Meet Emiko Naito, boss of Soaring Boar Studios where she creates ceramic items for everyday use — plus some just for whimsy — right in metro Mineral, Washington. During July/August 2026, Emiko’s leading a multi-week MARS Clay Camp for folks ages 12 and up and of any experience level, so they can get their hands on clay and sculpting tools and learn techniques. Thanks to support from ArtsWA we’re able to offer this workshop for just $25, and we also have six scholarships for local ceramics fans ages 12-18 thanks to the Mineral Lake Lions Club.

In partnership with and with support from Seattle Arts & Lectures, which administers Seattle’s Writers in the Schools (WITS) program that brings working artists into kids’ classrooms, Mineral Arts & Residencies is excited to host a special “winter break” residency session for four remarkable, deserving artists who spend time in schools helping nurture creativity among youth.

During fall 2025 and spring 2026, we hosted approximately 25 writers and artists in Mineral for one-week and two-week sessions held at our now-former location at the school and in the Mineral Lake Lodge. Visiting presenters included Oregon fiction writer Brittney Corrigan, Washington visual artist Carina del Rosario, Alabama nonfiction writer and podcaster Kristine Lloyd, Washington fiction writer Kirsten Sundberg Lunstrum, Washington comix artist Mita Mahato, nonfiction writer Claudia Rowe, Florida-based nonfiction writer River Selby, Washington nonfiction writer Claire Thompson, and Oregon Book Award-winning poet Charity Yoro. Host staff included Subhaga Crystal Bacon (alum), Jason Cohen, Allison Ellis (alum), Susan Shepard (alum), Claire Thompson (alum), Angela Wang, Acca Warren (alum), Jen Worick (alum), as well as board members Jane Hodges, Carolyn McKelvie, and Emiko Naito.

In partnership with and with support from Seattle Arts & Lectures, which administers Seattle’s Writers in the Schools (WITS) program that brings working artists into kids’ classrooms, Mineral Arts & Residencies is excited to host a special “winter break” residency session for four remarkable, deserving artists who spend time in schools helping nurture creativity among youth.

In partnership with and with support from Seattle Arts & Lectures, which administers Seattle’s Writers in the Schools (WITS) program that brings working artists into kids’ classrooms, Mineral Arts & Residencies is excited to host a special “winter break” residency session for four remarkable, deserving artists who spend time in schools helping nurture creativity among youth.