Quimper Arts is a group of artists who draw, paint, and sculpt directly from life, be it live models or the world around us. We are an all-volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to providing visual artists an opportunity to hone our skills. Artists of all levels of experience, including beginners, are welcome at all of our sessions. Membership brings discounts and other benefits.
The backbone of our activity is life drawing/painting every Monday morning and afternoon. From April through November, we organize bi-monthly plein air painting in the area. And in keeping with our mission of improving artistic skills, we host periodic classes and provide an opportunity for members to show their work in a public space. We are proud to be carrying forward the 40+ year history of Quimper Arts in Port Townsend.

Leave a comment

Filed under Uncategorized

Quimper Arts at Hudson Point Cafe

For January and February of 2026, 12 members of Quimper Arts are showing their work at the Hudson Point Cafe. The works on display range from plein air paintings done right at Point Hudson, to riffs on the figure work we do weekly, to outright fantasy and fun.

Artists exhibiting are Jackie Hardin, Mary Henson, Renee Loeffler, Vivian Matt, Madeline Nelson, Cecilia Olivera-Hillway, Izzy Rosane, Ron Sorter, Chris Stevenson, Kelly Traenkenschuh, Maggie Walthall and Kath Zecca.

Come see for yourself while enjoying a hearty and creative breakfast or lunch, 7 days a week from 8am to 2pm, at 130 Hudson Street; parking right by the cafe, next to the marina.

Leave a comment

Filed under events

Many Faces of Venus

Here are the results of our two-week pose inspired by Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, reflecting our artists’ different approaches and styles. Many thanks to Chris Witkowski and our model Cassandra for sparking our imaginations.

Leave a comment

Filed under Uncategorized

Upcoming: 2 week long pose with Cassandra

This coming Monday afternoon, April 7, and the following Monday, April 14, our wonderful model Cassandra will be in the same pose for the two sessions. There will be a costume, setting and props around a theme. Don’t miss this opportunity to create a more fully developed drawing or painting.

(illustration: 3 multi-session long pose paintings by Quimper Arts member Madeline Nelson)

Leave a comment

Filed under Uncategorized

April showers– paint under an overhang!

Today is our first plein air date and yup, we’ve got April showers. The weather app says it will stop before 9am. Just in case, the building on the south side of Washington Street, where the accounting firm is, has a long, deep overhang under which we can paint views of the park and fountain without blocking any foot traffic or shop windows. Standing at an easel would work best if that is the case. Hope to see you there!

April 2, 9am to noon – Haller Fountain and steps, downtown PT. Let’s see how the springtime light and foliage change the fountain and PT cityscape views. Services nearby; on-street PT parking.

Leave a comment

Filed under Uncategorized

Our Plein Air Season Starts April 2!

The weather’s getting (a little) warmer, the rain is starting to ease up, buds are starting to pop. Aren’t you itching to get outside to draw and paint? Join us on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday from April through November, 9am until noon, in Port Townsend and out in the county. All events are free and all are welcome.

Here are the locations; more details on the website on our website’s “plein air” page. Since locations are subject to change, please check the web page before you head out!

April 2 – Haller Fountain and steps, downtown PT.

April 16 – Fort Flagler Park.

May 7 – Chetzemoka Park in PT.

May 21 – Heron Hill, 241 Sand Road (outskirts of Port Townsend, off Cape George Road).

June 4 – Finnriver Farm in Chimacum.

June 18 – outside Ajax Café, Lower Hadlock Road.

July 2 – Kah Tai Lagoon in Port Townsend.  

July 16 – Point Wilson Lighthouse at Fort Worden in PT.

August 6 – Port Ludlow Marina.

August 20 – Bell Tower Park in uptown PT.

September 3 – Pope Marine Park, downtown PT.

September 17 – Fort Townsend Park.  

October 1 – RoseWind cohousing west in PT.

October 15 – Point Hudson Marina west of downtown PT.

November 5 – Old Alcohol Plant in Port Hadlock.

Leave a comment

Filed under Uncategorized

Snow? No problem!

Folks are asking if we are open today, Feb 3. The answer is, yes! This morning and afternoon, enjoy the wonderful clothed poses of our favorite muse, Cassandra, and in the evening experience our newest model, Lexi. See you there!

(Below: interpretations of 3 of Cassandra’s 2024 poses, by artists Renee Loeffler, Izzy Rosanne and Madeline Nelson)

Leave a comment

Filed under Uncategorized

January 6– Return of Evening Life Drawing

Evening drawing is coming back for the new year!

It’s a “best of” our morning short pose and afternoon long pose formats, at the same price ($10 for members, $15 for non-members for a 2.5 hour session). So if you haven’t joined us for a while because your daytimes are scheduled, or you just want to have a full day (9:30 am to 8:30 pm) of sketching, drawing and painting from life, come join us! Members and non-members, any medium you prefer.

For the evening session, doors re-open at 5:45 pm for setup. We will start at 6:00 pm with a series of short poses, take a 15 minute break, and continue with a single one-hour long pose. We wrap up and put our toys away at 8:30 pm.

Leave a comment

Filed under Uncategorized

Cassandra IS Madame X! Clothed Monday

As a special treat for our long-pose life group, model extraordinaire Cassandra posed as JS Sargeant’s iconic Madame X. We got to paint her in the round– every point of view a bit different. Keep going to find Sargeant’s study for the well-known life size version.

The first Monday of each month will feature clothed models for both the morning and afternoon. Come challenge yourself!

Leave a comment

Filed under Uncategorized

Don’t Miss Quimper Arts at the Artist Studio Tour! Saturday, August 24

Quimper Arts members are getting their paintings, drawing and sculptures ready for next Saturday’s Open Studio at the Masonic Lodge in uptown, just north of the post office. From 10 am to 6pm, come meet Quimper’s artists and see some of their work. And, from 1pm to 4pm, try your hand at sketching or painting Cassandra— free, and some art materials will be supplied (or bring your own).

Our open studio will feature work by–
Brenda Barcelo
Bobbie Blinder
Wayne Brown
Shelley Brown
Jackie Hardin
Mary Henson
Rita Kepner
Renee Loeffler
Madeline Nelson
Izzy Rosane
Toni Rosetti
Kelly Traenkenschuh
Chris Witkowski
Kat Zecca

Leave a comment

Filed under events, Uncategorized

August 24: Quimper Arts in Artist Studio Tour

In our weekly studio space in uptown PT’s Masonic Lodge, a diverse group of Quimper Arts members will be showing paintings, drawings and sculptures done in our studio and elsewhere. We’ll be open from 10am to 6pm, with a rotating staff of artists welcoming visitors. And, from 1pm to 4pm, visitors can artists sketch and paint from a live (clothed) model, or try their hand at it themselves.

This is part of return of the Port Townsend Studio Tour, largely due to the efforts of Raw Art Collective founder Jen Cohen. (Yay! Thank you Jen!) 59 studios, some (like Quimper Arts) featuring multiple artists, will offer a great overview of the vibrant arts scene here on the Quimper Peninsula. See further info at the Raw Art Collective website.

If you are a Quimper Arts member and haven’t yet signed up to participate, you have until August 12. Come to the Masonic Lodge August 5 or 12, pay $20 to help offset the cost of the space on August 24, and sign up for a shift of talking with visitors. Those who can’t come to the Masonic Lodge before the event can sign up email (artsign1@hotmail.com) and pay the $20 when you come to set up (8am-9am on Aug 12).

Leave a comment

Filed under Uncategorized