The Waterfront Art Gallery has come full circle.

The member-owned cooperative relocated from its location in The Landing mall to the same building where it started 27 years ago under the Clallam Art League umbrella.

The gallery closed at the mall Dec. 24 and reopened at 120 W. First Street on Feb. 1.

"The timing was right, and we are delighted to be downtown again," said Anna Nichols, artist and gallery spokeswoman.

Renting the same building that the group leased almost three decades ago was a coincidence.

"We had a lot of feelers out and looked at five or six spots that just weren’t right," Nichols said.

"When we heard this (one) was available, we knew it was perfect."

The building is bright, warm and welcoming – a stark contrast to the dark and cold space a handful of members recall from the 1980s.

The structure, known to locals as the old Lee Hotel, was renovated about 10 years ago, Nichols said.

The Waterfront Art Gallery is a member-owned cooperative comprised of 31 artists – one-third of whom are from Sequim.

"We want to represent the whole North Olympic Peninsula," Nichols said. "We have members from Clallam Bay to Port Townsend."

The gallery maintains a membership of about 35 artists. Prospective members must submit work to be juried by a committee.

Members are given space to display their artwork. In return, each member must donate time at the store.

Works from all mediums are displayed: oils, pastels, acrylics, watercolors, collage, woodworking, pottery, ceramics, jewelry and more.

The artwork is rotated and changed regularly so visitors always are viewing new pieces.

Art from across peninsula

The Waterfront Art Gallery, 120 W. First St., Port Angeles, is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday.

The gallery features a hospitality corner with coffee, tea and hot chocolate at all times, as well as a place to sit and survey the art.

Members from as far west as Clallam Bay and as far east as Port Townsend have works on display.

A second Friday art walk takes place 5-8 p.m. every month. For more information, call 452-8165.

Reach Ashley Miller at

ashleyo@sequimgazette.com.