OSA FAQs
For nearly 100 years, OSA has nurtured and promoted the visual arts in Portland, Oregon and beyond. The mission of the Oregon Society of Artists is to promote the visual arts in the diverse communities of our region, with educational and exhibition opportunities for artists at all levels of accomplishment.
OSA is the parent of The Oregon School of Arts and The Gallery.
To see each description, simply click on the "bar" and that section will expand.
Classes at Oregon Society of Artists are weekly or one-time offerings that are 4 hours or less in duration. Our classes are taught by some of the best artists and instructors in the Pacific Northwest. OSA offers classes in a wide range of art media and levels to provide quality art education to the Portland community and beyond. OSA class offerings can be found on our class page here.
Workshops are one-time intensive instructional opportunities that generally last for 1-4 days. OSA’s workshop instructors come from around the country to provide quality instruction in the medium of their expertise. Taking a workshop is a wonderful way to try out a new art medium or technique or jumpstart your creativity. OSA’s offers workshops appropriate for beginning to professional artists. OSA’s workshop offerings can be found on our workshop page here. See our workshop etiquette page for special details about workshops, workshop accommodations and more.
To provide convenience and accessibility, OSA offers both in-person and online art classes and workshops.
Once you’ve enrolled in a class or workshop, check out the supply list at the bottom of the class or workshop page to learn what supplies you should bring with you on the first day of your class or workshop. Click ‘View Supply List’ at the bottom of the class/workshop description page for a full list of required and optional materials. Contact the instructor or OSA office if you have any questions.
For online classes, the instructor will send all students a Zoom link 1-3 days prior to the start of the class. For online workshops, OSA will send students a Zoom link 1-3 days prior to the start of the workshop. If you have not received a link within that time frame, please reach out to the OSA office for assistance.
Online classes and workshops may or may not be recorded and shared depending on the individual instructor’s preference. Many of our instructors record online class sessions and share the recordings with students. Find recording details on the course description page or reach out to the OSA office to learn whether a specific class or workshop is recorded and shared with students.
Make sure your Zoom account is updated before logging on to your first class. Call the OSA office for online class login assistance at 503-228-0706 during 9:00am - 4:30pm Monday through Friday.
OSA does not offer refunds or transfers for missed classes. Students should inquire with their instructor to see if there are available class dates they could attend as a make-up date. OSA instructors are not obligated to offer class make-up dates.
Classes:
OSA class registration is a first-come, first-served basis. Payment for all classes is due in full at the time of enrollment. OSA operates on limited class sizes to ensure a quality learning experience for allparticipants. Our instructors depend on the tuition of each student to commit to running the class. When you sign up, you are reserving a place in a class that others cannot sign up for. Please ensure that you will be able to attend when you sign up. By implementing a strict cancellation policy, we aim to maintain fairness and accommodate committed students.
There are no refunds or transfers for no-shows or for withdrawals after a class begins.
Prior to 10 business days before a class begins:
If a student cancels more than 10 business days prior to the start date of a class, Oregon Society of Artists will refund the tuition paid, less a $10 processing fee for drop in classes or $30 processing fee for a series class. For drop-in classes, the student should first check with the instructor to determine whether other dates in the class are available. Note: Drop in classes are not available to refund after the first date of the course, regardless of the date of your registration.
0-10 days before a class begins:
Oregon Society of Artists does not accept cancellations within 10 business days prior to a class and bookings are non-transferable.
Workshops:
OSA workshop registration is a first-come, first-served basis. Registration must be paid in full to participate. In the event a workshop or class is oversold, registrations received beyond the maximum number will be refunded in full.
There are no refunds or transfers for no-shows or for withdrawals after a workshop begins.
Prior to 60 days before a workshop begins:
Oregon Society of Artists will refund tuition in full minus a $30 administration fee for cancellations made greater than 60 days before the workshop start date.
0 - 60 days before a workshop begins:
No refunds can be made for cancellations within 60 days prior to the start of a workshop or once a workshop begins unless your place can be filled from the waitlist.
If a workshop is canceled by OSA, students have the option of refunded tuition, keeping their registration fees on account to apply to a future workshop or class, or designating their registration fee as a tax-deductible donation to OSA.
Oregon Society of Artists is not responsible for any expenses incurred as a result of canceled workshops.
OSA Membership provides an array of benefits and discounts including reduced class and workshop tuition, discounted entry fees for exhibition in The Gallery, early workshop registration, BrushMarks Newsletter and more. OSA Members help make art education and opportunities at OSA possible. Membership is fully tax deductible.
To learn more about membership levels and benefits visit our 'Join Us' page.
The Gallery is an exhibition space onsite at OSA and online at osagallery.org. The Gallery features monthly exhibitions and is free and open to the public for viewing. Open hours are Monday - Friday 1-am - 4pm and Saturdays 1pm - 4pm.
The Gallery at OSA offers exhibition opportunities for artists at all levels. For information about upcoming opportunities please check our our Call to Artist page. Please note The Gallery is a community exhibition space and is currently unable to accommodate solo shows.
The Oregon Society of Artists is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the education and nurturing of talent in the visual arts. Your support as a donor is invaluable, enabling OSA to continue fostering artistic expression and enriching lives within our community. Donations to OSA are fully tax deductible.
Donations can be made online, over the phone, or by mail. Recurring donations can be set up online on our donate page.
Every donor will receive a formal acknowledgment of their contribution for tax purposes. Donors may also be recognized in our annual report, website, or promotional materials, unless they choose to remain anonymous.
Types of Donations Accepted:
- Monetary Contributions: We welcome cash donations made online through our secure website, in-person at our center, or via mail. Receipts for tax purposes will be issued for all monetary donations in accordance with IRS regulations.
- In-Kind Donations: We appreciate donations of goods or services that support our programs, exhibitions, and events. These may include art supplies, equipment, printing services, or other items deemed valuable to our operations.
- Legacy Gifts: We gratefully accept bequests, endowments, and other planned giving options from individuals interested in leaving a lasting impact on the arts in our community.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Businesses interested in supporting our mission through sponsorships or partnerships are encouraged to reach out to the OSA office for tailored opportunities.
We cannot generally accept donations of artwork.
All donations received by Oregon Society of Artists are used to advance our mission.
Oregon Society of Artists offers scholarships for youth and adult art classes. Sholarships are awarded based on financial need and are limited to one scholarship per person in a 12-month period.
Our scholarship application is a simple pdf downloadable here. Completed applications can be emailed to
Scholarship applications will be reviewed quarterly, the month prior to each term. Deadlines for each term are as follows:
o December 1 for Winter Term
o January 1 for Spring Term
o May 1 for Summer Term
o August 1 for Fall Term
OSA is not able to offer scholarships for workshops at this time.
For more information or questions, please contact OSA's office at 503-228-0706.
OSA has a parking lot for students, gallery visitors, and other OSA guests to use free of charge. OSA’s parking lot is located on the east side of our building with an entry on SW Park Place. We offer an ADA approved parking space and ramp to our lower-level classrooms. Feel free to use our parking lot during your visit to Oregon Society of Artists.
During peak class times or workshops, OSA staff may send you an email with specific parking directions for you and your fellow students to follow. We frequently double park cars in order to ensure all building users can enjoy our free parking amenities. If you plan to leave early from your class or workshop, please take advantage of our ample free street parking to ensure you can leave on time.
Free two-hour street parking is available when the OSA lot is full, and a bike rack is located for bike parking at our front gallery entrance.
Trimet bus lines 51 and 63 have a stop on SW Park Place and SW St Clair outside of OSA’s garden. We are a short walk from the 15, 18, and 20 lines on W Burnside and SW St Clair.
Please arrive no more than 30 minutes before your workshop begins. There will be ample time for you to get your station set up and get settled as the workshop begins.
Follow staff parking directions on site or as emailed to you in advance by OSA staff. We frequently use our parking lot creatively to ensure everyone using our building can enjoy our free parking. If you know you’ll need to leave the workshop early, please take advantage of our free street parking.
For overnight accommodations, we recommend Park Lane Suites. Parklane Suites is a two-block walk from OSA and offers OSA students a 10% discount. To book a stay contact Park Lane Suites and ask for the OSA discounted rate.
OSA is a busy art education facility, and other classes, events, or workshops, may be happening in the building at the same time as your workshop. Please be kind and courteous to everyone in OSA’s community throughout the duration of your workshop.
Studio & Conduct Rules
- Please no other odorless mineral spirits than Gamsol or D-sol.
- Do not bring your own easel as you will be provided with one (except of course in a plein air workshop).
- Easel positions will be determined by raffle.
- Please refrain from talking when class is in session.
- When using pastels please use wet towel to catch particles.
- No photos of models during the workshop (you may discuss taking photos with them during lunch or after class for a fee).
- Model pose will be determined by the Instructor and the monitor will be in charge of any adjustments.
- Photos of the instructor’s demo can be taken during breaks not during the painting.
- No cell phone use except during breaks.
- Keep top on Gamsol/D-sol when not using.
- Please keep large items in your car until needed.
Oregon Society of Artists follows Portland Public Schools for weather closures and delays. Check the front page of our website for updates on weather closures and delays. In the event of inclement weather, OSA staff will provide all students with refunded tuition or a class/workshop make-up date.
OSA is proud to offer American Easel panels at a discounted price to our community. OSA sells "deep" birchwood panels of various sizes. Please contact the office for panel sizes, pricing, and availability.
OSA’s garden is generously maintained by volunteers who water, weed, and keep our outdoor space beautiful for your use. The garden is the perfect place for OSA’s students and our neighbors to enjoy a picnic lunch, paint outdoors, or enjoy for a few moments before or after class. To volunteer in the garden, contact OSA’s office at 503-228-0706.
