Visual Arts Workshops & Field Trips

Peter Möhlman lives in the San Juans and has a gallery and teaching program on Orcas Island. Peter was born in New Jersey and grew up in the Estonian-American community there and in New York City. He completed his high school years at the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts, immersed in the city's culture and art scene. After graduating from the Atlanta College of Art in 1992, he returned to New York where he created mural art in the bars and clubs of the East Village. He worked through the years as a sculptor, mold maker, encaustic painter, and eventually creating window displays world wide for Gucci. Leaping across the country, he spent time in Oregon and eventually settled in Alaska where he designed, built and sold furniture. Visiting Orcas over the last ten years, he became a full time resident in 2019 and joined the Orcas Island Artworks gallery. Since then he has has taken a deep dive into his love for land and seascapes, both in watercolor and acrylic.  

https://www.petermohlman.com/

Friday morning we are hosting a watercolor workshop with Peter Mohlman of Orcas Island.  Weather permitting, we'll go out and sketch and watercolor at South Beach, often the site of dramatic driftwood pile ups, overlooking the Olympics and Vancouver Island. Meet at Brickworks, the main Eye of the Whale hub in Friday Harbor. Bring your sketchbook and any favorite watercolor supplies. A basic kit of watercolor supplies is available for beginners.

Friday afternoon, Peter is hosting a fun driftwood sculpture class - kids are welcome too. You'll work with small driftwood maerials that can be transported home in your car. Joinery skills will be useful when making larger works at home. Peter creates large scale sculptures and functional furniture at his home studio. Meet at Brickworks, the main Eye of the Whale hub in Friday Harbor.

Saturday Afternoon, Acrylic painting. Saturday afternoon, we convene at the Luminous Gallery in Friday Harbor for an afternoon acrylic painting class. Note: Saturday morning, we encourage you to get out and explore the island . A visit to Lime Kiln Park is a great start. Be sure to take pictures or sketch on your adventures and during the workshop, turn those images into small acrylic work you can easily transport home. Meet at Luminous Gallery next to ferry landing at 1pm. All supplies provided.

Alchemy Art Center is a non profit community art center serving the creative arts community since 2018. Their facilities include a communal ceramics studio, a photography darkroom, and a printmaking studio. Year round classes and artist residences enrich island life and provide access to space and equipment with a mission to preserve San Juan Island as an accessible place for artists, which in turn creates a richer and more creative island culture. In collaboration with Eye of the Whale, Alchemy teachers are hosting workshops at their forested site, and at the main Brickworks event hub in Friday Harbor. Events held at Eye of the Whale, and out at Alchemy Art are listed below. Alchemy artists are teaching on Friday and Saturday at the Brickworks, the central makery for Eye of the Whale. 

https://alchemyartcenter.com/

Learn how to make your paint with plants from your environment in this fun hands-on class! Using natural materials to create artwork can be a great way to connect with your ecosystem. This class is designed to re-incorporate art supply making into artmaking practices. Held at Alchemy Arts Center. Taught by Katey Rissi.

 In this class we will make intuitive monotype prints to use as raw materials for dynamic hanging sculptures. We will play with layers and form, in both 2D and 3D media, transforming prints into art objects. Printmaking experience is encouraged but not required for this class.  This class is taught by visiting artist Erin Tyler. 

 In this class we will make intuitive monotype prints to use as raw materials for dynamic hanging sculptures. We will play with layers and form, in both 2D and 3D media, transforming prints into art objects. Printmaking experience is encouraged but not required for this class.  This class is taught by visiting artist Erin Tyler. 

Learn about the magic of creating color with local plants. We will discuss local sources for natural dye both wild and cultivated. Lays a solid foundation to help you understand the fundamentals of how natural dyeing works, so you can continue a dye practice yourself. Held at Alchemy Arts Center, taught by Katey Rissi.

THESE PRIVATE TOURS ARE FOR ENROLLED PARTICIPANTS ONLY & THEIR GUESTS. Small group Studio visits have been pre-arranged for our program participants with priority given to those enrolled in the Arts / Craft / Folk workshops. Since parking is limited, we need to manage traffic. If you are traveling with interested family members, they are welcome to attend. After you've enrolled in your workshops, select the field trip you'd like to request. Carpooling always appreciated. Reservations are per car.

Paula is opening her studio on the west side of the island for an illumiating look at her pottery making process. Learn about her clay, wheel, glaze and firing methods - plus enjoy her gallery shop. Perfect stop on way to/from Lime Kiln Park. Reservations for enrolled Eye of the Whale participants and family members required. Parking is limited. Open for 10:30 - noon for tour by reservation. https://www.paulawestpottery.com/

On same property with Paula West, Joe is a sculptor of wood art, furniture, and design projects. Perfect stop on way to/from Lime Kiln Park. Reservations for enrolled Eye of the Whale participants and family members required. Parking is limited. Open for 10:30 - noon for tour by reservation. https://www.joecooperdesign.com/

A few spaces are available to visit the remote mountaintop studio of stone and wood sculptor Tom Small on Saturday May 17th in the afternoon. Please carpool. Studio tour is at 2pm. Directions will be provided once traffic flow is arranged. https://www.sculptureoftomsmall.com/