Arts Scene in the San Juan Islands
From readings in Lopez Island’s intimate library to the 60-artist Orcas Island Artworks co-op and the Seattle Opera at San Juan Island’s Community Theatre , you’ll discover a heady range of artistic offerings and activities on your visit to the San Juan Islands.
And you’ll find not just a profusion of professional artists, but also a wealth of part-time creativity—here, your tour guide, receptionist, server, or sales clerk is likely to paint, write, or act in their off hours. Musicians. Photographers. Writers. Sculptors. Actors. Stonemasons. Fiber artists. Watercolorists. Woodturners. Ceramicists. The very air breathes art.
Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan islands each offers you a wealth of galleries to explore, and on summer Saturdays, you can sample distinctive local crafts, art, jewelry, clothing, and pottery at these islands’ lively farmers’ markets. Even more dramatic are the community theaters in Eastsound and Friday Harbor, whose year-round entertainments range from plays and Broadway musicals to chamber and folk music and jazz . In the summer months, treat yourself to free live music in Eastsound’s village green, at the Port of Friday Harbor, or at Music on the Lawn at the San Juan Historical Society Museum.
Visit artists on their home ground during the Artists’ Studio Tours on Lopez in September and San Juan Island in June and October. In July, take in the Summer Arts Fair and the Lavender Festival on San Juan Island, and in August, enjoy the Chamber Music Festival on Orcas.
From internationally lauded to creatively home grown, from sophisticated to simple, you’ll discover a range of artistic experiences in the San Juans as wide and eclectic as your tastes.
Yvonne’s work space is a multi media island studio located four miles from the town of Friday Harbor on a beautiful lakeside setting. Come visit to watch and learn about her art glass panels, miniature sculptures (jewelry), and encaustic (beeswax) paintings. Artwork is available for sale and custom commissions always welcome. By appointment or call for studio hours. [more...]
Orcas Island Pottery is a favorite destination for visitors to Orcas Island.
The oldest pottery in the Northwest, it is located on West Beach only 3½ miles from Eastsound, in an area of old growth cedars and Douglas fir, on a 100 foot high bluff overlooking President's Channel. [more...]
Lopez Center for Community and the Arts is known to some as "LCCA", to others as "The Community Center", but to most simply as "The Center". But it is known to all on Lopez Island as a critical part of life on the island - a small rural sea-girt community of about 2,400 permanent residents situated about a 40 minute ferry ride from mainland Washington State. [more...]
The Orcas Center is the focal point on Orcas Island for community theater and the performing arts, presenting both local and professional artists. Over 40 performances a year has this center teeming with artistic activity. The facility features a 213 seat theater, a multipurpose community room, a fully equipped kitchen, offices and a beautiful lobby that functions as a gallery for the visual arts. [more...]
Renowned for professional quality productions and unmatchable island ambiance, Island Stage Left's goal is to provide the best theatre for everyone, regardless of their financial circumstance. Join us under the stars every summer for Shakespeare and indoors from September to May for contemporary and classical plays. Admission is free/ donations are appreciated. [more...]
A self-guided tour of 12 working studios with over 31 participants. We are a group of mutually supportive San Juan Island artists who open up our personal studio spaces, often including artistic gardens, to the public for an entire weekend at the end of spring each year. This free community event celebrates the way we work and live. In addition to displaying our work, including sculpture, jewelry, pottery, printmaking, glass, fiber and fine art, we share insights into how our art is created and what inspires and motivates us in our chosen media. [more...]
Art Gallery - Local Island Artists - Fine Arts and Crafts - Made in San Juan [more...]
We are a fine art galley that offers a venue for the native people of the Northwest Coast, the Inuit and Alaskan indigenous artists. We feature master carvers in wood, stone and bone. Our selection of silver, argillite basketry, paintings and ivory will enhance your island experience. [more...]
IMA - San Juan Islands Museum of Art in downtown Friday Harbor, 235 "A" Street, above the ferry lanes, provides four visual art exhibitions yearly, featuring artists both regional & beyond. Visit our website for current shows & events. Open Thursday - Sunday 11:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m. Art work in top photo is by artist RaVae Luckhart.
Visit Paula's studio where she turns porcelain clay on the potters wheel into unique and functional vessels for you table. Established in 1993, the studio offers visitors the opportunity to see a working studio and the many aspects of pottery making. Browse the showroom and view works in progress. Call for hours. [more...]
WaterWorks Galley 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. The work of the gallery’s painters and sculptors reflect the unique Northwest experience. Artists and their visions evolve and change, stimulated by the changing times we live in. Art jewelry is a new addition to the gallery. Monthly show schedule posted online. Seasonally adjusted hours. [more...]
The San Juan County Arts Council is a 501 (c) 3 organization that works to promote and integrate the artistic resources of the county for the creative economic development, education and overall well-being of the community. Public education regarding the arts, supporting existing arts organizations and artists, and creating a complete resource for San Juan County artistic endeavors are our primary goals. [more...]
Founded in 1987 Chimera Gallery is a showplace for Lopez artists and artisans, providing a central location in Lopez Village to display and sell their quality fine art and craft. We are a cooperative gallery with over 20 artists and we have a great selection of painting, pottery, jewelry, weaving, glass, metalwork, journals, botanical art, and more. We hope that you are inspired by our art, as we are inspired by the year-round beauty and peacefulness of Lopez Island. [more...]
Opened in 1959, Crow Valley Pottery continues to focus on artists creating original works in a variety of media. Potters Jeffri Coleman and Michael Rivkin anchor an exciting gallery unmatched in the islands for its breadth of artists. Coupled with an ever-changing collection of works, the diverse selection of artists and media makes each visit to Crow Valley Pottery unique. The summer show series is a "must do" while on Orcas. The "Annual Garden Show" each June ushers in the beginning of the summer season. The Gallery is open 7 days a week, 10:00 a.m. [more...]
The Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival is dedicated to the highest standards of musical excellence, through creative programming and Festival-related events throughout the year. It is our mission to share stimulating musical experiences with all midst the beauty of Orcas Island, creating Classical Music with a View!
Aloysia Friedmann, Artistic Director and Jon Kimura Parker, Artistic Advisor [more...]
