Young Environmentalists Program
Applications for our 2025 Spring Young Environmentalists Program are CLOSED!
If you are just now learning about this opportunity and would like to join, please email glenn@alchemyartcenter.com to inquire
2025 Marks the 4th year of this compelling youth program, offered free of charge each Spring. During this 9-week program, young people (middle school and high school ages) have the opportunity to work with a variety of professional artists, activists, and environmental scientists to explore how art and environmentalism intersect, and how to make their voices heard about the issues that matter most to them. Students learn different art-making techniques that culminate in a large-scale, collaborative art project. Thanks to the generous support of the Madrona Institute and the Horizons Foundation, this program is offered free of charge!
This year, our theme is Creating a Positive Future. In the face of catastrophic climate change and uncertain futures, creative thinking becomes even more essential. As artists and visionaries, we have the power to radically reimagine our reality in ways that can create roadmaps for transformative change, and a positive future.
The first unit of this program will explore painting, meditation, sense of place, creative writing, and “zines” (independently produced publications). The second unit of the program will draw on the ideas cultivated in the first unit to create a final theatrical performance for the May 24th Spring Arts Fest.
Areas of focus and projects include:
Sense of Place
Artistic Collaboration
Creative Writing
Printmaking/DIY Publishing
Waste Systems and Creative Reuse
Final Performance: Backdrop painting, script writing, costumes, set design, performance
COST: Thanks to generous support from the Madrona Institute and the Horizons Foundation, this program is free of charge to all participants!
CALENDAR AND SCHEDULE
Please note that this is a working schedule, so some times are TBD. If the location is Alchemy Art Center on a school day, students have the option of taking the school bus. Otherwise, students will need to have transport to and from the field trip location (Alchemy can help coordinate transportation). We know that students may not be able to make every date, but please take note of the schedule and apply only if the majority of the program can be attended.
UNIT 1: Exploring our world, and our place within it. This unit will include painting, writing, drawing, collage, printmaking, and outdoor exploration.
INTRODUCTION
Monday, March 24th 3:30-6pm, Alchemy Art Center
Introductory day with Maria Michaelson, Glenn Hendrick, and Kari Koski. Centering exercises, ice-breakers, and landscape painting activity. What is going on in our world? What would we like to see in our community and world?Saturday, March 29th, 11am-1pm, Field Trip TBD
Image creation: finding a reflection of ourselves in the landscape! Led by artist and educator, Katey RissiCREATIVE WRITING
Monday, March 31st, 3:30-6pm, Alchemy Art Center
Shauna Barrows of the San Juan County Landbank and Island Verse Literary Collective gets us going on some creative writing!Saturday April 5th, 11am-2pm, Field trip location on San Juan Island TBD
10am-1pm, drop-off and pick-up from parking lot of San Juan County Park
Sense of place and writing activity led by Kari Koski and Shauna Barrows
***SPRING BREAK - Some kids will be here, and some will be off island… this week is optional!
Monday, April 7th, 3:30-6pm, Alchemy Art Center
Kids create their own unique board game, based on Life/Monopoly/Dungeons and Dragons
Saturday, April 12th, 11am-2pm, Alchemy Art Center
We play our board game!
ZINES/PRINTMAKING/GREAT ISLAND CLEAN-UP!
Monday, April 14th, 3:30-6pm, Alchemy Art Center
Zines! Shauna Barrows and Alchemy Art Center’s printmaking expert Katey Rissi join forces to lead the students through creating their own DIY publication. The finished product will incorporate both writing and visual art by the students, and will be printed for local distribution.
Saturday, April 19th, 11am-2pm, Alchemy Art Center
Zine day part 2!
Monday, April 21st, 3:30-6pm, Alchemy Art Center
Kids create 2-3 collaborative screen print designs for the Great Island Clean Up!
Saturday, April 26th, Time TBD, Great Island Clean-Up!
Students will print their designs on-site at the Great Island Clean-Up, and hand out their zines. They will also participate in the clean-up!
UNIT 2: THEATER! This portion of the program focuses on the creation of the final project (a collaborative performance at the San Juan Spring Arts Fest). You do not need to have experience in theater! We will find a fun spot for you in this project regardless.
THEATER INTRO
Monday, April 28th, 3:30-6pm, Alchemy Art Center
Local theater wiz Nicole Santora will lead the introduction to the the final project, and collaborative theater production! Don’t worry if you are not an actor or extrovert, this project will have an exciting and essential role for everyone.Saturday, May 3rd, 11am-2pm, FIELD TRIP TBD!
COSTUMESMonday, May 5th, 3:30-6PM, Alchemy Art Center
Students will conceptualize and begin to create their costumes for the production! Skills learned: sketching, planning, sewing.Saturday, May 10th, 3:30-6PM, Alchemy Art Center
Day 2 of costumes!
BACKDROP/MUSIC
Monday, May 12th, 3:30-6PM, Alchemy Art Center
Backdrop painting with local mural artist! Students will work together to create the backdrop of their play. This is a super fun hands-on painting day led by professional mural artist Guilherme Lemes!Saturday, May 17th, 11am-2pm, Alchemy Art Center
Some kids will finish the backdrop, some will create a musical score or song for the production using chance techniques led by John Wheatley of Spring Street School!
PERFORMANCE
Monday, May 19th, 3:30-6pm, Alchemy Art Center
Wrap up script, costumes, set, REHEARSAL!Saturday, May 24th, time TBD (afternoon/evening): Final Performance at the San Juan Spring Arts Fest, Brickworks Stage!
Students will present their final performance to the island community in between the two main acts at the San Juan Spring Arts Fest!
APPLY FOR YOUNG ENVIRONMENTALISTS!
Who is this program for?
This program is geared towards students aged 12-15, but students outside of this age range will be considered as well. Email glenn@alchemyartcenter.com with any questions!
Applicants must have experience or interest in drawing, painting, writing, sculpture, photography, performance/theater, or any creative expression.
Applicants must have an interest in our environment.
Who should apply?
Kids who are able to attend most dates
Kids who have an interest in art and environmental stewardship
Kids who are willing to try new things and participate in a final art show
Kids who are willing to work collaboratively with their peers
APPLICATION & ACCEPTANCE
Applications are open now through March 14th, and applicants will be notified of acceptance on a first come first served basis. Apply today, space is limited!