The Washington state Ferry Kaleetan hums as it glides through the Salish Sea, and with each passing minute San Juan Island grows on the horizon. Then Friday Harbor comes into view, nestled into the coastline like a watercolor. The First Friday Art Walk has become Friday Harbor’s newest tradition, as locals and mainlanders buzz about, joining in the artistic revival that’s taken place over the past year.

The First Friday Art Walk took inspiration and some determination to get it off the ground. The spark came from artist Kristen Reitz-Green, who arrived from Vashon Island with the vision to celebrate art once a month. With the help of fellow creatives, the Art Walk blossomed into a fixture, drawing people to wander the streets of the picturesque little town, strolling through the galleries. Local artists embraced it, lighting up First Fridays with an energy the town didn’t know it needed until it arrived.

We begin at Windy Gallery, where Reitz-Green and other women artists April Randall and Pamela Hoke exhibit their work. We hurriedly scoop up one of Randall’s tiny landscapes. The mood is convivial, collegial. Over wine they direct us on our path. Aimee Dieterle’s San Juan Sunset captures the island magnificently. Tourist kitsch is nowhere to be found.

Flock by Jaime Ellsworth is on display at Windy Gallery.

Photo courtesy of Windy Gallery

Reitz-Green began her San Juan chapter at the Atelier, so off we go. The aeronautic animals from Cassidy MacQueen and sculptures by Kristen Douglas-Seitz make a bold impression. Live music and complimentary wine and snacks abound.

The San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA) stands as a testament to the island’s commitment to fostering creativity and community engagement. The current exhibit brings together three artists with unique perspectives on the Pacific Northwest. Andy Eccleshall’s paintings capture Western Washington’s shifting moods; Kenda Francis’ CRUSH series blends graffiti and acrylics to depict wildlife’s endurance; and Niki Keenan’s Meeting Place explores connections between the celestial and terrestrial. Up next, SJIMA will revisit its landmark 2017 Emergence exhibition, exploring nature’s resilience through the eyes of contemporary First Nations artists.

Dana Alkebu-Lan of Luminous Gallery

Photo by Chase Anderson

Luminous Gallery is next on the unofficial tour. It’s equal parts gallery and event space, where local weaver Dana Alkebu-Lan’s intricate, three-dimensional wall hangings add rich texture to the room. Her work draws inspiration from the natural beauty of the San Juan Islands, weaving subtle, intuitive designs that invite a moment of softness and quiet reflection. The space itself feels like it might breathe, always transforming, alive with color and movement.

Dana Alkebu-Lan’s Luminous Gallery, feels like it might breathe, always transforming, alive with color and movement.

Photo by Chase Anderson

We stop by Fern, where artist Alisha Merrick creates bold, kiln-fired glass enamel pieces on copper, featuring striking color combinations and clean, simple designs. At every visit, locals direct us, excitedly, to the next must-see gallery experience.

The final stop on the gallery crawl is Waterworks, the throbbing heart of Friday Harbor’s revitalization. Recently scooped up by islander Nate Fihn, it’s become the place where creativity meets chaos, in the best possible way. On any night, the space might buzz with an open mic night, a DJ set, or a live band shaking the walls with reckless enthusiasm. The art here is bold and loud, just like the party itself. It’s not the kind of place where you sip quietly and contemplate. Instead, you’re part of something — caught up in the excitement, the noise, and the pure energy of people coming together.

Waterworks comes alive with DJ sets, and the art is bold and loud.

Photos by Ang S.

When it’s time to rest, the Tucker House Inn is the perfect retreat within walking distance. It’s a charming B&B, and book the Roche Harbor Suite if possible, complete with its own two-person hot tub that begs for a late-night glass of wine. Breakfast arrives each morning, set outside your door, with delicious egg and pastry dishes.

Surrounded by the sea and filled with farmland, San Juan Island is loaded with foodie options. For a splurge, make your way to Coho, where seafood arrives decadent and unrepentant — cioppino that tastes like the ocean’s best day and steelhead trout that melts on the tongue. For more island farm-to-table the locals love Tenth House, with handmade pastas and inventive salads that make you feel virtuous and spoiled all at once.

Tenth House serves up island farm-to-table favorites, with handmade pastas and inventive salads.

Photo by Hallie McGee

Before leaving the island, duck into The Waiting Room on Spring Street, open from 4 p.m. to “late-ish” every day. Owned by Roberto Moya, it’s a quirky, cozy space where Almodóvar movies flicker on the screen and the walls are covered in Moya’s own art. Think East Village in the ‘90s. The wine list leans toward interesting finds, and the craft beer lineup is a parade of hidden Pacific Northwest treasures. It’s the perfect artistic nightcap for the weekend.

Somehow, Friday Harbor feels different these days. It’s more alive, more daring. The First Friday Art Walk is just the excuse you need to hop the ferry and see it all for yourself. You will leave inspired and, preferably, with some newly acquired art.