here's how it works:
Full refund if you cancel 7+ days before the event (by May 24th)
50% refund if you cancel 3-6 days before the event
No refund within 72 hours of the event - however, you are welcome to gift or transfer your spot to someone else
If there is a waitlist and we are able to fill your spot, we are happy to revisit a refund
Thank you for understanding. Your registration makes this experience possible, for you and for everyone who will be in the circle with you.
Field Notes - An Evening of Poetry and Prose in PDX
We are excited to present our first event in Portland. TVP in PDX!
Join us for Field Notes - An Evening of Poetry and Prose - Exploring Connection in its many forms-connection to place, to land, to other people, to memory, to the more-than-human world, or to oneself.
Featuring:
Shannon Amidon
Merridawn Duckler
Will Hornyak
Leah Jay
Brooke Kuhnhausen
Corey Pressman
Joellen Sweeney
Door open at 6pm with some light refreshments, craft activity and mingling. Readings begin promptly at 6:30.
Free admission - Seating is limited - You must RSVP to join
Brooke Kuhnhausen is a psychologist, with a deep love for imagination and meaning making and a cherisher of poetry, art, and music. She deeply values creativity, play and collaboration as portals of transformation and imagination so vitally needed for new ways of being together and with the earth. She cherishes exploring how contemplative, and embodied practices of presence might root us more deeply in resilience, interbeing, and aliveness in these potent and possible times. She has been part of a number of eco-feminist collaborations with written, spoken and visual art, including including writing for Deep Times Journal, the public talk Feeling in the Anthropocene, land art show Terra Incognita Luminaries, a meditation on Joy Harjo for Spring Creek Project and a reflection on Creative Belonging. Brooke lives on Kalapuya land in Portland, OR near many dear living beings, including kindred friends, family, and collaborators, beloved waterways, wild roses, and rich loamy earth.
Joellen Sweeney is a theatre artist, writer and teacher from Portland, Oregon. Her creative research focuses on environment; whether through whimsical, heartfelt writings, immersive and site-specific performance, or lush multi-layered vocal music, Joellen loves to create and support experiences that build connectedness between people and the natural world.
Recent theatre credits include work with Artists Repertory Theatre, Seattle Shakespeare Company, Shaking the Tree Theatre, Portland Experimental Theatre Ensemble, Northwest Children's Theatre and Renegade Opera, with whom she is a Creative Company Member. She is also a co-founder of Bedrock Theatre, a performance collective that combines storytelling, live music and hiking in parks and wilderness areas, and an Advisory Board Member at The Verdancy Project.
Taking after her grandfather, Ben Sweeney, (who wrote a poem everyday) Joellen writes essays and poetry when she’s supposed to be doing other work. Her first poetry collection, The Small Particulars, will be published by Verdant Publishing in Fall of 2025.
Shannon Amidon is an artist, writer, and community builder who lives and works in Troutdale, Oregon, where the forests, fields, and creek edges of the Pacific Northwest find their way into everything she makes. She is a wonder seeker, a beekeeper, a lover of insects, old books, and the kind of beauty that most people walk past without noticing.
Her writing explores creativity, ecology, and the art of building a life that means something. Her essays on art and creative practice have appeared in notable publications, and she is the author of Nurturing Creativity: A Guide to Building Your Artist Residency and Cultivating Creative Community and the anthology Cycles of Creation: Five Years of The Verdancy Project.
Shannon is the founder and director of The Verdancy Project, a multidisciplinary nature-based artist residency and creative community on a 4.5-acre property in Troutdale.
Will Hornyak- From American tall tales and Native American myths to Mexican fables, Russian fairytales and beyond, Will Hornyak weaves a wide web of beautifully crafted stories from oral traditions around the world. A strong performer with a love for the music and rhythm of language, Will fully engages his audiences in bringing traditional and original stories to life. He often shares the stage with audience members with lively participation stories.
Will teaches storytelling at Marylhurst University and performs at festivals, schools, theatres, pubs and churches throughout the United States. He has been a featured performer at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee and at numerous regional festivals. He was named Artist of the Year Young Audiences of Oregon and Southwest Washington. The National Storytelling Network awarded Will with the Brimstone Grant for his environmental education program: Living Streams: Stories for Healthy Watersheds. That program for K-6 schools, has educated and entertained over 60,000 students and teachers. He lives in Milwaukie, Oregon not far from the Willamette River where he loves to paddle a canoe.
Leah Jay is an artistic polymath, aspiring beat poet and “crazy dumbsaint of the mind”, spiritual seeker, follower of the Way, and fae forest defender who lives in Beaverton, Oregon. Five years ago she moved north from California driven by wildfires and opportunity. The isolation of the pandemic, coupled with the challenges of chronic illness, inspired her to rekindle her poetic urge, with her work only recently seeing publication.
She’s taken inspiration from: watercolors, acrylic paints, pastel chalks, ink, yarn, wool, paper, trees as friends, pond creatures, worlds both seen and unseen, Joan of Arc, biology, subatomic particle physics, and scripture from every religion. Her colorful, expressive art has been shown, published, and collected widely. Highlights from her art career include directing 2001’s WTC Memorial Art Project to facilitate artists’ responses to 9/11, and creating the artbook “Amphibian Love” which raised money for frog conservation efforts.
Leah is currently a comfort care hospice volunteer, and enjoys meditation and chanting with the Bright Way Zen spiritual community. Her most recent accomplishment is completing New York Zen Center’s Foundations in Contemplative Care program, and she looks forward to mastering the art of composing new prayers for a world that needs them.
Tend & Tell A Summer Land Art Experience
Join us for our land art residency presentations.
Artist talks · Land art installations · Nature activity
Saturday June 27th
1:oopm - 3:00pm
The Verdancy Project, 30310 SE Division DR. Troutdale, OR
Featuring
Barb Burwell
Annabel Cantor
Alexandra De Luise
Christina Lafontaine
Leiana Petlewski
Free admission · RSVP required Seating is limited - Register Here
Pressed Flower Workshop
July 18th
11 PM - 1 PM
All Ages
The Verdancy Project
Instructor: Shannon Amidon
$60 plus a $20 materials fee that includes wooden flower press + all materials
Step into the enchanting world of flower pressing and learn how to transform fresh blooms into timeless keepsakes. In this hands-on workshop, you'll receive your own personalized handmade wooden flower press, to continue your creative journey long after the class ends.
We’ll begin with a stroll through The Verdancy Project’s lush landscape, foraging a variety of flowers and foliage to work with. You’ll learn both quick and traditional pressing techniques, learning how to preserve nature’s beauty with ease.
Once you've gathered and pressed your materials, you'll spend the rest of the workshop creating with an array of pre-pressed botanicals, designing beautiful cards and bookmarks to take home. Whether you're drawn to floral art, nature journaling, or simply slowing down to appreciate the natural world, this workshop offers a beautiful way to press pause and create something lasting.
No experience necessary—all supplies provided.
This in-person workshop will be taking place outside under a tent or in a shaded area. The class is located in a rural natural environment with some uneven terrain. Please let us know if you have any accessibility requests or needs and we will do our best to accommodate them. Unfortunately, we are not mobility accessible at this time.
Cancelation policy:
Cancellations made 14 days or more in advance of the event date, will receive a 100% refund. Cancellations made within 7 days will receive a 50% refund. Cancellations made within 6 days of the event will not receive any refunds. Due to the nature of our workshops being taught by different instructors with different price points etc. credits for missed classes cannot be given.
Workshops are transferable if you cannot make it.
Sunset Forest Bathing and Poetry Reading
Experience the magical land of The Verdancy Project through the restorative practice of forest bathing. Forest bathing is inspired by the Japanese tradition of shinrin-yoku. Connect with your senses, relax your nervous system, and nourish your whole self while moving slowly and intentionally through this gorgeous forest ecosystem along Beaver Creek.
Your guide for this experience will be Julie Jansen of Earthbody Presence, a certified Forest Therapy Guide. She will offer a series of invitations to help you cultivate presence and interact with nature in creative new ways. You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with the other people in our small group and feel the power of community.
As the light softens toward golden hour, we'll gather beneath the trees for forest tea and snacks as we watch the sunset together. Julie's forest teas are something special, blended from plants she lovingly and sustainably harvests herself from around the Pacific Northwest.
As the world begins its transformation from day to night, Joellen Sweeney will read poetry that finds the extraordinary woven into the everyday. Much of her work moves through the beauty and mystery of the natural world, a perfect companion to everything the evening has already offered.
This is an experience for your nervous system, your sense of wonder, and your sense of belonging, to this place, to this season, and to the people gathered with you.
Where: The Verdancy Project, Troutdale, Oregon
When: Saturday, May 23, 2026
Time: 6:45–9:00 pm
Sliding scale: $20 / $25 / $30
Space is limited and intentionally small. Register soon to reserve your place.
Poetry Reading
Verdant Publishing author Joellen Sweeney and friend of TVP Brittney Corrigan will be sharing their poetry at Broadway Books in Portland, OR.
Joellen will read from her recently published debut collection, The Small Particulars, and Brittney will read from her most recent collection, Solastalgia.
In her debut poetry collection, The Small Particulars, Joellen Sweeney invites readers to pause, look closer, and rediscover the overlooked wonders that shape a life. With language both tender and unflinching, these poems traverse memory, love, fear, grief, and resilience, reminding us that even the smallest moments hold infinite universes. From childhood encounters with fairy letters, to meditations on wildfire, anxiety, and the multiverse of human connection, Sweeney writes with a clarity that is both intimate and expansive. Each poem becomes a loop of string laid gently around the overlooked, illuminating how the details we nearly miss can transform into landscapes of meaning.
Grounded in the natural world yet alive to the complexities of contemporary life, The Small Particulars resonates with anyone who has ever found solace in the forest, traced the arc of a falling star, or searched for beauty in the midst of uncertainty.
Joellen Sweeney is a writer, theatre maker, and teaching artist from Portland, Oregon. Her creative research focuses on environment; whether through whimsical, heartfelt writings, immersive and site-specific performance, or lush multi-layered vocal music, Joellen loves to create and support experiences that build connectedness between people and the natural world. Her debut poetry collection The Small Particulars was published in December 2025 by Verdant Publishing.
Solastalgia is a dazzling collection of poems about climate change, extinction, and the Anthropocene Age. Recalling Joni Mitchell's famous lyric "They paved paradise, put up a parking lot," Solastalgia is a heart-wrenching and harrowing overview of environmental destruction. Though it is an ominous exploration of the Anthropocene era and the ways humans have contributed to the changing climate and landscape, it spends much of its time honoring all the strange and wondrous creatures-"may you outlast us"- that humans, both intentionally and unwittingly, are shoving toward extinction's cliff. Solastalgia is an eloquent tribute to all the awe-inspiring flora and fauna that we have failed as a species. Using language as the tool to effect change, these poems make you want to be better, do better.
Brittney Corrigan is the author of the poetry collections Daughters, Breaking, Navigation, 40 Weeks, and Solastalgia. Brittney’s debut short story collection, The Ghost Town Collectives, won the 2023 Osprey Award for Fiction from Middle Creek Publishing. Brittney is the recipient of a 2025 Oregon Literary Fellowship and a former editor with Airlie Press. She was raised in Colorado and has lived in Portland, Oregon for over three decades, where she is an event planner at her alma mater, Reed College.
The Last Harvest - Seed Session
Join us for our very last Seed Session Salon
The Last Harvest
Date: Saturday, Sept. 27th
Time: 1-3:30pm
Location: Troutdale, OR
We are thrilled to feature:
Megan Chin - Land Art
Rachel Warren - Poetry
Earthbody Presence - Meditation
Hiroshi Ichikawa - Land Art
tiny vessels - Movement
Wildflower Pages - Seed & Dried Flower Paper Workshop
September 13th
11 AM - 1:00 PM
$48 | Includes all materials
The verdancy Project, Troutdale, OR
Join us for a hands-on workshop where creativity meets sustainability! Learn how to transform natural and recycled materials into beautiful, plantable seed paper, a unique way to reduce waste and spread beauty that grows.
You’ll be introduced to the art and process of papermaking, exploring tools, techniques, and tips for working with pulp, seeds, and dried flowers. With step-by-step, hands-on instruction, you’ll create your own stack of handmade seed paper, incorporating wildflower seeds and dried flowers.
These beautiful and functional papers are perfect for crafting cards, bookmarks, gift tags, and more, and when planted, they’ll bloom into something new.
No experience is needed, just bring your creativity! Whether you’re crafting with kids, friends, or coming solo, this workshop offers a fun and meaningful way to connect with nature, creativity, and sustainable art.
Bloom Seed Session
Join us for our Bloom Seed Session Salon
Date: Saturday, August 9th
Time: 1-3pm
Location: Troutdale, OR
We are thrilled to feature:
Leiana Petlewski - Movement
Brittney Corrigan - Poetry
Julie Jansen (Earthbody Presence) - Meditation
Activities include honey tasting, bubble play, and connecting with nature in a meaningful way
Learn more about our performers here
Tickets are very limited, if you reserve a ticket and can’t make it please let us know asap so we can release it to someone else.
There is no charge to attend these events, if you enjoy your experience there will be an opportunity to donate to the performers.
Please note, that tickets are per car, reserve 1 “car” ticket and bring as many people as will fit in your vehicle. Do not reserve a ticket for each person.
Literary Landscapes: Storytelling & Silent Reading Gathering with Live Bossa Nova
Escape into a world of words and music at Literary Landscapes, an immersive reading and storytelling experience set in the heart of nature. Join us on our beautiful property for a magical evening of literature, conversation, and the soothing sounds of live Brazilian Bossa Nova music.
We’ll begin with a short story read aloud by award winning writer Conor Eifler. Then, you’ll have an hour to read silently on your own. We will conclude the evening with some time to mingle and chat with your fellow book lovers.
Gentle melodies of live Bossa Nova performed by Tres Amigos will provide the perfect backdrop, weaving music into the literary experience.
Feel free to bring a picnic dinner
Book Exchange - Bring a book or tow you've loved and are ready to pass on, and leave with a new literary treasure; simply place your book on the exchange table and choose another in return!
Date: Thursday, July 17th
Time: 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Ticket Price: Free - Donations for the musicians are encourage at the event
No pets or smoking
Space is very limited, reserve your spot today!
Please note, that tickets are per car, reserve 1 “car” ticket and bring as many people as will fit in your vehicle. Do not reserve a ticket for each person.
Cultivate - June Seed Session
Join us for our Cultivate Seed Session Salon
Date: Saturday, June 21st
Time: 1-3pm
Location: Troutdale, OR
We are thrilled to feature:
Madeline Ross
Erin Ratzlaf
Joellen Sweeney
Amy Stocky
Christina Lafontaine
Learn more about our performers here
Tickets are very limited, if you reserve a ticket and can’t make it please let us know asap so we can release it to someone else.
There is no charge to attend these events, if you enjoy your experience there will be an opportunity to donate to the performers.
Please note, that tickets are per car, reserve 1 “car” ticket and bring as many people as will fit in your vehicle. Do not reserve a ticket for each person.
Soil Chromatography Workshop
Soil chromatography is an incredible photographic process that reveals the mineral and organic composition of soil through intricate patterns. Originally developed by scientist Ehrenfried Pfeiffer, this technique helps visualize soil health in a way that is both scientific and artistic.
In this workshop, you will learn the cultural and scientific history of soil chromatography, review the process for making these remarkable images including safe handling of photochemistry, make a chromatogram you can take home, and learn how to interpret the results. This will be a hands-on learning experience.
This is a fun opportunity to blend art, science, and nature in a creative and educational experience. Space is limited, so reserve your spot now!
Date : Saturday, May 17, 2025
Time: 2 - 4 pm - 2 hours
Age: Adults (we will be working with chemicals that need to be handled with care)
Instructor: Artist and Community Scientist Shelly Smith
Location: The Verdancy Project, 30310 SE Division DR. Troutdale, OR
Cost: $45 - Includes all materials
Overview
Soil chromatography is a photographic process that uses photochemistry to create images of mineral and organic components found in soil. This process was originally developed by soil scientist and biodynamic farming advocate Ehrenfried Pfeiffer to give farmers an accessible way to test soil health. In addition to visually demonstrating soil health, the resulting images, called chromatograms, create stunning patterns.
A Sense of Place Retreats Through the Four Seasons
Earthbody Presence is thrilled to collaborate with The Verdancy Project for a series of seasonal retreats. During four retreats, one for each season of the year, you’ll have the opportunity to cultivate a relationship with 4.5 acres of forested land in Troutdale, OR and witness the transformation each season brings.
We encourage you to join us for all four retreats, though options are available for participating in one, two, or three of these offerings.
Summer Retreat: July 19th, 2025
Fall Retreat: October 18th, 2025
Winter Retreat: January 31, 2026
Guided practices will be woven into each seasonal retreat to connect you with yourself, the Earth, and sacred community. We’ll offer embodied meditation, movement, simple ritual, and forest bathing invitations. All of these experiences will be shared with authentic community. Join us for all four retreats and experience the full seasonality of place and cultivate a deep relationship with this inspiring land.
Winter Seed Session
Celebrate the season with us at our final Seed Session of the year, a heartfelt afternoon of creativity, connection, and wonder.
This special gathering will feature:
- Three enchanting performances
- A beautifully crafted Winter Altar
- Mini cedar swag-making
- Crackling fires and cozy warm beverages
Don’t miss this intimate celebration of winter, thoughtfully curated to inspire connection and seasonal joy.
Weather Update:
Most of this event will take place outdoors. In the event of a cancellation due to inclement weather (snow, ice, or heavy rain), we will notify attendees on the morning of the event.
We’re prepared to proceed in a light drizzle, so dress warmly and come ready for a memorable evening!
There is no charge to attend these events, if you enjoy your experience there will be an opportunity to donate to the performers.
Reserve Your Ticket Here
Artist Open Studio & Residency Info Session
Artist Open Studio
Join us on Sat Oct. 12th, 12pm-4pm for resident Alice Langlois's open studio. Alice will share her process of experimental stop-motion animation, using the replacement animation method with found objects. She will also be using our microscope to produce some experimental animation, and sharing the types of software and equipment she uses to make it.
Alice is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, with a BFA in Film/Animation/Video. Her work is heavily inspired by nature and ecology, which are not only personal interests but were part of her concentration at RISD. She has worked with independent artists and studios such as Mighty Oak, Houses in Motion, and LAIKA!
Residency Info Session:
Curious about our residency programs? Join us for an informal info session. Meet Residency Director Shannon Amidon, tour the grounds, and get all your questions answered about our residencies and creative offerings. Whether you’re interested in learning more about the programs or simply want to explore the land, you’re welcome to drop by!
Artist Open Studio & Residency Info Session
Oct 12th
12pm - 4pm
30310 SE Division DR.
Troutdale, OR 97060
Please park along the front shoulder of the property
Autumn Seed Session
Join us for our Autumn Seed Session Salon
Date: Saturday, Sept. 21st
Time: 2-4:30pm
Location: Troutdale, OR
Tickets are very limited, reserve your spot here.
Our theme for the Autumn Seed Session is harvest and abundance and we are thrilled to feature:
Brittney Corrigan will be reading from her poetry collection, Solastalgia, as well as offering new work.
Lisa Gilham and friends will bring a poem by Mary Oliver to life.
Bedrock Theatre will feature songs and stories inspired by the Greek Goddess of the Harvest, Demeter, and her daughter, Persephone.
Brooke Kuhnhausen - Brooke will create an altar for the Autumn Equinox honoring this liminal time through nature, beauty and the senses.
Activities include seed bomb making, nature weaving, and connecting with nature in a meaningful way
Tickets are very limited, if you reserve a ticket and can’t make it please let us know so we can release it to someone else. After reserving your spot you will be sent an email with the address and more info.
There is no charge to attend these events, if you enjoy your experience there will be an opportunity to donate to the performers.
Please note, that tickets are per car, reserve 1 “car” ticket and bring as many people as will fit in your vehicle. Do not reserve a ticket for each person.
Open Studio and Garden Tour
Join TVP alum Erica Gibson, and Kacy McKinney along with founder & director Shannon Amidon for an Open Art Studio & Nature Sojourn.
Saturday, September 14th
10:00am - 4:00pm
30310 SE Division DR. Troutdale, OR
Join us for an afternoon of art and nature! Explore the studio with original artwork, cards, ornaments, and more. Take a self-guided stroll through our enchanting 4.5-acre landscape, including gardens, woodland, and creek.
Open Studio Parking Map
Photographic Lumen Printing
Stroll the grounds of The Verdancy Project collecting botanical specimens to create your own beautiful and ghostly color prints. Each person attending this workshop will create a bundle of their own beautiful lumen prints – a cameraless photographic process – and be equipped with the skills and knowledge to continue creating lumen prints.
Nature Journaling
Nature Journaling
Saturday, August 3rd
10am - 1:30pm (Includes 30 min lunch break)
$45 + $10 materials fee
Ages 10 and up, & all levels of creative experience are welcome.
The Verdancy Project, 30310 SE Division DR, Troutdale, OR
A reminder email with more information will be sent out 1 week before the workshop
Register Here
Join us for an immersive journey into the world of nature journaling with visiting artist Lindsay Strout. In this introductory workshop, participants will embark on a voyage of discovery, honing their observational abilities while connecting deeply with the natural environment. Through a series of engaging activities, we will delve into the art of keen perception, exploring the wonders of nature with all our senses.
No prior artistic experience is necessary; this workshop is designed for enthusiasts of all skill levels. Rather than focusing on artistic perfection, our emphasis lies in the act of mindful observation and documentation. Through a blend of words and sketches, participants will learn to capture the essence of their surroundings, enriching their nature journals with vivid descriptions and detailed observations.
Key highlights of the workshop include:
Each student will receive their own watercolor set and journal to take home
Cultivating heightened awareness and sensory perception in nature
Mastering the fundamentals of nature journaling
Techniques for translating observations into expressive journal entries
Immersive journaling sessions amidst the serene landscapes of the Verdancy Project's land
By the end of the workshop, participants will have filled their journals with a variety of experiences, each page brimming with the vibrant tapestry of the natural world. Whether you're a seasoned naturalist or a curious beginner, this workshop promises to deepen your connection with nature and unlock the transformative power of mindful observation. Join us as we embark on a journey of discovery, one journal entry at a time.
Lindsay Strout is a Maine high school science educator who is very passionate about the outdoors and all it has to offer! She studied at the University of Prince Edward Island majoring in Biology and minoring in Environmental Studies. She taught English in South Korea for a few years, then traveled for an additional year to 9 other countries, living out of a backpack, exploring the various cultures, food & languages. Upon returning to Maine, she was introduced to nature journaling. Last year, Lindsay finished her year-long course to become a Maine Master Naturalist as well! Lindsay can’t wait to share her passion for the outdoors by nature journaling & cyanoprinting with you this summer!
This in-person workshop will be taking place outside under a tent or in a shaded area. The class is located in a rural natural environment with some uneven terrain. Please let us know if you have any accessibility requests or needs and we will do our best to accommodate them. Unfortunately, we are not mobility accessible at this time.
Cancelation policy:
Cancellations made 14 days or more in advance of the event date, will receive a 100% refund. Cancellations made within 7 days will receive a 50% refund. Cancellations made within 6 days of the event will not receive any refunds. Due to the nature of our workshops being taught by different instructors with different price points etc. credits for missed classes cannot be given. Workshops are transferable if you cannot make it.
Capturing Nature's Beauty: Cyanoprinting Workshop
Cyanoprinting: Capturing Nature's Beauty
Sunday, July 28th
11am - 2:30pm (Includes 30 min lunch break)
$65 + $10 materials fee
Ages 16 and up, & all levels of creative experience are welcome.
The Verdancy Project, 30310 SE Division DR, Troutdale, OR
A reminder email with more information will be sent out 1 week before the workshop
Register Here
Unlock the mesmerizing world of cyanotype printing in this immersive workshop. Cyanotype is a non-toxic photographic process that involves using chemistry and water to create a light-sensitive emulsion that reacts to a UV light source to create captivating blue-hued prints. Participants will delve into the art of cyanotype printing, harnessing the power of sunlight and natural objects to craft unique, one-of-a-kind treasures.
Throughout the session, students will:
Learn the fundamentals of cyanotype printing, from creating the light-sensitive emulsion to preparing the printing surface.
Explore various exposure lengths and techniques for capturing intricate shadows and details.
Create a collection of cyanoprints, each reflecting the beauty and uniqueness of the natural world.
Take home their exquisite prints, ready to be transformed into journals, bookmarks, or displayed as stunning artworks in their homes.
Join us for an unforgettable journey of creativity, exploration, and artistic expression as we bring together chemistry and nature in the enchanting realm of cyanotype printing.
Lindsay Strout is a Maine high school science educator who is very passionate about the outdoors and all it has to offer! She studied at the University of Prince Edward Island majoring in Biology and minoring in Environmental Studies. She taught English in South Korea for a few years, then traveled for an additional year to 9 other countries, living out of a backpack, exploring the various cultures, food & languages. Upon returning to Maine, she was introduced to nature journaling. Last year, Lindsay finished her year-long course to become a Maine Master Naturalist as well! Lindsay can’t wait to share her passion for the outdoors by nature journaling & cyanoprinting with you this summer!
This in-person workshop will be taking place outside under a tent or in a shaded area. The class is located in a rural natural environment with some uneven terrain. Please let us know if you have any accessibility requests or needs and we will do our best to accommodate them. Unfortunately, we are not mobility accessible at this time.
Cancelation policy:
Cancellations made 14 days or more in advance of the event date, will receive a 100% refund. Cancellations made within 7 days will receive a 50% refund. Cancellations made within 6 days of the event will not receive any refunds. Due to the nature of our workshops being taught by different instructors with different price points etc. credits for missed classes cannot be given. Workshops are transferable if you cannot make it.
Painting with Nature - Creating with Minerals, Rocks, and Soil
Painting with Nature - Creating with Minerals, Rocks, and Soil
Saturday, June 29th
1:00pm - 3:00pm
$85 + $10 materials fee
All levels of creative experience are welcome.
The Verdancy Project, 30310 SE Division DR, Troutdale, OR
A reminder email with more information will be sent out 1 week before the workshop
Register Here
Delve into the remarkable world of natural materials as we unleash the creative potential of the Earth itself. Join visiting artist Allison McElroy for an immersive workshop where you will explore the beauty and versatility of minerals, rocks, and soil, transforming them into paints that capture the essence of nature.
In this hands-on workshop, you'll discover the secrets of crafting your own paints using traditional techniques and innovative methods. From watercolors to ink, and even a glimpse into the world of oils, we'll delve into the art of pigment creation, allowing you to express yourself with the colors of the Earth.
Throughout the workshop, you'll learn wet and dry painting techniques, gaining insight into how to manipulate these unique mediums to bring your artistic vision to life. Additionally, we'll explore the art of brush-making, crafting unconventional tools that enhance your creative expression and connect you more deeply with the natural world
By the end of our journey together, you'll have not only expanded your artistic repertoire but also developed a deeper appreciation for the boundless inspiration provided by the world around us. Let's awaken the artist within and paint with the palette of nature itself.
Allison McElroy is a dedicated professor of Painting at Jacksonville State University. Her artistic journey began with traditional painting techniques, but she has since embraced the beauty of nature as my medium. Through her hikes, she collects rocks and minerals, transforming them into exquisite oil and watercolor paints. Allison's art seeks to blend the Earth’s essence with creativity, bridging the gap between nature and human expression.
This in-person workshop will be taking place outside under a tent or in a shaded area. The class is located in a rural natural environment with some uneven terrain. Please let us know if you have any accessibility requests or needs and we will do our best to accommodate them. Unfortunately, we are not ADA mobility accessible at this time.
Cancelation policy:
Cancellations made 14 days or more in advance of the event date, will receive a 100% refund. Cancellations made within 7 days will receive a 50% refund. Cancellations made within 6 days of the event will not receive any refunds. Due to the nature of our workshops being taught by different instructors with different price points etc. credits for missed classes cannot be given. Workshops are transferable if you cannot make it.
Summer Seed Session
Join us for our Summer Seed Session Salon
Date: Saturday, June 22nd
Time: 6-8:30pm
Location: Troutdale, OR
Tickets are very limited, reserve your spot here.
Our theme for the Summer salon is Growing and Blooming and we are thrilled to feature:
Alasdair Mackenzie - 18 Bees - Alasdair will be discussing natural beekeeping in log hives and the healing power of bees.
Madeline Ross - Co-founder of Renegade Opera, will serenade you with enchanting opera arias in harmony with the beauty of the landscape.
Conor Eifler - Conor will be picking at his banjo and reading/performing/workshopping an excerpt from a piece-in-progress featuring some communal make-believe and a reimagined folk story.
Brooke Kuhnhausen - Brooke will create an altar for the Summer Solstice, drawing on the beauty of the earth, seasonal myth and poetry, playful imagination, and sensory invitation.
Activities include honey tasting, nature weaving, and enjoying the wonderful offerings of Alasdair, Conor, and Brooke.
Tickets are very limited, if you reserve a ticket and can’t make it please let us know so we can release it to someone else. After reserving your spot you will be sent an email with the address and more info.
There is no charge to attend these events, if you enjoy your experience there will be an opportunity to donate to the performers.
Please note, that tickets are per car, reserve 1 “car” ticket and bring as many people as will fit in your vehicle. Do not reserve a ticket for each person.
What If Book: A Journey of Personal Affirmation and Creativity
What If Book: A Journey of Personal Affirmation and Creativity
Saturday, May 11th
10am - 2:00pm
$85 includes all supplies and materials
Ages 10 and up (with adult), & all levels of creative experience are welcome.
The Verdancy Project, 30310 SE Division DR, Troutdale, OR
A reminder email with more information will be sent out 1 week before the workshop
Register Here
Embark on a transformative journey with our What If book project, a profoundly simple yet impactful endeavor tailored to your unique path and designed to accompany you through life's highs and lows. In this workshop, we'll delve into the art of crafting handmade affirmation books, each one a tangible reflection of your individual journey, intended to be a source of solace during moments of stress and uncertainty.
We'll commence by grounding ourselves in the present moment, fostering a sense of calm and receptivity. From there, you'll be guided through the process of creating your very own miniature book, a skill you'll carry with you long after the workshop ends. Beth will lead you through a series of creativity exercises, igniting your imagination and helping you pinpoint the focus of your affirmation book.
Whether you're drawn to affirmations or prefer exploring the power of "what if" questions, this workshop offers something for everyone. Through a delightful exploration of collage materials, you'll uncover layers of meaning and joy, regardless of whether you consider yourself a seasoned artist or a novice. Every step of the way, you'll receive support and encouragement, ensuring that your tiny book is filled with images, text, and drawings that resonate deeply with your soul.
Throughout the workshop, you'll acquire valuable skills, including bookbinding techniques, grounding exercises, creativity prompts, and collage tips. By the workshop's end, you'll depart with at least one beautifully crafted affirmation book, brimming with inspiration and personal affirmations, ready to serve as a cherished tool for self-soothing and empowerment.
Join us on this enriching journey of self-expression and discovery, and let your What If book become a beacon of light on your path to personal growth and resilience.
Beth Wilson is a Pacific Northwest native and has been making intuitive art for nearly 30 years. She pulls materials from everyday life, relying on them to guide her and give their experience to her artwork. Sometimes her work is small and made alone; gestures of gratitude. Sometimes it is big and made in community; gestures of transformation. What it all has in common is the power to create a sense of connection; to self, to community, and to the planet that sustains us. Our culture has stripped us of this sense of connection, of our humanness. With each art class offered, and each art piece made, Beth is tending to our loss, cultivating connections, and strengthening routes and bridges back to our humanity
Cancelation policy:
Cancellations made 14 days or more in advance of the event date, will receive a 100% refund. Cancellations made within 7 days will receive a 50% refund. Cancellations made within 6 days of the event will not receive any refunds. Due to the nature of our workshops being taught by different instructors with different price points etc. credits for missed classes cannot be given. Workshops are transferable if you cannot make it.
Terra Incognita
Land art exhibition featuring over 25 artists and performers
August 19th, 20th, 26th and 27th - 10am - 4pm
Terra Incognita is an interdisciplinary, site-specific land art exhibition featuring over twenty five artists and performers exploring mindful interaction and collaboration with the site: a 4.5-acre microcosm of natural elements featuring woodlands, fields, pond, dye garden, and a creek.
With the starting point of terra incognita or “unknown territory” – referring to both land or mental exploration – the artists were invited to conceive new works inspired by and/or integrated into this landscape. Keeping in mind their role as stewards of the land, the artists use natural and sustainable materials to creatively chart new territory, enchanting and surprising viewers. The resulting artworks will be immersive and intimate activations of the land, water, and trees, through built earthworks, installations, sculptures, sound installations, performance art, and more. Visitors are invited to come and be inspired, challenged, and delighted.
Terra Incognita is produced by The Verdancy Project (TVP) in collaboration with curators Shannon Amidon, Lauren Carrera, Merridawn Duckler, Kendra Roberts, and Joellen Sweeney. The exhibit is hosted on the property of TVP, a multidisciplinary community-oriented art experiment with a mission of fostering curiosity and inspiring environmental stewardship.
Visit the Terra Incognita page for more info.
TVP Residency Info Session - Online
Learn more about The Verdancy Project and our artist residency program. We will be holding an online info session on October 8th at 11:00am. Join us to ask questions about the program, property, and more. Resident Alumni will be present to talk about their experiences.
The Ecology of Proximity: How it Feels to Make Place-Based Art, an artist talk and creative meetup
The Verdancy Project presents The Ecology of Proximity: How it Feels to Make Place-Based Art, an artist talk and creative meetup. Join artist in residence Anita Spaeth as they discuss the personal significance of place-based creative experimentation, as well as work created during their time in residence.
This event will also be an opportunity for like-minded creatives to meet, connect and explore the grounds of The Verdancy Project.
Anita Spaeth is an interdisciplinary artist and arts-integrated environmental educator based in Oregon. They use poetry, print, and book arts to discuss the everyday, ecology, contemporary land-use politics, environmental degradation, and metaphysical uncertainty of living in the Anthropocene.
Date: Thursday, August 18th
Time: 5:30 pm - 6:00 - Meet and Mingle
6:00 pm - Anita Spaeth artist talk
Admission: Free
Refreshments will be provided. We encourage carpooling as parking is limited. Please note that The Verdancy Project is a natural rural environment and the terrain is uneven. Unfortunately due to this, the grounds are not mobility accessible. This event will be held outdoors, we suggest sunscreen and bug spray.
For questions or inquiries, please contact info@verdancyproject.com.
Photographic Lumen Printing
Stroll the grounds of The Verdancy Project collecting botanical specimens to create your own beautiful and ghostly color prints. Each person attending this workshop will create a bundle of their own beautiful lumen prints – a cameraless photographic process – and be equipped with the skills and knowledge to continue creating lumen prints.
Art and Entomology
Are you a creative interested in the captivating world of insects? Join The Verdancy Project as we explore the wonderful world of insects with The Bug Chicks.
Arthropods (insects, spiders, and their relatives) are endlessly fascinating and can be a huge source of inspiration for artists.
Adirondack Pack Basket Workshop
Learn to weave your very own sturdy, practical and beautiful Adirondack pack basket in this 2-day workshop. These baskets are woven by hand using techniques that have been passed down through generations. Wilderness guides, hunters, and trappers used the Adirondack Pack Basket to carry just about everything they took with them into the woods. They are also great for farmer’s markets, hiking and foraging.
It’s Not Easy Being Green: A Color Workshop
In this hands-on workshop, we will spend time surrounded by and investigating the color GREEN. Participants will be introduced to the origins and symbolic uses of green throughout the history of art. From Ancient China to St.Patrick’s Day Parades, various shades of GREEN have been influencing our color memories whether we are conscious of them or not.
Write, Draw, Cut, & Paste
Spend the day immersed in the beautiful property of the Verdancy Project with artist Barb Burwell and a sketchbook, learning how to capture botanical inspirations through observations, journaling, mixed media drawings, and collage.
Paper Botanicals Workshop
Learn to sculpt paper into beautiful botanicals that look like they came right out of the garden.
Join paper artist Inga Peterson for an in-person six-hour paper botanical workshop on the beautiful grounds of The Verdancy Project. Learn to make lifelike paper hellebore and fern frond sculptures using German crepe paper, watercolor paint, wire, and glue. This class will cover all the basic paper sculpting, coloring, and finishing techniques needed to build your own amazing botanicals.
Open House and Tour
You’re invited to our first in-person Open House! Now that we’re fully vaccinated and ready to get back to a new normal, we wanted to open our doors and give you the opportunity to visit our sanctuary, explore our beautiful grounds, and learn more about The Verdancy Project (TVP)
Learn More
Art and Entomology
Are you a creative interested in the captivating world of insects? Join The Verdancy Project as we explore the wonderful world of insects with The Bug Chicks.
Arthropods (insects, spiders and their relatives) are endlessly fascinating and can be a huge source of inspiration for artists.