Submitted by San Juan Islands Museum of Art

Family Art Days are a fun time for families of all ages. Everyone is inspired by imaginative topics such as flora, fauna and fungi; creating natural images on sun print paper; and drawing from nature based on Maria Sibylla Merian’s work.

The first class is called “From Birds to Flying Machines,” which is inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci designs, and runs from 1-5 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 12 at the San Juan Islands Museum of Art at 540 Spring St. All workshops are free for families and children ages 12 and under.

The workshops continue each Saturday until March 2 and are sponsored by Suzy Wakefield and the Community Foundation of San Juan Island. King’s Market, Nana’s Holiday House, Mystical Mermaid and Jeanne Earnhart also make the free classes possible.

Visitors may choose to make a reservation at the front desk during regular hours or call 360-370-5050. Trained instructor Lana Hickman creates these workshops, especially for residents and visitors. During her imaginative classes, everyone learns more than art techniques.

The full schedule is as follows:

Jan. 12, “From Birds to Flying Machines,” with mixed media and origami. Inspiration: Leonardo Da Vinci.

Jan. 19, “ Exploring Shapes, Textures and Colors in Painting and Colors.” Inspiration: John James Audubon’s depictions of birds.

Jan. 26, “Flora, Fauna and Fungi: Drawing from Nature.” Inspiration: Maria Sibylla Merian.

Feb. 2, “Creating Natural Images on Sun Print Paper.” Inspiration: Anna Atkins botanical cyanotypes.

Feb. 9, “Discover and Make Fossils.” Inspiration: Mary Anning’s finds in Jurassic marine fossil beds in the cliffs along the English Channel at Lyme Regis.

Feb. 16, “From Beetles to Butterflies: Multimedia Exploration of Patterns.” Inspiration: Illustrators of bugs.

Feb. 23, “Paleoart from Cave Paintings to Sticks and Stones.” Inspiration: Andrew Goldsworthy.

March 2, “Making Your Own Camera Obscura in a box.” Inspiration: Johannes Vermeer.

Enjoy the exhibit “Celebration for the Community” at the museum until Jan. 21, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday-Monday. The exhibit honors the art of Mary Ann Rock and Sam Connery as well as exhibiting creations from Spring Street International School students. Admission is free.

Call Diane Martindale at 360-370-5814 or diane.martindale@rockisland.com if you have questions.