Upcoming Events

3 Sisters is getting ready for Farm Day 2020. We do the event every 5 years and open the farm up to the public to come enjoy a day on the farm. 3 Sisters Farm Day will be July 25th this year. We are so excited to have the public come see all of our animals and learn how we raise our animals. Something exciting about this year is that any local vendor that is offered at 3 Sisters Market…

You’ll photograph picturesque Mount Rainier National Park and the surrounding forests, alpine lakes, waterfalls, and meadows at the peak of wildflower season. Students will have plenty of time to practice on grand landscapes, alpine flower photography, and macro images. This workshop is based in Ashford, Washington where there will be in-class critiques and instructional sessions. Book your own lodging at Nisqually Lodge in Ashford, WA (888) 674-3554. Ask for the block of rooms reserved under David Cobb’s name. Summer Workshop:…

The Cider Toast is a unique experience for writers. It's part conference, with panels and speakers, focused on education and growth, because we writers know that there is always more to learn. It's part reunion, a chance for students, graduates, and instructors of the Northwest Institute for Literary Arts to reconnect, share, and enjoy each others' company. Come and join the fun!

The Pacific Northwest Conducting Institute  welcomes orchestra conductors from all parts of the world for the highly-esteemed Pacific Northwest Conducting Institute held August 3-8 in Langley. Internationally acclaimed conductor, lecturer and composer, Diane Wittry, will be leading the conducting sessions along with Dr. Anna Edwards, music director of Whidbey’s professional Saratoga Orchestra. The six day workshop provides a unique opportunity and experience for music educators, student conductors, as well as seasoned professionals and features generous amounts of podium time for…

The Pacific Northwest Conducting Institute  welcomes orchestra conductors from all parts of the world for the highly-regarded Pacific Northwest Conducting Institute held August 3-8 in Langley. Internationally acclaimed conductor, lecturer and composer, Diane Wittry, will be leading the conducting sessions along with Dr. Anna Edwards, music director of Whidbey’s professional Saratoga Orchestra. The culmination of the six-day workshop will be a Summer Festival Concert held on Saturday, August 8, 2:30pm at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts.  PNWCI's 2020 Conducting…

The Pacific Northwest Conducting Institute  welcomes orchestra conductors from all parts of the world for the highly-regarded Pacific Northwest Conducting Institute held August 3-8 in Langley. Internationally acclaimed conductor, lecturer and composer, Diane Wittry, will be leading the conducting sessions along with Dr. Anna Edwards, music director of Whidbey’s professional Saratoga Orchestra. The culmination of the six-day workshop will be a Summer Festival Concert held on Saturday, August 8, 2:30pm at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts.  PNWCI's 2020 Conducting…

Course Description:  Boro mending, kantha cloth, the Quilts of Gee’s Bend. Each of these evokes images of old, worn fabrics, simply but beautifully stitched for a new purpose out of need and salvaged cloth. Born of necessity in diverse cultures worldwide, contemporary fiber artists can learn much from these traditions both technically and aesthetically. In this workshop we explore the traditions that created these textiles and then look to them for inspiration in creating new works of fiber art. Beginning…

The landscape tradition is rooted in plein air and direct observation. Yet, nearly every contemporary landscape painter relies on photo reference to some degree. The question is: what are the best practices when working with photos? Do we accept whatever composition the camera records? Do we try to copy the colors exactly as they appear in the photo? In this workshop, the answer to those questions is “no.” You’ll learn ways of working with color and composition that will help…

This workshop is designed for students who wish to explore expressive drawing and acrylic painting with an emphasis on creative thinking. Students will discover fundamental techniques through painting exercises merged with an innovative approach to color harmony, compositional balance, and spontaneity. Extensive observation of contemporary master expressionist artists will be introduced for inspiration.

Some of the oldest methods of patterning cloth are the resist dyed techniques. These include batik, which uses paste or hot wax, and the shibori technique which was brought to prominence in the West during the ‘60s through the use of Chinese tie-dye. ‘Tie-dye’ techniques are to be found the world over including India, Japan, Indonesia, Peru, and Africa – and they are now collectively referred to as shibori – the word the Japanese gave to their traditional textiles which…

Enhance your art practice in inspiring and unique ways. Join us do an exciting three day exploration into the world of botanical printmaking and collage; accessible art forms whether you’re a newcomer or seasoned artist. On the first day, we’ll layer lines leaves and colors on a GeliArts gel plate in order to create a series o beautiful and unique handprinted collage papers. The following day, we’ll immerse ourselves in the world of botanical contact printing (also called eco printing),…

Enhance your art practice in inspiring and unique ways. Join us do an exciting three day exploration into the world of botanical printmaking and collage; accessible art forms whether you’re a newcomer or seasoned artist. On the first day, we’ll layer lines leaves and colors on a GeliArts gel plate in order to create a series o beautiful and unique handprinted collage papers. The following day, we’ll immerse ourselves in the world of botanical contact printing (also called eco printing),…

Gather with Roxanne Evans Stout on Whidbey Island in the spring and create a book inspired by the landscapes and seascapes of the Pacific Northwest! Roxanne will teach you her very favorite mixed media techniques and guide you in filling page after page with textures and colors that you love that symbolize simple landscapes. You will be working on watercolor paper as our your pages, but also be glazing and mark making on deli-paper and using these colorful creations for…

Photography and typography are linked in communicating your visual story. Whether they are integrated together in a photograph or they are separate components in the presentation of your work through a book, website, exhibition, artist statement, or even a business card, they both need to carry out your visual aesthetic and enhance the connection between one another. This course will introduce the various relationships of text and image with historical and contemporary references of photography and typography along with an…

In this 4-day (Thursday-Sunday) workshop with award winning photographer Susan Burnstine you will explore your Personal Story. Photographic images are deeply rooted in personal emotion. This is the case whether they are found or created, and it is the case regardless of genre—be it landscape, still life,  portraiture, nature, abstraction, photojournalism, self-portrait, or documentary.  As photographers who strive to convey our visions in a true, honest, and consistent manner, we establish an emotional connection to each image we create. Under…

Join mixed media artist Caitlin Dundon for a fabulous, energizing and inspirational three-day workshop for all skill levels where there are no mistakes. Beginners will benefit from basic processes of learning how to start a painting with a variety of backgrounds from white gesso, black gesso, multi-colored painting as well as learning the basics of working with acrylic gel for collage. Practice begins on watercolor paper and then proceeds with canvas or wood panel as the weekend progresses creating an…

This workshop in color photography will emphasize developing one’s creative eye. Guidelines and strategies will be provided to cultivate awareness, presence, and imagination. We’ll also show how an appreciation of ‘zen in the arts’ can benefit the creative process. And learn the ways simplicity, minimalism, and slowing down can lead to a deeper connection with your photographic vision. Field excursions with the instructor will be conducted in Coupeville & vicinity. These field sessions will provide an opportunity for classroom evaluation.…