Alchemy Artist Residencies

Teaching Artist Residency (Spring)

2025 Program Dates:
Cohort One: 4/15/2025 - 5/25/2025

The Teaching Artist Residency is a shoulder-season residency for artists who specialize in one of our primary studio practices: ceramics, printmaking, fiber arts, or darkroom photography. Scheduled during Alchemy’s quieter months in the springtime, this opportunity is perfect for artists who are looking for more time and space to focus on their work.

Ideal applicants for this residency have an established studio practice, and are experienced in teaching adult-level classes in their medium of choice. Applicants must also be comfortable living semi-outdoors in the cooler shoulder season weather of the Pacific Northwest, sharing communal bathroom and kitchen space with up to 8 other people.

Ideal candidates for the teaching residency are:

• Artists seeking to focus on their work in ceramics, printmaking, fiber arts, or darkroom photography

• Artists who can share their skills by teaching in our studio spaces.

Work Exchange:
Teaching AIRs contribute 12 hours per week in the form of teaching, studio managing, special projects, youth mentorship. This residency option has the lowest work-exchange requirement, giving artists more time and space to focus on their art. There is currently no stipend for this residency.

Artists in Community Artist Residency (Summer)

2025 Program Dates:
Cohort Two: 5/29/2025 - 7/27/2025
Cohort Three: 7/31/2025 - 9/15/2025

Our Artists in Community program occurs during the summer months, when Alchemy is most active in the San Juan Island community. Artists-in-Residence joining us during this time are an integral part of our summer programming, leading free workshops in the park, mentoring youth groups, working with our local summer camp, and more. This is an opportunity for artists looking to connect with the broader island community, share their skills, work collaboratively, and create art in a dynamic and supportive environment.  Applicants must be comfortable living semi-outdoors, and sharing communal bathroom and kitchen space with up to 8 other people.

Ideal candidates for the artists in community residency are: 

• Familiar with ceramics, printmaking or photography, or other relevant art techniques

• Can create and run art workshops and activities for people of all ages

• Are comfortable leading large groups

• Have experience working with children

• Are outgoing, and feel energized and inspired by working with others

• Are adaptable, and willing to work in changing environments

Exchange:
The work exchange for Artists in Community AIRs is 15 hours per week and includes running art activities in the community, studio maintenance, and other program support. A personal living stipend of $300 per month is included in this program.  

Special Projects Artist Residency (Spring or Summer)

2025 Program Dates:
Cohort One: 4/15/2025 - 5/25/2025
Cohort Two: 5/29/2025 - 7/27/2025
Cohort Three: 7/31/2025 - 9/15/2025

This residency is for artists who are interested in developing a special project that will remain at Alchemy after they leave. Past projects have included an intricate stained glass window (Maya Djiji) installed in our welcome kiosk, construction of a cement geodesic dome (Casey Reagan), support with a woodburning kiln build (Sulli Yost and Joel Diepenbrock), and more. Projects could be geared more towards infrastructure or decorative elements. Applicants must be comfortable living semi-outdoors, and sharing communal bathroom and kitchen space with up to 8 other people.

Ideal candidates for the special projects residency are: 

• Artists who are interested in working on special projects in support of AAC’s infrastructure, studio facilities, etc.

• Artists with knowledge and experience in the materials they will be using to create their project

• Familiar with ceramics, printmaking, or photography

• Flexible, self-motivated, and good at managing their time

• Have the ability to teach within our studio setting

Exchange:
The work exchange for Special Projects AIRs is 15 hours per week. They will primarily focus on their special project, but may also teach, help with studio maintenance, and work with youth mentees. A personal living expense stipend of $300 per month is included in this program.

Alchemy is located on 9 acres of hilly forest and open space, with buildings and residences connected via woodland footpaths. In addition to being a community art center, Alchemy is also a communal residence. Artists-in-Residence must be comfortable coexisting with up to 8 other people of different backgrounds (both year-round and seasonal residents), be able to keep a tidy communal kitchen and bathroom, and help out with property chores on a weekly schedule.

Shared amenities include two toilets and two showers, a fully-equipped kitchen, and a laundry room. AIRs will have opportunities to participate in a large garden, care for chickens, enjoy a wood-fired hot tub, and make friends with lots of cozy people in beautiful spaces. Alchemy also features a geodesic dome building which is frequently used for yoga, meditation, art installations, events, etc.

AIRs sleep in individual small, rustic, woodland shelters, connected via narrow dirt paths through the trees. These sleeping cabins are furnished with a twin or full bed, a mosquito net, a lamp, an outlet, and a rack, shelf, or dresser for clothes and other belongings. Cabins are in close proximity to each other, and have more of a community feel.

While there is electricity, WIFI is spotty in the camping cabins. WIFI can be accessed from close to the main house, in town, or via T-Mobile/Mint cell service. The residential set-up is akin to camping, and program participants are expected to pack appropriately.

The Alchemy property is located about 5 miles outside of town and there is no public transit, so it can be helpful to come with a vehicle. For adventurous types, biking can be a fun (though hilly) way of getting around. Rides are often coordinated and shared if residents do not come with their own vehicle.