Maria Michaelson, Founder/ Co-Director

Maria was born and raised on San Juan Island. After Spring Street International School, she received her BA degree in Ceramics from the California College of Art in 2009. Maria spent many years in West Africa learning the craft of bronze casting.  In 2016 she was an Artist in Residence at 69 Rue de Rivoli in Paris, and for 8 seasons she has participated in the San Juan Island Artist’s Studio Tour. Since 2016, she has been working to create Alchemy Art Center, where her art practice is currently based.

You can learn more about Maria and her art at mariamichaelson.com

EBEN SHAY, FOUNDER/ INFRASTRUCTURE

Eben was born in Petersburg, AK and raised in Arlington, WA. He is a skilled woodworker and boat builder, and has worked with many different materials to create practical objects as well as fine art.

Since 2016, Eben has been working with Maria Michaelson to bring Alchemy Art Center to life. He is the force behind the design and construction of almost every building project at Alchemy, and his unique designs lends the space a rare magic.

Glenn Hendrick, Co-Director

Glenn Hendrick was born in Los Angeles, raised in the Midwest, and has been living on San Juan Island since 2013. She earned a degree in painting, drawing and printmaking at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and now works in a variety of media including ceramics.

Glenn is the other half of the organizational component of Alchemy, as well as one of the main class instructors. She has been helping to guide the mission of Alchemy since 2018.

Learn more about Glenn and check out her art at glennhendrick.com

Casey Reagan, ceramics Studio Manager

Casey is an artist, traveler, and adventurer who brings enthusiasm and care to every aspect of her role at Alchemy. You might find her managing the complex systems of Alchemy’s ceramics studio, winterizing a storage dome with concrete, running games during our kids classes, or creating a finely crafted raku mask.

Casey participated in our Artist-in-Residence program in 2021 as a Special Projects Artist-in-Residence. After completing her residency, she joined our team as our Ceramics Studio Manager.

Katey Rissi, Class Coordinator and Print Studio Manager

Katey studied graphic design at Western Michigan University with a focus in photography and printmaking. In 2013, she moved to Washington and has been enchanted by this bioregion ever since. She is a printmaking and fiber artist, and primarily explores ecological themes in her work.

Katey teaches art classes to both youth and adults, and has worked in program planning, as an elementary school art teacher, and as a teaching artist for the past 6 years. 

After participating in our AIR program in 2021 and 2022 as a Teaching Artist-in-Residence, Katey joined the Alchemy staff as our Class Coordinator and Print Studio Manager.

Learn more about Katey and her art at kateyrissi.com

NIco Otte, facilities Support

Nico is from Eugene, Oregon and has been living in Western Washington since 2015. He is a multi-disciplinary artist who works in collage, fiber arts, ceramics, building, and more. Nico loves to work with discarded materials and enjoys art that re-imagines waste.

Nico was an Artist-in-Residence during our 2022 AIR season. After completing his residency, he joined the Alchemy team and provides facilities support for Alchemy, helping build out and maintain our infrastructure.

Cozette Ellis, Outreach Coordinator

Cozette is a painter, drawer, and printmaker from Northern California with a BFA in Design + Native American studies from the University of California, Davis. Currently in her art practice, she is working with ceramics and experimenting with new printmaking techniques. She is inspired by the human body in all its forms, especially incorporated with color and pattern. Cozette has a background in community organizing and was part of the organizing team behind the Whole Earth Festival during her time at UC Davis.

Cozette was an Artist-in-Residence during our 2022 season, and joined our team after her residency as our Outreach Coordinator.

Learn more about Cozette here.

Elena Porten, Bookkeeper and Administrative assistant

Elena was raised on San Juan Island, WA. She attended Seattle University and lived abroad in Mexico, Chili and Peru throughout her twenties. Prior to joining Alchemy in fall of 2022, Elena was a full time teacher and development and marketing assistant at Spring Street International School, and was the manager of the SJI Farmers Market for over four years.

Elena is passionate about supporting impactful community nonprofits like Alchemy Art Center and is in charge of ensuring smooth and detailed bank reconciliation each month!