Alchemy Art Center

Larry Soll shares this invitation with you…

Dear Friends,

There is going to be a very special evening of music and celebration for an even more “special” cause.  Many of you know Maria Michaelson, an island native who as a teenager traveled by herself to central Africa to learn how village women made incredible sculptures.  Her studies have taken her around the world and her work is truly exceptional.  Eben Shay is a more recent transplant; he arrived as a carpenter but, after meeting Maria, started creating beautiful art, first in wood and, more recently in bronze.  This young couple is now hoping to nucleate an island renaissance and are building an art center.  I could not be more pleased to help and hope you will join me.  And did I mention the desserts and music will be incredible?

Larry Soll

A Win, Win, Win!

It isn’t easy these days to imagining actually winning but here is an opportunity for a Perfecta.  There is going to be a benefit for the new Alchemy Art Center on September 1st at the San Juan Community Theatre in conjunction with a concert featuring The Birds of Chicago and you are invited.  With a donation of $100 to the Alchemy Art Center you get the following:

Birds of Chicago – Contributed photo

Win #1
You get a prime ticket to the music event of the summer, a concert by the Birds of Chicago.  The entire center section of the theatre has been reserved for us.  Perhaps you or some of your friends were at their sold out concert two years ago.  Many people have said they were the best folk group (they describe their music as “secular gospel”) ever to perform in Friday Harbor.  For those with access to Spotify listen to their latest album “Love in Wartime”.  You can also view videos on YouTube.

Win #2
There will be a dessert reception prior to the performance in the Steele patio (behind the theatre) for donors.  Several phenomenal island bakers and chefs have agreed to make their favorite desserts for the occasion.  We will also have an 11 pound bar of Belgian chocolate, wine, “bubbly” and coffee.  The reception will give you a chance to meet Maria Michaelson and Eben Shay, the two founders of the Alchemy Art Center, other artists from the center and members of the band.  We will also have some examples of the art being produced at Alchemy.

Win #3
And most importantly, you can support the growth of Alchemy Art Center.  Maria and Eben, both talented artists, envisioned a center on San Juan Island that would generate great art and, at the same time, give islanders opportunities to learn and create.  Last year they purchased property on Wold Road and have been busy restoring some buildings and expanding others to provide studio and teaching space .  They have recruited artists/teachers to join them and have initiated a visiting artist program.  For a modest fee, members of the community can enjoy 24/7 access to their facilities and receive weekly instruction from Maria, Eben and their friends.  They also host monthly sessions where artists and students critique recent work.  The money raised at this event will be used to complete photographic darkrooms and printmaking facilities thus expanding the range of Alchemy art. More information can be found at the website, www.alchemyartcenter.com.

For those of you not familiar with Maria and Eben’s art, here are a few examples:

Maria Michaelson

Maria Michaelson

Eben Shay

Eben Shay

To Reserve Tickets

Fill out the attached form (please make sure your email and mailing addresses are correct), include a check for the number of tickets ($100 per ticket) and mail to:

Alchemy Art Center
1255 Wold Road
Friday Harbor, WA 98250

Since all seats are reserved, please indicate whether we should expect requests from friends and we will do our best to locate seats close together.   If, by some chance you already have purchased tickets, please so indicate and include a check for $75/person.

Be a Winner, Reserve Now! (Click here for order form PDF)

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