Follow Your Curiosity

Follow Your CuriosityFollow Your CuriosityFollow Your Curiosity

Follow Your Curiosity

Follow Your CuriosityFollow Your CuriosityFollow Your Curiosity
  • Home
  • About
  • Writers Retreats
  • Art-Craft-Folk
  • Travel - Accommodations
  • Class Menu
  • More
    • Home
    • About
    • Writers Retreats
    • Art-Craft-Folk
    • Travel - Accommodations
    • Class Menu
  • Home
  • About
  • Writers Retreats
  • Art-Craft-Folk
  • Travel - Accommodations
  • Class Menu

You are invited to Eye of the Whale in the San Juans

Learn with Writers

Create Art & Photography

Create Art & Photography

Poetry, Memoir and Songwriting

Create Art & Photography

Create Art & Photography

Create Art & Photography

Art workshops

Painting, Photography, Sculpture, Raku

Hands-on Fiber/Folkways

Create Art & Photography

Hands-on Fiber/Folkways

Folkways Craft Workshops

Blacksmithing, Weaving, Spinning and more

Writers . Artists . Folkways . Workshops & Field Trips on San Juan Island. May 15-18.

Writers . Artists . Folkways . Workshops & Field Trips on San Juan Island. May 15-18.

Writers . Artists . Folkways . Workshops & Field Trips on San Juan Island. May 15-18.

Writers . Artists . Folkways . Workshops & Field Trips on San Juan Island. May 15-18.

Writers . Artists . Folkways . Workshops & Field Trips on San Juan Island. May 15-18.

Writers . Artists . Folkways . Workshops & Field Trips on San Juan Island. May 15-18.

Creative Arts Workshops and Nature Explorations - 3-day retreats, fun ala carte DIY makery workshops

Hands-on activities and field trips are great for creative individuals, groups of friends, or families. Offering Fine Art, Writers, Craft Artisans & Folkway workshops, field activities, with group meals and celebrations.


3-day Writers Retreats are Thursday-Saturday, May 15th-17th. Depart 18th. $595


Hands-on Visual Art & Makery Workshops + Field Trips have ala carte options, select from any track to create your own program, May 15th-18th. $45-$300


See all activity registration options
Explore your creative side

Artist & Artisan Craft Workshops & Tours

Select half or full day explorations and enjoy working with your hands and heart to create something meaningful, useful - or delicious. Painting, sculpture, printmaking, fiber, wood, metal, food, beverage.  Select fun topics ala carte - great way to challenge yourself!

Artist & Makers Workshops are Thursday-Sunday.

See Arts & Artisans Workshops - 4 track options
Develop your story

Writers Retreats

Workshops with inspiring instructors, in a supportive learning community, offer fun ways to explore and grow.

Nature & poetry writing, Memoir writing, Song writing.

Three tracks, over three days, 

Thursday, May 15 - Saturday. May 17.


Select your Writer's retreat - 3 Track options
Head out across the Island

Field Trips to farms, creative studios, and out into nature.

Many Eye of the Whale workshops include a special field trip component as noted in the workshop descriptions and may be included in your tution, or have an additional fee as an add-on activity. We also offer suggestions for fun Island Makers' drop-ins for studio, food and beverages. 

Full Event Overview

3-Day Writers Retreats and 4 Days of fun ala carte Art and Artisan Workshop Options - plus Field Trips. Bring a partner, friend, or family, choose what you each enjoy most.

From town to farm to sea, activity sites are all across San Juan Island with a program home base in the historic Brickworks center in Friday Harbor.  

  • Workshops taught by engaging instructors. 
  • Guest speakers and special events. 
  • Field trips and tours are active learning experiences on island farms, in artist studios, or at nature sites.
  • Dinner finale with arts and music performances.
  • Makers workshops, Artist workshops, and Writers workshops.


Eye of the Whale is an enjoyable 4 day / 3 night program with accommodation options for each track of learners. 


Full event: arrive May 15, depart the 18th. 

Day Trip Options for Arts and Field Trips, 16th and 17th.


Travel and Accommodation Options

- Special Events for Our Participants -

Thursday arrival & welcome programs

We suggest arriving Thursday. May 15th by noon. There are 4 morning ferries scheduled to arrive before noon. Thursday afternoon welcome activities for each track launch the program. No-host and reserved dinners are served 6-9pm.

Friday night showcases around town

Friday, May 16th, we have art, music & poetry readings hosted at local venues for you to enjoy after your choice of a no-host dinner location. Some of these events tie-in to your workshop activities, others are, well, just for the fun of it!

Eye of the Whale SPLASH! Private Sat. evening for program participants at Brickworks

Travel & Accomodations

Book your Ferry Space

Meal Options for Participants

Find your Accommodations

Ferry Departs from Anacortes. Flights available from Boeing Field, Anacortes and Bellingham.

WSDOT Ferries

Find your Accommodations

Meal Options for Participants

Find your Accommodations

Resort, Inn, Hotel, Camping, Vacation Rental options

Lodging

Meal Options for Participants

Meal Options for Participants

Meal Options for Participants

Dinner options. Lunch options as noted in the workshop details.

Dining plans

Each Year is Different - See Past Creative Arts & Heritage Events

    Keep Up to Date!

    Sign up to stay in touch with Creative Happenings in the San Juans.

    Contact Us

    Questions or Comments

    Email is the best way to communicate with us. Or use the chat message icon in lower right.

    Eye of the Whale - Creative Arts & Nature Gatherings

    Event Hub: 150 Nichols Street, Friday Harbor, Washington 98250, United States

    (360) 842-3573 creatives@eyeofthewhalearts.org

    • Home
    • Welcome
    • About
    • Writers Retreats
    • Art-Craft-Folk
    • Travel - Accommodations

    Eye of the Whale - Creative Arts & Nature

    (360) 842-3573 creatives@eyeofthewhalearts.org

    Copyright © 2025 Eye of the Whale - Creative Arts & Nature Gatherings - All Rights Reserved.

    This website uses cookies.

    We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

    Accept

    Stay Curious! and keep in touch with Eye of the Whale's year round offerings.

    Newsletter Sign Up Form