When: First Friday of each month, 5:00 to 8:00 PM
Where: Downtown Sequim, Washington Street and Sequim Avenue
Cost: Free. Always has been, always will be.

What to Expect

The First Friday Art Walk is the heartbeat of Sequim's arts community. On the first Friday of each month, a dozen or more galleries and participating venues open their doors from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. Visitors walk from space to space, often greeting friends along the way, popping into a cooperative gallery to see what's new, stopping at a solo show opening with wine and conversation.

Some galleries host live demonstrations. You might watch a potter throw on a wheel, a watercolorist work en plein air under the gallery awning, or a printmaker pull editions on a hand-press. Other venues focus on the social: live acoustic music, appetizers from a local caterer, a chance to meet the artist whose painting you've been thinking about since last month's walk.

The atmosphere is casual and welcoming. There's no dress code, no admission fee, no obligation to buy anything (though if something catches your eye, the artist will be glad to talk about it). Families bring kids. Tourists mix with longtime residents. It's the kind of event that makes a small town feel genuinely alive.

Participating Galleries

The following galleries and venues regularly participate in the Art Walk. Hours and participation may vary slightly by month, so check with individual galleries for specific details.

  • Blue Whole Gallery -- Sequim's artist cooperative, featuring work by more than 30 local member artists. Monthly rotating exhibitions. 129 W Washington St.
  • Sequim Museum & Arts Center Gallery -- Rotating exhibitions of regional and historical art alongside the museum's permanent collection. 544 N Sequim Ave.
  • Pacific Mist Books & Gallery -- Art and literary events combined. Local artists featured alongside book signings and readings. 122 W Washington St.
  • Cedarbrook Lavender Gift Shop -- Lavender-inspired art and gifts, often featuring guest artists during Art Walk. 134 1/2 W Washington St.
  • Wind Rose Cellars -- Wine tasting paired with rotating art exhibitions by local painters and photographers. 143 W Washington St.
  • R&T Crystals & Treasures -- Fine art, jewelry, and handcrafted items by regional artisans. 139 W Washington St.

Additional venues participate on a seasonal or occasional basis. For a complete list of current month participants, check our Events page or pick up a map at any participating gallery on the night of the walk.

History

The First Friday Art Walk launched in the spring of 2005, just a year after Sequim Arts was incorporated. The initial walk included five galleries along Washington Street. Attendance that first evening was modest, maybe 80 people. But the energy was unmistakable. Word spread quickly, and within a few months, attendance had tripled.

By 2010, the walk had become the most reliably attended community event in Sequim. Galleries that had been considering closing their doors found a reliable monthly boost in foot traffic and sales. New galleries opened specifically because the Art Walk had proven that downtown Sequim could sustain an active gallery district.

Today, the First Friday Art Walk regularly draws 300 to 500 visitors per evening during peak months (May through October), with winter months seeing a loyal but smaller crowd. Over two decades, the event has contributed significantly to the economic and cultural identity of downtown Sequim.

For Gallery Owners

If you operate a gallery or venue in downtown Sequim and would like to participate in the Art Walk, contact us at [email protected]. Participation is free, and we handle the collective marketing, map printing, and event coordination. Requirements are simple: keep your doors open from 5:00 to 8:00 PM on the first Friday, and offer visitors something worth seeing.

Tips for Visitors

  • Parking: Free street parking is available throughout downtown. The lot behind the Sequim Civic Center is a good starting point.
  • Start anywhere: There's no official route. Start at whatever gallery is nearest and wander from there.
  • Talk to artists: Most creators are present at their exhibitions. They're happy to discuss their work, process, and inspiration.
  • Dinner nearby: Several downtown restaurants are within walking distance. Some offer Art Walk specials.
  • Bring a friend: The Art Walk is better shared. It's one of the best ways to introduce someone to the Sequim arts scene.

The Art Walk happens rain or shine, twelve months a year. Upcoming dates and featured exhibitions are listed on our events calendar. For broader context about Sequim's gallery district, see our Downtown Galleries guide.