Painting with Words: Intro to Songwriting Workshop
With Chava Wolin

Whether you’re a curious beginner, a closet poet, or you’ve been dabbling with melodies for years, this class is for you.

Have a song inside you, but aren’t sure where to start? Ever jot down a lyric or hum a riff only to get stuck? Join us at House of Orange Art Gallery for an energizing, hands-on songwriting workshop led by Cannon Beach’s own performer, ukulele teacher, and festival headliner Chava Wolin.

Chava will share simple, practical methods to spark ideas, build songs layer by layer, and shake loose writer’s block. You’ll explore creativity exercises, play word-based games, experiment with melody and chord patterns, and collaborate with others to shape lyrics into finished pieces.

This isn’t a “lecture-only” class—you’ll be writing, playing, and creating from the first few minutes.

Chava teaches ukulele across Clatsop County and online, and has been featured at major ukulele festivals, including
• Tampa Bay Ukulele Days (headliner)
• Reno Ukulele Festival
• Orange County Ukulele Festival
• Memphis Ukulele Festival
She also leads a weekly Thursday workshop and jam at House of Orange.

Bring your favorite notebook (or pick up a beautiful locally-made artist journal at the gallery), your curiosity, and your willingness to play!

Workshop Flow

• Welcome + introductions
• Songwriting tools & methods
• Creativity warmups & games
• Free-association word play
• Free-form poetry writing
• Object writing and daily idea gathering
• Building chord progressions
• Creating melodies from chord patterns
• Song structure & lyric shaping
• Guided solo or paired songwriting

You’ll Leave With

✓ Practical tools for writing on your own
✓ Pages of lyrical sparks & melodic ideas
✓ Confidence to keep your creative flow going
✓ A supportive group of fellow makers

Bonus

We’ll wrap up with a 30-minute micro-concert featuring some of Chava’s favorite original songs.

Cost: $50
Capacity: Limited to 12 participants
Total Time: 2 hours (90-minute workshop + 30-minute concert)

Note: A minimum of 3 participants is required.
If the workshop is canceled due to low enrollment, you will receive a full refund.

Optional Add-On: Make Your Own Hand-Sewn Journal 
Arrive early for a relaxed Sunday morning of coffee, croissants, and creativity!
Artist Dianne Aoki will guide you step-by-step through one of two beautiful options for making a Japanese-style hand-bound journal.

You’ll leave with a handmade book that’s ready to hold your lyrics, sketches, stories, and all the inspiration from the songwriting workshop.