We need to wear masks in public, so let’s make them unique and playful!  In March enterprising volunteers started making masks to raise funds to support the San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA).  The masks come in all colors and delightful fabrics including ones of familiar art by famous artists. Who better to make  Continue Reading

Archipelago Collective Artistic Director, Sophie Baird-Daniel and Executive Director Dana Jackson announce the 2020 Virtual Chamber Music Festival… Our groundbreaking virtual festival presents 18 exceptional musicians from across the country. Our players hail from some of the nation’s top orchestras and chamber music institutions including the Seattle Symphony, Boston Symphony, the Metropolitan Opera, and the Chamber Music Society  Continue Reading

The Friday Harbor Atelier is doing their quarterly Art Give Away, featuring a colorful chicken named Henrietta by Jan Murphy.   Sign up here to enter to win this print! Link to: Friday Harbor Atelier Art Give Away  Link to: More about Artist Jan Murphy   Founded in 2018, Friday Harbor Atelier is an artist’s membership-based  Continue Reading

Island Rec & the San Juan County Fairgrounds are partnering to bring you a Drive In at the Fairgrounds on August 21st!, movie will start at dusk. Please note, tickets must be reserved in advance. To reserve your tickets email info@sjcfair.org with “Drive-In” in the subject line or call 360-378-4310. If paying at the time  Continue Reading

Friday Harbor Film Festival’s Summer 2020 Virtual Cinema will present a FREE virtual on-demand screening of Public Trust, produced by Patagonia Films, on August 19 through 23, followed by a hosted audience discussion on August 23 at 6 pm PDT.   To view the film anytime on the specified dates and participate in the webinar, RSVP  Continue Reading

This 2020 Fair season, Alchemy Art Center is grateful to be featured in the San Juan Island Community Foundation’s Matching Grant Program!  We are raising funds for the free kids arts programming we are currently offering in partnership with Island Rec and the Family Resource Center, as well as for the Kid Pod Classes we  Continue Reading

AND WE’RE LIVE! We are SO very honored to be featured in the SJICF Matching Grant Program! The catalog is now open, today through Saturday the 15th, which means it’s time to show our support for the 30 amazing local nonprofits that are being featured!   *The catalog will be active during the days of  Continue Reading

Waterworks gallery presents The Nature of Dreams featuring the work of artists Robin and John Gumaelius and Michael Dickter. “The gallery comes alive with kinetic ceramic creatures from Robin and John that cavort and play in an imaginary world created by this wife and husband team. The gallery walls reverberate with beautiful flowers and flying  Continue Reading

We hear from artist and animal activist Jan Murphy… Friday Harbor Artist Jan Murphy uses her art to help exploited Asiatic Bears. Jan is an artist at the Friday Harbor Atelier, 313 Spring Street. “Hi, my name is Jan Murphy, and at 59 years old, I can finally say that I no longer feel timid about calling  Continue Reading

There is a lot going on at the Alchemy Art Center.   Dear Parents,   We have been looking forward to getting back to making art in person, and have some thoughts on how we can do so as safely as possible!   It seems to us that school will probably not be back to “normal” in  Continue Reading

We hear from Miles Crossen, San Juan County Fair Photography Co-Superintendent… Attention all you photographers out there! You have about 10 days left to enter your pictures in the First Ever San Juan County Virtual Fair. Link to: Virtual Fair Online Entry

Waterworks new show, Art AiSLE, features acrylic on panel paintings by Kalindi Kunis. Join us wearing your mask for a socially distanced opening on Thursday, July 30, 4:00 – 7:00 pm. The show will continue 07/30 – 09/30   Waterworks Gallery is proud to present Kalindi Kunis’s newest body of work created especially for this show. These acrylic  Continue Reading

We hear from Diane Martindale at the San Juan Islands Museum of Art… Don’t miss our first virtual Artist Talk on Sunday, August 9, 11:00 am featuring Holly Ballard Martz (DOMESTIC BLISS) and June Sekiguchi (THE PULSE OF WATER).   Holly and June will be walking you through their exhibitions and answering questions from virtual participants!  Continue Reading

If you visit the Sculpture Park at Roche Harbor on a warm summer day you may feel drawn toward the shade of the forest path. Should you venture into the wooded path you may find some surprises. Island artists Anita Barreca and Francie Hansen joined by others including Beth Spadafora and Jason Munkres have adorned  Continue Reading

The Town and its Friday Harbor Arts Commission have published Friday Harbor Poetry Gardens–a book of the winning entries in its first poetry garden contest. Thirty of the 271 entries submitted by local poets were selected for publication and for display at four outdoor poetry gardens within the town. The limited edition book is available  Continue Reading

The Scent Keeper & House Lessons: Renovating a Life Many of you enjoyed Erica Bauermeister’s first visit to San Juan Island for her debut novel, The School Of Essential Ingredients, that went on to become a New York Times bestseller. July 22, at 7:00 p.m. – via Zoom – she is returning to the San  Continue Reading

Local photographer John Miller shares this photo he shot the other morning. And here’s what he has to say about it: “I was sailing back from Stuart Island and came upon this unusual sight – looked like three houses barging away from San Juan Island, and all seem to be practicing social distancing?” Thanks for  Continue Reading

San Juan Island Sculpture Park is in the news – the National News on CNN.com. Check out this article on wild, weird, spectacular places… https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/best-outdoor-art-united-states/index.html And remember to go check the park out for yourself. You’ll likely be impressed if you haven’t been there in a while and it’s a great place to relax with  Continue Reading

In the mailbag this morning we have a note from Helen Machin-Smith of Island Stage Left… Hello from Island Stage Left, Apparently a rumor has been circulating that Island Stage Left has ceased operations. This is news to us! The rumor is untrue. At this point we have no idea what the future holds (nor  Continue Reading

Join the fun!!  San Juan County Virtual Fair call to action for performers to participate in “2020: A Fair Odyssey” August 12-15! This year has presented a unique opportunity to showcase your talent and celebrate the culture of the Islands. Help represent this region through music, dance, comedy, theater, improv, storytelling, poetry, visual artists, and  Continue Reading

Time for all Island Writers to get ready to launch your entries for the “2020: A Fair Odyssey” Virtual San Juan County Fair! But, you say, the Fair is over a month away—August 12-15. True, but the deadline for the Written Word entries is July 17th— just weeks away! So, prepare those writings for takeoff—Prose, Poetry,  Continue Reading

Sharp eyed Update reader Josephine Swan saw this flower and called John Miller to take these shots Sunday because she could not believe her eyes.   Of these photos she says: “The soul’s roots planted in good soil will thrive anywhere.”