In September, Siri Dow became the 10,000th visitor to the San Juan Islands Museum of Art since its opening on Feb. 14. Siri is studying the sculpture of ceramic artist Kathy Venter whose exhibition Immersion is currently on display the Atrium Gallery.

More than 600 students in over 30 groups have visited the museum since it opened its new building on Spring Street. These museum visits supplement their classroom work. This number includes classes from Lopez and Orcas, and from public and private schools, the mainland and kids’ camp classes such as Island Rec, and the French Camp on Canoe Island.

For years, IMA has worked to help fill the budget gaps left in arts education in our public schools. Arts education has always been part of our mission where IMA creates arts exposure and educational opportunities and provides students, residents and guests with the language of expression making us advocates for our most creative selves, the environment and our communities.

IMA has a dedicated volunteer, Linda Marsaudon, who develops study materials and prepares the students before they come to the museum. She returns to the classroom after the tour to complete the educational adventure and expanding the arts experience.

IMA is happy to facilitate student tours and adult group tours. Call 370-5050 to arrange a tour.

Of the 10,000 visitors, roughly 50 percent of the museum visitors have been county residents and 50 percent are visitors. IMA is overjoyed to help contribute to the success of Friday Harbor as a tourist destination.

Venter’s work will be exhibited until Dec. 14, Friday-Monday from 11-5. Admission is free. The other two galleries feature “Michael Dalley: Early Dawn to Late Twilight” and “Joe Miller: Unlike Earth.”

Exhibitions since the opening have been “Illuminated Glass” by William Morris 1998-2013, GLASS 3, “Spineless” by Susan Middleton, “The Twist of Rist: Lasting Impressions” by Luigi Rist, and Matthew Gray Palmer’s “Liminal Currents: Exploration of an Empathetic Umwelt.”