New Gallery & Gift Shop

Pamela Hoke works on her painting outside of her new shop next door to the Dr.’s Office

A gallery and gift shop with a very specific mission just opened in a new space sharing the historic Victorian building with the Dr.’s Office Treatment Café, 85 Front Street, across from the Friday Harbor ferry landing. The Nature Connection Gallery & Gifts is a goal of artist, veteran of corporate branding and retailing, and now emerging author, Pamela Hoke from Stuart, Florida (www.PamelaHoke.com), to inspire a deeper connection with nature, through fine art, hand-made jewelry and fine crafts, natural soaps and candles, nature therapy books, and introducing nature-centered creativity workshops at Lakedale Resort. There will be a special open house held Saturday, May 18th, 6-9pm to celebrate the opening with refreshments and snacks.
The Nature Connection Gallery was inspired by Hoke’s graduate studies at www.ProjectNatureConnect.org, an online school founded and directed by locally known musician, environmental education scholar and author, Dr. Michael Cohen. Hoke visited San Juan Island last September for the annual school gathering, held at Lakedale Resort  and was intrigued by the special location at the ferry dock and historic building. The gallery helps create a long time dream of hers to create a brand that inspires a more natural and environmentally responsible approach in the retail industry, through the arts and nature therapy as a solution for those feeling increasingly stressed out in society and seeking a more creative, natural life balance. Hoke hopes to inspire local residents and visitors as she bonds her painting style with the island by painting live on weekends outside the gallery, and share her upcoming book, Natural Self Discovery. She plans to be joined by the music of Mike Cohen on select evenings. Dr. Cohen’s and other Project NatureConnect graduate books are available at the gallery, with special donation rates for those seeking continued education and accredited college credits in nature therapy. The nature books sales help in continuing this unique school, assists Hoke in obtain her PhD in Organic Psychology, continue in her long-time volunteering and donations to multiple environmental non-profit organizations, and helps the concept of a more nature and art conscious retail brand grow.
The gallery has partnered with Lakedale Resort as the first to host nature-centered summer workshops that help everyone melt stress away through learning how to make the most out of experiences in nature, and how to continue more nature-connected, balanced feelings long after the vacation or excursion is over. This unique set of creative nature workshops range from therapeutic nature hikes with island legend and nature therapy expert and author, Dr. Cohen, outdoor creative adventures in watercolor painting or paddleboarding with Pamela Hoke, and nature-infused yoga experiences with special guest, Elaine Cohn, yoga and counseling specialist.
For more information the gallery, to sign-up for NatureConnecting eNews, or to learn more about the nature workshops at Lakedale Resort, please visit www.TheNatureConnection.net. The full nature connection online store will be available by mid-summer for shopping year-round and from anywhere. Currently workshop reservations can be made online, by phone 360-280-1872, or e-mail pam [@] thenatureconnection.net. There will be a $5 discount for local residents to participate in the workshops, with special discounts on groups and private sessions. More information may also be obtained by visiting the gallery in person at 85 Front Street, right next to the Dr’s Office Treatment Café across from the ferry landing, or by calling 360-280-1872.

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