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Summer 2026 Family Art Days Begins June 20 at SJIMA

Free Saturday art classes for kids and families, June 20 through August 22 — registration opens June 6.


Families and children creating art together at outdoor tables in the orchard at SJIMA, surrounded by colorful craft materials, for Family Art Days on San Juan Island.

Summer on San Juan Island just got more creative. SJIMA's beloved Family Art Days program returns for Summer 2026 with eight free Saturday classes designed for kids ages 5 and up — each one a hands-on adventure in making, imagining, and exploring. Classes run noon to 2:00 PM at the museum, 540 Spring Street in Friday Harbor, beginning June 20.


Whether your child loves to build, paint, sew, or simply create, this summer's lineup has something to spark every young creative. And as always, every class is free to the community — because art is for everyone.


Classes fill quickly — browse the full lineup now by clicking any class title or image, and mark your calendar for June 6 when registration opens at sjima.org/familyartdays.


This Summer's Classes



Colorful driftwood wall hanging decorated with ribbons, lace, shells, and beads — a Family Art Days kids craft class at SJIMA on San Juan Island.

Kick off the summer with instructors Francie Hansen and Sue Evans! Kids will weave ribbons, shells, lace, feathers, and found treasures onto driftwood to create a one-of-a-kind colorful wall hanging. No two will be alike.



Child's hands weaving a dreamcatcher from a bent cedar branch with a woven web and bead center — a Family Art Days kids craft class at SJIMA on San Juan Island.

Instructor Alice Hibberd guides participants through the mindful art of dreamcatcher-making. Kids will gently knead a cedar branch into a hoop, weave a sacred web, and adorn their creation with beads, feathers, and other decorations — while learning about this meaningful traditional craft.


July 4 — We're taking the week off to watch fireworks! SJIMA is closed for Independence Day — classes resume July 11.



Children wearing handmade costume hats and capes — a queen, pirate, and royal — crafting together at a table during a Family Art Days class at SJIMA on San Juan Island.

Back with Francie Hansen and Sue Evans for a costume-making extravaganza! Kids will craft a hat, a cape, and a character — then step into the role of royalty, pirate, or superhero in this imaginative, dress-up adventure.




Hand-drawn and colored original board game with painted rock game pieces, a cardboard dice, and hand-written game cards — a Family Art Days kids craft class at SJIMA on San Juan Island.

Screen-free and seriously fun — Francie Hansen and Sue Evans lead kids through designing and building their very own original board game. Devise the theme, craft the pieces, invent the rules, and take home a game your whole family can play.




Child's hands drawing colorful comic-style characters and scenes on paper with crayons and colored pencils — a multimedia zine Family Art Days class at SJIMA on San Juan Island.

Guest instructors Claire Waterman and Emerald Vernon-Lapow from Alchemy Arts Center lead this comic book-inspired class. Kids will draw, collage, and paint their way through a mini zine — combining pencils, pens, and mixed media to tell their own visual stories.



Watercolor botanical paintings of flowers and ferns alongside fresh flowers, pine cones, and painting supplies — a Family Art Days kids art class at SJIMA on San Juan Island.

Alchemy Arts Center's Sophia Larsen and Emerald Vernon-Lapow guide young artists on a nature walk around SJIMA to gather leaves, flowers, and flora — then bring those findings to life through sketching and watercolor painting.




Two girls proudly modeling colorful wearable costumes made from recycled materials and repurposed clothing — a Trashion Fashion Family Art Days class at SJIMA on San Juan Island.

Francie Hansen and Sue Evans are back for one of the most wearable art classes of the summer! Kids transform discarded clothing and recycled materials into a showstopping costume!




August 15 — No FAD class this week — the whole island is at the San Juan County Fair, and so are we! Find the SJIMA booth, say hello, and we'll see you back at the museum on August 22 for our final class of the summer. Visit the Fair →



A hand-sewn fabric puppet made from colorful scrap fabric patches, surrounded by buttons, thread, scissors, and sewing supplies — a Family Art Days kids craft class at SJIMA on San Juan Island.

Closing out the summer, Alchemy Arts Center's Sophia Larsen and Emerald Vernon-Lapow teach basic hand-sewing techniques as kids stitch together scrap fabric — and any special materials they bring from home — into a one-of-a-kind puppet.




About Family Art Days

Family Art Days is a free, hands-on art education program that gives children ages 5 and up the opportunity to create art projects alongside an adult family member, friend, or mentor. Classes are taught by local artist members of SJIMA and visiting guest instructors, and are designed to inspire creativity and connect families with the arts on San Juan Island. All materials are provided.


Classes are limited to ensure every child gets personal attention — registration opens June 6, so visit sjima.org/familyartdays and be ready to sign up the moment it goes live.


SJIMA is located at 540 Spring Street in Friday Harbor and is open Friday through Monday, 11 AM–5 PM. Beginning June 11, summer hours expand to Thursday through Monday.



Thank You to Our Sponsors

Family Art Days is made possible through the generous support of the Honeywell Foundation, Torrance Foundation, Apex Foundation, and Smith Foundation, as well as individual supporters Jay & Suzy Wakefield and Alan Roochvarg & Lynn Weber/Roochvarg. Their commitment to community arts access makes this free program possible season after season.



Free admission. Ages 5 and up. One supervising adult required per child. Space is limited — registration opens June 6 at sjima.org/familyartdays.


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