Harmony Thiessen Art — Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need any art experience to take a class?
No experience necessary. My workshops are for complete beginners and returning students — the focus is on creativity and process, not technical skill.
2. What ages are your workshops for?
This varies by class. Some, like Leaf Leather Collage, are 14+; others (like Community Means We open houses) are open to all ages, including families. Each workshop listing states its specific age range.
3. Are materials included in the price?
Materials are provided for most workshops, but not all—please check the individual class listing, as some list materials separately.
4. What’s your cancellation and refund policy?
Full refund if you cancel 7+ days before the workshop, 100% store credit for 3–6 days before, 50% store credit for less than 3 days before, and no refund or credit for day-of cancellations or no-shows.
5. Where are your workshops held?
I teach at various locations across Whatcom and Skagit counties, including Whatcom Art Center and Red Cedar Zen. The exact address is always listed on the individual workshop page — feel free to reach out if you’re looking for a class at a specific location.
6. Is parking available at your class locations?
Parking varies by venue — paid parking at Whatcom Art Center, free parking at Red Cedar Zen. Check the individual workshop listing for details, or reach out and I’m happy to help.
7. Do you offer private group sessions — birthdays, team-building, corporate events?
Yes, I offer custom private sessions for groups, birthday parties, and team-building events in addition to my regularly scheduled public workshops. Reach out to start a conversation about your next event at email me
8. You talk about teaching creativity, not just art — what’s the difference?
When the Golden Gate Bridge was built, no one wrote articles about what great artists the engineers were — but what they did was incredibly creative. It was an unprecedented challenge that required entirely fresh ways of seeing what seemed impossible. That’s the kind of creativity I’m actually teaching: the innate ability to solve problems, pivot when needed, bend without breaking, and experience what feels like a kind of flow. Art is simply the form I use to get you there — many forms, actually — with the hope that once you find that flow in a workshop, you start recognizing and using it in daily life, too.
9. Do you offer gift cards?
Yes — gift cards are available for any class, small or large artwork, or greeting cards, right on the website. If you’d like, I can also include your gift card with a Butterflies greeting card from HTA and mail it directly to the recipient for you — reach out through the contact page or email me
10. Are any of your events free?
Yes — I periodically host free, drop-in community events, like “Community Means We,” a collaborative gratitude collage open to all ages with materials provided (donations welcome). These are separate from my paid workshop series and are listed on my calendar when scheduled.