2026 artist residencies
Alchemy Art Center hosts a seasonal artist residency program on San Juan Island, WA for artists working in the mediums of ceramics, printmaking, fiber art, or darkroom photography.
2026 Program Dates:
Spring Cohort, Teaching and Special Projects:
May 1st to May 25th 2026Summer I Cohort, Artists in Community:
May 29th - July 15th 2026Summer II Cohort, Artists in Community:
July 18th - August 31st 2026
Alchemy’s AIR program is a unique opportunity to live in an immersive arts community on San Juan Island, connect with the wider SJI community via teaching and outreach activities, and have focused time to create art in an environment that supports collaboration, cross-pollination, and innovation. Artists-in-Residence are encouraged to work in all of Alchemy’s focus areas (regardless of their area of expertise), and experiment with mediums they may not have tried before.
All AIR opportunities include a work exchange of 15 hours per week, a substantial component of which is community engagement. This can mean teaching adult-level classes, leading free workshops in the park, mentoring small groups of young people, or simply interacting with Alchemy’s many studio members and visitors. Ideal candidates are people who enjoy people, and who are energized and inspired by collaborative interactions.
Teaching and Special Projects Artist Residency
2026 Program Dates:
May 1st to May 25th
Residency can be full term or half.
The Teaching and Special Projects Artist Residency is a shoulder-season residency for artists who specialize in one of our primary studio practices: ceramics, printmaking, fiber arts, or darkroom photography. Scheduled during Alchemy’s quieter months in the springtime, this opportunity is perfect for artists who are looking for more time and space to focus on their work.
Ideal applicants for this residency have an established studio practice in our mediums of focus, which are ceramics, printmaking, darkroom photography, and fiber art. We are seeking applicants who are experienced in teaching adult-level classes and/or helping us with a special project.
For teaching, we are seeking artists who can add to our adult class programming. Visiting artists help us offer unique classes to our community that we would not otherwise be able to offer with our own staff/other island artists. This year, some classes we’d like to see include proposals related to weaving, spinning, darkroom photography, intaglio, and painting. Please feel free to propose anything that you are excited about!
For special projects, we are seeking artists who can help us implement infrastructure and equipment improvements to our studios. Past projects have included an electro etching tank, setting up a gas fired kiln, creating a stained glass window for the welcome kiosk, and building a cement dome storage space. Projects that we are interested in this year could include support with the build of a large ceramic kiln.
Applicants must also be comfortable living semi-outdoors in the cooler shoulder season weather of the Pacific Northwest, and sharing communal bathroom and kitchen space with approximately 8 other people.
Artists in Community Artist Residency
2026 Program Dates:
Summer 1 - May 29th - July 15th
Summer 2 - July 18th - August 31st
Artists in Community residencies must be full term, summer 1 or summer 2.
Our Artists in Community program occurs during the summer months, when Alchemy is most active in the San Juan Island community. Artists-in-Residence joining us during this time are an integral part of our summer programming, leading free workshops in the park, mentoring youth groups, working with our local summer camp, and more. This is an opportunity for artists looking to connect with the broader island community, share their skills, work collaboratively, and create art in a dynamic and supportive environment. Applicants must be comfortable living semi-outdoors, and sharing communal bathroom and kitchen space with approximately 8 other people.