Today we’d like to introduce you to Pam McDonnell.
Hi Pam, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
As I continue to tell our story, new details come into focus each time. How we began looks different now than it did a year ago. In any project, one is constantly starting anew. What began as a simple “what if…” grew into a core group of thinkers, then into a physical space, and eventually into running classes.
Starting, we’ve learned, is not a single moment—it’s an ongoing practice to which we are deeply committed. Each beginning carries the possibility of renewal. As we prepare to begin our Spring Session, we do so with more information than we had before, and with changes we couldn’t have anticipated last session. Held loosely, this approach doesn’t just help us pivot—it keeps us responsive to what is trying to emerge. Remaining fluid in our first year of operations aligns with our mission, name and spirit.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. Any project rooted in collaboration will naturally encounter moments where relationships and communication become just as important as the work itself. Over the last year, we experienced challenges around alignment and how concerns were being expressed, which helped us understand just how essential trust and transparency are to a healthy team.
That period became a meaningful turning point—for me as a leader and for us as a collective. We came to see that tending to the culture of a group isn’t separate from moving the work forward; it is the work. Since then, we’ve become more intentional about setting expectations, addressing tensions early, and nurturing direct, respectful communication. Those lessons have strengthened our group in ways that continue to shape how we work together—and they give us confidence and excitement for what’s ahead.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
ShapeShifter Art School and Gallery (SASG) began as a simple idea—and kept growing until it became a living, breathing space for adult continuing education in the arts. Our founders—Elizabeth Alley, Melissa Dunn, Nikii Richey, and myself—together with our Program Coordinator, Elaine Canepa, keep the school running so that our teachers can remain the heartbeat of everything we do. We know that happy, rested teachers make for inspired students, and that’s always been our priority.
At SASG, we see ourselves as a community helping others grow through art. Along the way, we’ve stayed fluid, adaptable, and open to emergence, trusting that this commitment to staying responsive is what will continue to shape our success—and the creative journeys of everyone who steps through our doors.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Call us! We get ideas all the time—teachers, organizations, and students reaching out with sparks they want to explore. Just last week, a student asked if we might offer life-drawing classes. I asked her to dream big, and wow—her ideas were amazing. This week, we’re taking her vision to the table to see how we can bring it to life.
At SASG, we see the school as a playground for possibility. Got an idea? Bring it. Let’s push boundaries, experiment, and see what kind of magic we can make together.
Pricing:
- 5-hr workshop: $225
- 3-wk class (3hrs/wk): $325
- 5-wk class (3hrs/wk): $450
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shapeshifterartschool.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shapeshifter_art_school/
