Artists With Disabilities Are Thriving At This Portland Studio – And Selling Their Work

March 31, 2025

In Portland, Oregon, a unique art studio is proving that creativity knows no boundaries.

North Pole Studio, founded in 2020, is giving artists with disabilities the space, support, and real-world opportunities to pursue their passions.

Austin Brague / North Pole Studio

Co-founded by artists Sula Willson and Mary Ellen Andersen, founding artist Davis Wohlford, and advocate Sarah Mensah, the studio was created to be a welcoming and accessible space for neurodivergent artists. Here, self-expression is celebrated, creative risks are encouraged, and diverse experiences are valued.

For 26-year-old artist Austin Brague, who is on the autism spectrum, North Pole Studio has become a place to thrive. Brague specializes in intricate pen-and-ink drawings of urban landscapes, and thanks to the studio’s connections, his talent is being recognized. He recently designed a bus wrap for TriMet, Portland's public transportation agency.

"My disability enables me to see certain things when I do art," Brague told KOIN 6. "Being different is actually the real normal."

The studio’s mission goes beyond creativity—it’s about sustainability. North Pole actively connects its artists with opportunities to exhibit and sell their work, helping them build careers in the arts. The success of the program has been so profound that the studio is expanding. Soon, it will move to Portland’s Pearl District, accommodating four times as many artists, opening the door for even more creative minds to flourish.

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