Poet laureate takes on new role with Northwind Art

Artist, poet and educator Jaiden Dokken is Northwind Art’s new exhibits coordinator, orchestrating gallery shows and events for the Port Townsend nonprofit organization.

Dokken has taught printmaking classes at Northwind Art School and makes a variety of things in their art business, from ceramics to illustrations.

A Sequim resident, they are also in the middle of their two-year term as the first Clallam County Poet Laureate. In that role, they travel around the county, promoting poetry in frequent public appearances and activities.

“As a working artist myself, I was eager to expand my creative world, hone my installation and curatorial skills, and be exposed to even more artists and artwork,” Dokken said of their new role at Northwind.

Last week, Dokken refreshed the Showcase 2024 exhibit at Northwind’s Jeanette Best Gallery, 701 Water St., by rearranging and adding new paintings, prints, ceramics, etchings and fabric maché from 17 local artists.

The week before that, they joined the installation crew for “Lush Language,” the new show at the front of the gallery.

Dokken was part of the team solving the puzzle of displaying diverse artwork from four makers: pastelist Isabel Elena Pérez, printmaker and ceramicist Claire Ragland, painter Becca Fuhrman and fiber artist Tininha Silva.

Dokken also will work on new activities at the venue while meeting with artists interested in exhibiting there.

They can be reached at exhibits@northwindart.org.

Information about Northwind’s gallery shows and art classes can be found at northwindart.org.

“There’s a gush of ideas brewing in the back offices of the gallery,” Dokken said. “I am really looking forward to increasing our interactive projects, and organizing events that delight and surprise folks.”

“Our little corner of Washington is riddled with talent, and I am thrilled by this opportunity to help foster and showcase that.”