Alchemy Art Center and Friends of the San Juans are teaming up to bring art and ecology together in “Interconnected,” a collaborative mural project celebrating eelgrass—a vital but often overlooked marine plant in the Salish Sea. With the generous support of A Waterworks Gallery, this community-driven project invites locals to craft ceramic tiles for a stunning mosaic that will be installed as public art on San Juan Island.
We’re grateful to A Waterworks Gallery and the many community members who joined us last winter to create tiles for this project. Please join us for our Spring Open House on Friday, May 16th, to unveil the completed tiles!
Why eelgrass?
“Eelgrass is the unsung hero of the Salish Sea,” says Elise Cope, Communications and Outreach Director at Friends of the San Juans. “I picture it as an underwater conductor’s baton, swaying with the tides to orchestrate life in our nearshore waters. It shelters vibrant marine life like stalked jellyfish and nudibranchs, nurtures young salmon, and provides a vital haven for forage fish that sustain the critically endangered Southern Resident killer whales.”
Despite its crucial role in stabilizing shorelines, filtering water, and supporting marine life, eelgrass in the San Juans is disappearing. This mural will not only beautify the community but also raise awareness about the importance of protecting eelgrass habitats.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate eelgrass with this project,” says Alchemy Art Center co-founder Maria Michaelson. “Just as eelgrass weaves life together under the waves, this mural will bring our community together to create something beautiful above the surface.”
The mural-making events are open to all ages and no prior art experience is needed. Bring your creativity and learn more about eelgrass’s vital role in our ecosystem. Join us in creating a mural that connects us all—just like the eelgrass beds we’re working to protect!
For updates on “Interconnected” and other programming, you can follow the organizations on Instagram: Alchemy Art Center at @alchemyartcenter and Friends of the San Juans @friendsofthesanjuansinsta, or sign up for their newsletter on their websites below.
Got a wall?
Alchemy Art Center is seeking a public-facing wall in town to house the completed mural. Interested? Reach out to Alchemy to discuss! 360-622-858, [email protected]
About Alchemy Art Center:
Founded in 2016, Alchemy Art Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to fostering a thriving arts community on San Juan Island. Please visit alchemyartcenter.com for more information.
