About Alchemy

Maria Michaelson

Founder, Executive Director

Maria was born and raised on San Juan Island. She went to Spring Street International School, and received her BA in Ceramics from the California College of Art. Maria is a figurative sculptor and community artist, and her work is all over the Alchemy Campuses. Since 2016, she has been building 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Lydia Schulz

Grants, Bookeeping & 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.

Nathan Donnelly

Field Campus 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.

Andrea Kiernan-Ross

Assistant Director

Andrea settled on the island in 2002, joining the artisan handcrafters at Pelindaba Lavender Farm while teaching art at the island’s elementary school.

She studied art at the Maryland Institute College of Art and in Mexico and Italy, and earned her BFA from Alfred University. Over the next twenty years, she worked on the lavender farm, raised two daughters, mildly homesteaded, and built a lavender-inspired wholesale glass jewelry business.

As Alchemy’s Assistant Director, working from the Art Barn Office at the farm, she helps realize the strategic goals of the board and Executive Director.

Her studio practice explores precious-metal fabrication and soda-lime and borosilicate lampworked glass. She recently launched Alchemy’s glass program.

Learn more about Andrea and her art here.

Olivia Perez

Alchemy Store Manager

Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Olivia has called Washington home since 2021. Olivia is a multimedia artist who enjoys working with fiber arts, ceramics, printmaking, film photography, and collage. 

After creating her small business “Wellness Ceramics” in 2020, she went on to study Psychology and Studio Arts at the University of Puget Sound where she explored the intersection of the arts, wellness, and recovering from trauma. Olivia has spent many summers with her grandparents on the San Juan Island and even worked at Pelindaba Lavender Farm. She returned to life on the island in early 2026 and is thrilled to be working with lavender and studio arts once again. 

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.

Sierra O’ Connell

Early Childhood Instructor

Sierra O’Connell is an experienced early childhood educator dedicated to fostering creativity and confidence in young children. With a deep passion for nature-based learning and expressive arts, Sierra creates environments where children feel safe to explore, take risks, and discover their unique interests.

Sandra Solis, Andrea Kiernan-Ross & Laura Angulo

Lavender Product Production Team

A trio of long-time Pelindaba Lavender employees carrying on the tradition of handcrafting the beloved lavender products.

Sandra was born and raised in Michoacán, Mexico, where she studied Business Administration and Accounting. She moved to the U.S. in 2002, before finding her forever home in Friday Harbor in 2005. Sandra and her husband have raised four amazing kids: their oldest, 21, is studying Biology and Chemistry at Gonzaga University; their 13-year-old and their two little ones, 7 and 6, are enrolled in the island schools. When she’s not chasing after her family, you’ll find Sandra walking, doing Pilates, or shooting hoops. But her real passion? Making lavender products – she just can’t get enough of it! Laura’s bio coming soon!

The team works on site in the Art Barn to create products using our own farm distilled lavender essential oil, lavender buds and flowers. All of the products are featured in The Alchemy Store in the Art Barn as well as online.

Ava Crawford “Ms. Ava”

Assistant Teacher

Ava holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Behavior Science with a minor in Global Health from the University of Delaware. She has experience working in nature-based and play-based preschool settings, where she discovered a deep appreciation for the wonder and curiosity of early childhood. Her background in health and wellness coaching, outdoor education, and child development has shaped her belief in the importance of nurturing the whole child – mind, body, and spirit. Inspired by her experiences working with children, Ava plans to pursue a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy, with the hope of continuing to support children’s development, independence, and well-being.

Outside of the classroom, Ava is an avid bird watcher, traveler, yoga teacher, and Sudoku-doer. She is excited to bring her love of the outdoors, movement, and lifelong learning into her work with children.

Marieke Danniau

Artists in Community

Marieke is an alum of Columbus College of Art and Design with a BFA in 2D animation and a minor in art history and fashion. She specializes in 2D character animation and illustration.

Aside from doing art, she loves working with plants, reading any and all sci-fi, and exploring new crafts from knitting to paper making.

Learn more about Marieke and her art here.