Maria Michaelson, Founder, Executive 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 here.

EBEN SHAY, FOUNDER, INFRASTRUCTURE LEAD

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.

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 Art barn Studio Manager

Katey is a printmaker and textile artist. She studied graphic design at Western Michigan University with a focus in photography and printmaking, and relocated to Washington State in 2013. She loves analog process-based mediums, and her work work explores themes of ecology, time, technology, apocalypse, and enchantment.

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 since 2016.

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 here.

Cozette Ellis, artists in community program Coordinator

Cozette is a painter, illustrator, 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 and her art here.

Richard Reeves, Infrastructure

Richard is a musician, woodworker, and sailor from Anacortes, WA. He brings his deep knowledge of building and infrastructure projects to the Alchemy team and is one of the folks responsible for the buildings on the property that are pieces of art in themselves. Richard has been living at Alchemy since its inception and has been instrumental in bringing the vision of the property to life.

A musician in several bands, Richard plays the standup bass, the flute, and more.

Oswyn Eshelman, Bookkeeper

Oswyn has called San Juan Island home since 2007. They attended Westminster College and worked in finance in Salt Lake City during their early twenties before moving back to the island full time in 2019. Their background in finance and accounting includes work in corporate finance, governmental/non profit finance, and small business bookkeeping. Of all their work, they are most drawn to community minded, local, non-profit endeavors. Outside of work they enjoy board games, plants, and playing with their three cats. Oswyn is excited to be part of the team at Alchemy Art Center and will use their talents to ensure payroll is processed and bank records are maintained for accurate financial reporting.

Eden LIght, Education support

Eden was born and raised on San Juan Island. After graduating from Spring Street International School, she received her bachelor's degree in Art and Ecology through Fairhaven College at Western Washington University. In her free time, you’ll find her throwing pots at Alchemy Art Center, turning plants into dye, painting on mulberry paper, foraging wild foods, and exploring the deep green woods of the San Juan Islands.

You can learn more about Eden and her art here.

Andrea Kiernan-Ross, Office manager

Andrea settled on the island in 2002. Shortly after landing, she joined the team of artisan handcrafters at Pelindaba Lavender Farm while working as the art teacher at the island’s elementary school.

She studied art at the Maryland Institute College of Art, abroad in Mexico and Italy, and earned her BFA in glass from Alfred University. 

Over the next twenty years, she raised two daughters while mildly homesteading, continuing her work at the farm and developing a lavender-inspired wholesale jewelry business. Andrea works in the Art Barn as the Office Manager and oversees the lavender farming operations. 

Her current studio practice explores hand fabrication with precious metals, soda-lime and borosilicate lampworked glass.

Learn more about Andrea and her art here.

Nathan Donnelly, Art Farm Land and Facilities CARETAKER

Nathan was born in Washington and has spent most of his life coming to or living in the San Juans. He practices the art of land stewardship and has been caretaking properties for almost 20 years. Nathan works as a certified permaculture designer, builder, and handyman, and has worked or volunteered for every public lands organization in SJC, starting the SJCCD Firewise program. As a backcountry ranger, field biologist, invasive weeds program director, firefighter, tree worker, and farmer, he has a broad view on land stewardship. 

He is also a carver, nature guide, and teaches wilderness survival and disaster preparedness.

Lydia Schulz, Grants & Marketing Lead

Lydia has been an active ceramics studio member since 2020 and joined the team at Alchemy in 2026. She brings a background in project management and experience working with nonprofits, communications, and organizational development. Lydia is excited to contribute her skills to an organization rooted in her community on San Juan Island and help strengthen and sustain the arts locally. When she’s not at Alchemy, you’ll likely find her cooking for friends, hiking with her dog, tending her garden, or knitting something cozy.