Art Instructors

Read about our awesome art teachers.

At Northwest Arts Center, we believe passionately that every child should have the opportunity to engage in the art process—regardless of income or background—and experience the benefits of quality art education. By starting at the preschool and elementary level, children learn to become critical thinkers, keen observers, and innovators. Students’ ideas are of primary importance at NWAC where kids are treated as future leaders. When teachers reward ideas, it encourages students to dream about the future. They are challenged to take risks in a supportive environment. For children with learning or physical disabilities, the Northwest Art Center creates opportunities for expression that honors each child’s individual abilities and helps boost their confidence and self-esteem. Art encourages students to notice the world around us; it fosters curiosity, wonder and imagination.

The Northwest Art Center is proud to have a dedicated team of art instructors who inspire our students and community with their talents and creativity. Our instructors have over 50 years of combined experience in the arts and come from a broad range of backgrounds. Many of our teachers are also professional artists.

In addition to creating a team that has the right mix of skills and qualities, we also want to make sure that we provide a safe environment. To that end, we ask that all of our staff and volunteers complete a criminal background check before working with children.

Pam Martin

Our Executive Director is also an artist and teacher!   In her own words: As an artist, I’ve been creating since I was a young child. Growing up in the Pacific…
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Irina Johnson

Irina Johnson, NWAC Program Manager and Instructor, has over 25 years of experience teaching adult and teen painting classes. She founded and operated Vine and Palette, a successful sip and…
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Melanie Pollon

Melanie began working with clay in 1994 and continues to be fascinated and inspired by its infinite possibilites.  Initially, she mostly worked on the pottery wheel but when she began…
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Robin

Robin is a certified art teacher and potter from South Carolina. She is enjoying the opportunity to meet and work with other artists and art students on the West Coast.…
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Michelle Marshall

Michelle received her degree in Elementary Education and taught Kindergarten before staying home to raise her children. She has been involved with multiple nonprofits over the years, as both a…
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