Sequim Arts organizes and supports a range of programs designed to serve working artists, engage the broader community, and build the cultural reputation of the Olympic Peninsula. Some have been running for nearly two decades. Others were added in response to needs identified by our members and community partners.
Every program reflects a simple belief: art is most meaningful when it's shared. Whether you're a painter looking for structured critique, a family seeking weekend activities, or a visitor curious about the local gallery scene, there's something here for you.
Monthly First Friday Art Walk
Downtown Sequim galleries open their doors on the first Friday of every month, 5:00 to 8:00 PM. Free admission, artist receptions, and live demonstrations. Our longest-running and most-attended program.
Art Walk details → Year-Round Community Workshops
Hands-on studio sessions in watercolor, ceramics, printmaking, fiber arts, encaustic, and mixed media. More than fifty workshops annually, open to all skill levels. Member discounts available.
Workshop schedule → Ages 6-18 Youth Arts
After-school classes, summer camps, and one-on-one mentorships for young artists. Programming covers painting, sculpture, ceramics, and digital media. Financial assistance is available for qualifying families.
Youth programs → Residency Artist Residency
A four-week retreat for visual artists seeking focused creative time on the Olympic Peninsula. Includes studio space, a stipend, and community engagement opportunities. Applications reviewed twice yearly.
Residency details → September Plein Air Festival
Our signature annual event. Artists paint outdoors across the Sequim-Dungeness Valley for nine days, culminating in a juried exhibition and collector sale. Open to painters working in all outdoor media.
Festival information → Program Philosophy
Our programs share a few guiding principles. Accessibility is foundational: we keep workshop prices reasonable, offer financial assistance when possible, and ensure that most events (Art Walks, exhibitions, public art) are free. Quality matters: we work with experienced instructors, accomplished resident artists, and jurors with regional credibility. Community comes first: every program is designed to connect people, whether that means a teenager learning beside a working artist or a visitor from Seattle discovering a Sequim gallery for the first time.
Suggest a Program
We're always open to ideas. If there's a workshop topic, event format, or community need that you think Sequim Arts should address, we want to hear about it. Email us at [email protected] or bring it up at a board meeting. Some of our most successful programs started as suggestions from members and volunteers.
Looking for other ways to participate? Consider volunteering at an event, becoming a member, or exploring local galleries on your own schedule.