Demand and interest in driftwood art remains high, say members of the Olympic Driftwood Sculptors, it’s just a matter of finding more passionate people to keep creating.

“Downed wood is a big deal,” club instructor Tuttie Peetz said. “We sold (more raw wood in 2023) than we’ve ever sold before at a show in our boutique.”

Whether it’s to create a new driftwood art piece, be a complementary element to another art piece, or explore the hobby, each piece can go a lot of directions, said club president Kathy Bachman.

“With driftwood, you just need to listen to the wood,” she said.

There will be several opportunities this weekend to see and hear how local artists create driftwood art at the Olympic Driftwood Sculptors’ annual Driftwood Show on May 18-19 at the Dungeness River Nature Center, 1943 W. Hendrickson Road.

The show runs 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and noon-4 p.m. Sunday. It’s free to enter, with donations accepted to support college scholarships and rental costs.

Organizers estimate at least 50 driftwood art pieces will be display for the show along with club members hosting demonstrations, the boutique featuring driftwood arts and crafts, and raw wood for sale.

The Olympic Driftwood Sculptors have been sanding, scraping, and polishing driftwood since establishing the club in 2008.

The show initially started at the River Center before shifting to Sequim Middle School during Sequim Lavender Festival. However, once events moved away from Fir Street to Carrie Blake Community Park, Peetz said foot traffic diminished.

Now, organizers have moved back to the River Center to what they feel is a great spot since its remodel in recent years.

“It’s a great place to display the wood for its environment,” Peetz said.

Bachman adds that the space is great because it’s more intimate but the surroundings enhance it, too.

With nearly two full decades as a club, Peetz feels the club encourages creativity and taking new directions with driftwood.

“(It’s become) more creative over the years,” Peetz said. “People think of new things all the time you can do with wood, like putting dried kelp with wood.

“It lights a fire under someone else and they do something different, too.”

Peetz said she’s tried to emphasize with club members “the object is to be as creative as possible and have fun with it.”

“The fun part is the important part,” Bachman said.

Along with driftwood art, she makes wiretap jewelry and finds it involves a lot of close-up work that can lead her to feel tense, whereas driftwood art can be more relaxed.

“I can just zone out,” Bachman said. “It helps me relax. I even used to sand (driftwood) at the water.”

“Its very therapeutic,” Peetz said.

More about ODS

Like many clubs and organizations, Olympic Driftwood Sculptors had about 80 members prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, but now has about 30 members. All-ages and abilities are welcome, Peetz said.

She also offers four-week classes, depending on interest. The club meets from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month at Trinity United Methodist Church. 100 S. Blake Ave. Its next meeting is June 5.

The club also offers a college scholarship to a local graduating senior going into the arts. Those interested, can email Kathy Bachman at katabach49@gmail.com or olympicdriftwoodsculptors@gmail.com.

For more about the club, visit olympicdriftwoodsculptors.org.

Driftwood Art Show

Who: Olympic Driftwood Sculptors

When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, May 18; noon-4 p.m. Sunday, May 19

Where: Dungeness River Nature Center, 1943 W. Hendrickson Road

Admission: Free

Show notes: Cameras welcome, raw wood for sale, boutique, demonstrations, and a sculpture raffle for college sponsorships

Photo courtesy Kathy Bachman/ This year’s Driftwood Art Show, pictured in 2023, from the Olympic Driftwood Sculptors in the Dungeness River Nature Center features about 50 art pieces on May 18-19.