Alchemy Art Center

With Jenna Tessler Explore experimental photography and alternative film processing techniques in this two-part workshop using unconventional materials to create unpredictable, one-of-a-kind photographic results. Sign up here!

Plein Air Painting at Third Lagoon Preserve with Glenn Hendrick Sunday, September 13, 10:30 am–1:30 pm Paint outdoors at Third Lagoon Preserve as part of Alchemy's plein air series with the San Juan County Land Bank. Connect with nature while creating artwork inspired by the island landscape. The class is free, with donations welcome. Sign up here!

Drawing with Pen and Ink with Ariel March Williams Sundays, September 13–27, 12–2pm Build your drawing skills through hatching, cross-hatching, stippling, value, line, and composition. Work from still life and images while learning how to create complex, layered, and refined drawings. Sign up here!

Quilting Fundamentals: Patchwork 101 with Krispi Staude Tuesdays beginning September 15, 5:30–7:30pm Learn the foundations of patchwork quilting, from choosing and preparing fabric to piecing blocks and building a quilt. A six-part series designed to build skills while working toward a finished project. Sign up here!

Do you want feedback from other artists on an art piece you're stuck on? Do you want to talk about art with other islanders? Join us! We meet every other Wednesday evening and share projects we are working on that we'd like feedback on, past pieces we'd like to build upon, or any other in-progress or completed work we'd like to share. You are also welcome to come just to check out work and talk with other artists! This is an informal supportive group of artists providing feedback for one another, discussing ideas, and hopefully laying the groundwork for creating new work and new collaborations. This is a drop-in group, you can attend as many as you'd like. We like folks to sign up ahead of time so we can best organize the space, but you may show up at the door as well. Suggested donation $15-$25. Artists Critique Group is held in the dome on the AAC campus. Registration: Please register early if you are able, as it helps us to assure that programs meet their minimums in order to run!

Stick to Spoon: An Introduction to Carving with Nathan Donnelly Thursdays, September 17 & 24, 5:30–7:30 pm Learn the basics of carving wood by hand in this two-part introduction. Explore tools, techniques, and the process of transforming a simple piece of wood into a functional spoon. Sign up here!

Plant-Based Film Developing with Jenna Tessler Saturday 9/19 & Sunday 9/20, 10am–2pm Explore a low-toxicity, alternative film-developing process using household products and foraged plant materials. Learn sustainable DIY darkroom techniques and process up to two rolls of film. Sign up here!

Slab Mugs with Creative Surfaces with Glenn Hendrick Sunday, September 20, 12–4pm Create one-of-a-kind slab-built mugs while experimenting with underglaze transfers, stencils, direct painting, mishima, and sgraffito. Cut and assemble your own mug (or two!) from decorated slabs. Sign up here!

Community Art Night is your opportunity to come check out the ceramics studio and make whatever you want out of clay! *This class takes place in the Ceramics Studio at 1255 Wold Rd* Learn more and register here.

LeatherCraft: Make a Belt & Keychain with Drew Loura Saturday, September 26, 12–3pm Learn the basics of leatherworking while making functional pieces to take home. Explore leather history, tanning, care, and basic techniques including cutting, punching, and riveting. Supplies are provided. Sign up here !

Dyeing with Fresh Leaf Indigo with Katey Rissi Saturday, September 26, 3:30–6:30pm Explore the process of creating beautiful blue dyes directly from fresh indigo leaves. Learn about natural indigo and experiment with plant-based color on fiber and fabric. Sign up here!

The Landscape in Motion: Painting on the Ferry! with Glenn Hendrick Take your sketchbook and paints aboard the ferry and practice capturing the moving landscape of the Salish Sea. A unique plein air painting experience combining travel, observation, and artmaking. We will be on the ferry that leaves Friday Harbor at 11:30am, Orcas at 12:50pm, Shaw at 1:05pm and Lopez at 1:25pm. We'll arrive back at Friday Harbor at 2:15pm. Check out the ferry schedule for more info/return times for the other islands. Sign up here!

Mother's Art Circle with Margot McKirdy Sunday, September 27, 3–5pm A relaxed art-making and connection space for mothers to slow down, make art, and spend time together in community. Sign up here!

Come check out our new marvelous facility at the Art Farm, make some art, and build community! Come join us on the last Tuesday of the month for Community Art Night in the Art Barn! Take a look at our new facilities at 45 Hawthorne Lane and work in the Community Art Studio in the Art Barn. We'll have a buffet of 2D art materials out for you to use. This is a no-commitment, low cost way to get some artmaking time in. There is no formal instruction during community art nights, but we will have AAC staff monitoring and we can help you if you have questions! Community Art Night at the Art Barn is held at our new campus at 45 Hawhtorne Lane. Directions and parking information will be included in your confirmation email