Art Collection and Shows

totem straight on

Since 1996, artists and art patrons have donated a variety of art to the Library. Usually, once a year, items from this permanent collection are put on display. The below brochure guides you through the collection inside and out.

Permanent Art Collection Brochure

In addition to our permanent collection, several times a year, the Library displays art by San Juan County artists-professional and amateur-in various themes and media.  The shows are organized by the Art Committee.

The Art Committee consists of three to seven people. Generally, committee members shall have experience in the field of art, but the committee may additionally include members of the Board of Trustees, or Friends of the Library.

Current Members

Diane Martinedale
Diane has been the Art Committee chair for 16 years, served on the WA State Arts Commission for 9 years and the FH arts commission for 5 years. For about 12 years, she worked very hard on various projects and exhibitions at the San Juan Islands Museum of Art including serving as the board president. Lately, she has had some spare time to invest in her quilting adventures.
Steve Bowman
Steve is happily retired, active in Rotary and helps organize food and drivers for our 36 Weekend program to provide food on weekends for food insecure kids. He also is on the board of the League of Women Voters.
Kathy Cope
Kathy has been a committee member for over 20 years. Kathy works as an Architectural Designer (CopeWorks LLC) and holds an Honors degree from Univ. of Puget Sound (Triple major in: Art, Asian Studies and Business).
Jennifer Herda
Jennifer has been on the Art Committee since her eldest was a toddler…Sidney is now 20! Time flies when viewing amazing art! Jennifer serves on the San Juan Island Service Scholarship board and is active with FHHS PTSA. Jennifer enjoys meeting the talented artists with each rotation of themes.
Rachel Dietzman
Rachel has been surrounded by art and artists all her life. In retirement, she discovered a love for hanging art, both at the SJC Fair Fine Arts Dept and the Mullis Center Senior Painters group. She is the latest addition to the Art Committee and honored to work with such dedicated, talented people.
Larz Anderson
Larz Anderson is a fine artist who lives and works on San Juan Island. He is primarily known for his set design work in television, theater, and special events. As a volunteer, he is active with San Juan Community theater, The San Juan Island Museum of Art, and the Library Art Committee.
Barbara Dunn
Barbara Dunn joined the Library Art Committee in 2025 and is enjoying meeting new people and viewing the various art pieces up close before hanging them in the library. Since retiring from Apple’s law department and moving to the island in 2003, Barbara’s been busy designing and building an ever changing garden with many interesting features. She has also served on various committees as a member of The San Juan Island Garden Club.

Donating Art

The San Juan Island Library District believes that the display of artwork in the building enhances the library environment for patrons. Therefore, to the extent that space is available, the Library encourages the exhibition of artwork which is of local and regional interest, and/or which enhances and complements the library’s other collections.

Upon recommendation by the Art Committee, the Board may choose to accept donated works of art. Once accepted by the Board, the donated art becomes the property of the San Juan Island Library District, which has sole authority thereafter re. its location, retention, and disposition.

Please contact Library Director Laurie Orton if you are interested in donating art to the Library.

Lorton@sjlib.org