Voted into the “Top Ten American Art Towns” by America the Beautiful, Friday Harbor is an art-lover’s paradise, where you can visit galleries, hear great music and see a play all within a few blocks. The new San Juan Islands Museum of Art (IMA), features art exhibits from local, national and international artists.
The San Juan Community Theatre offers a thriving performing arts scene year round. On this self-guided tour, take a scenic drive to Roche Harbor to stroll through the captivating San Juan Islands Sculpture Park, just 20 minutes from Friday Harbor, where you’ll get a dose of art and nature simultaneously. More than 100 sculptures are set in 20 stunning acres, dotted beneath trees, atop rises and even in the water. At Roche Harbor Resort, visit the small seasonal artist's kiosks for island-made jewelry, photography and gifts. In late spring, the San Juan Island Artists Studio Tour takes you behind the scenes to see where painters, jewelers, sculptors, fiber artists and ceramicists create their work. During summer, visit the Friday Harbor Art Market at Brickworks Plaza, where you'll find the perfect gift of jewelry, pottery, paintings and more. In summer, you can also enjoy Island Stage Left's performances of Shakespeare Under the Stars.
House Post
2-98 Front Street, Friday Harbor
Enjoy the waterfront walk down to the Port of Friday Harbor, appreciating the Coast Salish house posts and the many visiting boats from around the world. The piece is titled "Interaction" and was created by Salish Coast artist Susan Point, a member of the Musqueum Tribe, as a symbol of welcome and an acknowledgement of the Native presence in the San Juan Islands. "Interaction" is also dedicated to welcoming all to work together in the stewardship of our precious marine ecosystem.
130 First Street S., Friday Harbor ; (360) 378-3433
Arctic Raven Gallery is a fine art gallery featuring Arctic and Northwest Coast Native work. This Friday Harbor gallery offers a diverse collection of Northwest Coast Indian masks, wood carvings and prints representing local peoples including the Coast Salish, Kwaguilth, and Makah nations as well as the more northern Haida, Tlingit and Tsimshian. Shows change often, with works by master carvers in wood, stone and bone, and a selection of silver, argillite basketry, paintings and ivory to enhance your island experience.
Island Studios is a fine arts and crafts gallery opened in 1996 for the exclusive purpose of representing artists and craftspersons who live in the islands. Don't miss the outdoor garden art section in the back of the shop.
315 Argyle, Friday Harbor ; (360) 378-3060
WaterWorks Gallery is San Juan Island’s première gallery for contemporary artwork, established in 1985 with the concept of showcasing artists based in the San Juan Islands and the Pacific Northwest.
160 MacGinitie Rd., Friday Harbor ; (360) 298-4117
Visit Paula's studio on the southwest side of San Juan Island, where she turns porcelain clay on the potters wheel into unique and functional vessels for your table. Established in 1993, the studio offers visitors the opportunity to see a working studio and the many aspects of pottery making.
Yvonne Buijs-Mancuso Studio / San Juan Glassworks
1296 Wold Rd., Friday Harbor ; (360) 378-6725
Yvonne’s work space is a multi-media island studio located four miles from Friday Harbor on a beautiful lakeside setting. Come watch and learn about her art glass panels, miniature sculptures (jewelry), and encaustic (beeswax) paintings.
San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA)
540 Spring St., Friday Harbor ; (360) 370-5050
The new San Juan Islands Museum of Art offers quarterly exhibitions of fine visual art from around the world. The IMA mission is to connect people with art that inspires, challenges, and enlightens.
San Juan Islands Sculpture Park
9083 Roche Harbor Road, Roche Harbor ; (360) 622-5270
Don't miss this 20-acre outdoor park with over 125 unique sculptures in a beautifully landscaped setting. Various trails are mapped and marked to follow on a self guided tour.
San Juan Island Artists' Studio Tour
San Juan Island ; (360) 378-5594
This community event celebrates the way San Juan Island artists work and live. In addition to displaying their work, including sculpture, jewelry, pottery, printmaking, glass, fiber and fine art, the artists share insights into how their art is created and what inspires and motivates them in their chosen media.
