Community art: “Artists in Community”
Each year, AAC Staff and Artists-in-Residence show up to facilitate free art activities for kids and adults in parks, libraries and festivals across San Juan Island. Some of our activities are open to all, others serve specific groups.
In 2026, Alchemy served more than 5000 islanders and visitors. Many joined through these free programs. 2027 Summer Calendar coming soon!
Regular free programs
San Juan Island Library
Year-round · Open to the public
Free art activities for all ages at the library in Friday Harbor. Classes vary, and sign ups are through the Library
Island Rec
Summer · Art in the Park
Free art activities at Linde Park throughout the summer,
Classes vary, and sign ups are through Isalnd Rec
San Juan Island Sculpture Park
Tie Dye and Sculpture
Free art activities at the Sculpture Park in Roche Harbor. Drop ins welcome
San Juan Islands Museum of Art
Summer ·Family Art Days
Free art activities at SJIMA in Friday Harbor.
Family Resource Center
For Youth in FRC Mentorship
A program for youth in the Family resource center programming. Offered throughout the summer.
Mullis Center
Year-round · For Mullis Center members
Art activities with the Seniors in the Mullis Center community.
Island Rec Camps
Camp Eagle Rock Mural Camp and the Dragonflies Camp
Arts programming for kids in island REC summer camps, for all ages
San Juan County Fair
Every year · Third weekend in August
Find us at the fair with free art activities for fairgoers. Third week of in August
Village at the Harbor
For Village at the Harbor residents
Arts activities designed for people in elderly care
Land Bank preserves
Open to the public · Sign up through our class calendar
Free plein air painting in Land Bank preserves.
Farmers markets
Open to the public · Drop-ins welcome
Stop by our table at the farmers market and make something.
Event pop-ups
Through the year
We show up to annual events such as PKOLS, The Children’s festival, SJI Pride fest, The repair fair and more.
With our partners
Island Rec, the Family Resource Center, the San Juan Island Sculpture Park, the Mullis Center, the San Juan Island Library, the San Juan Islands Museum of Art, the Friends of Lime Kiln Society, SJI Pride, the Farmers Market and other organizations all partner with us to ensure that we offer something for every islander.
Our community programming is made possible through the support of ArtsFund, ArtsWA, Tulalip Charitable Funds, the Horizons Foundation, the San Juan County Cultural Access Initiative, and by generous donations from our community members. Thank you for helping us bring art to islanders!
Past projects
Barn Mandalas
Spring 2026 · The Art Barn
In the Spring of 2026, Our community joined us in decorating The Art Barn with plywood polkadots. 100 Islanders of all ages contributed to the project, and the geometric patterns that we created together decorate on the front of the building still.
Community Salmon Mosaic
2020–2021 · San Juan Island Sculpture Park
In the early days of the pandemic, about 80 islanders made tiles at home for a 15-foot salmon of some 240 pieces, a way to work together while apart. Kids from Camp Eagle Rock and the Family Resource Center joined in. We chose the salmon for its key role in the Salish Sea and what it says about how we depend on each other. In summer 2021, hundreds of people helped build a double-sided version on site at the San Juan Island Sculpture Park, where it stands in the permanent collection.
Creativity is a human right.
Our community programs are made possible by ArtsFund, ArtsWA, Tulalip Charitable Funds, the Horizons Foundation, the Norcliffe Foundation, the San Juan Island Community Foundation, the San Juan County Arts Council and generous donations from our community.