Alchemy Art Center is a non-profit community art space on
San Juan Island specializing in ceramics, printmaking,
and darkroom photography.
We offer classes, memberships, seasonal artist residencies, and public events at our magically rustic woodland location and in public spaces across San Juan Island. Visiting? Please go to our Contact page for information about getting here!
What a night to remember!
Our seventh annual Fall Fundraiser Gala was lovely, joyful, and fun. Thank you to our incredible community for being part of the evening.
Together, we raised more than $80,000 to support our 2026 programming. This support is crucial for our planning, and means we can bring islanders the dynamic and accessible classes, workshops, events, and activities they rely on.
Our cake auction alone, which funds our tuition assistance for the year, raised almost $8,000, and our community donated $45,000 during the “raise the paddle” section of our event! We are so grateful to those of you who were able to join us in the celebration. A huge thank you to all of the attendees, speakers, and volunteers who helped to create such a joyful celebration. Delicious food and cocktails, a fun and fast paced auction, and people dressed to light up the night made for a magical evening indeed.
As we come closer to 2026, we can plan to support our community in so many ways because of this financial support. Our dreams are big. With your trust, we look forward to another year of giving to San Juan Island through arts access.
Applications for our 2026 AIR program are OPEN until 12/8/25!
Alchemy’s AIR program is a unique opportunity to live in an immersive arts community on San Juan Island, connect with the wider SJI community via teaching and community art activities, and have focused time to create art in an environment that supports collaboration, cross-pollination, and innovation. We are seeking artists working in the mediums of ceramics, printmaking, fiber art, or analog photography. Artists-in-Residence have the opportunity to work in all of Alchemy’s focus areas (regardless of their area of expertise), and experiment with mediums they may not have tried before.
Learn more about the program here!
Apply here!
Read the FAQ here!
Acceptances will be announced in early 2026.
Big News: Alchemy Art Center is Growing!
“We Are Alchemy” Video by 2024 Artist-In-Residence Andy Thomas (Nosferatune)
Alchemy Art Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and our mission of art accessibility on San Juan Island is supported by grants from the San Juan Island Community Foundation, Arts WA, the National Endowment for the Arts, Tulalip Cares, the Madrona Institute, San Juan County LTAC, ArtsFund, the Horizons Foundation, the Norcliffe Foundation, and the San Juan County Arts Council. A large part of our funding also comes from community members generously donating amounts of all sizes! Thanks to all of you, we have been able continue our mission of providing fulfilling, engaging, and inspirational arts programming to islanders.
We are so very grateful to be a part of this incredible, resilient community.
Thank you so much, we could not do this without you!
Maria Michaelson, Founder, Co-Director
Glenn Hendrick, Co-Director
John Wheatley, Chair, Board of Directors
Shelle Cropper, Treasurer, Board of Directors
Guisepi Spadafora, Secretary, Board of Directors
Malcolm Suttles, Board of Directors
Danielle Dean, Board of Directors
Timber Rose, Board of Directors
Jane Wentworth, Board of Directors