Just over 25 years ago, island residents Marlene Dickey, the late Sandy Sanders and others thought it would be a great idea for the island to have a holistic healing center. The Healing Arts Center took shape, renting part of the historic house on North Beach Road in Eastsound. The first Healing Arts fair, a fundraiser showcasing the talents of various practitioners, took place in 1988.

The Spring Healing Arts Fair is on Saturday and Sunday, April 27 and 28. This fundraiser, offered twice a year, lets clients try out the practitioners’ services at greatly discounted rates. Many styles of massage and bodywork as well as acupuncture are offered, and there may be a few surprise guest practitioners. Several sessions such as Thai massage are offered on a coupon basis for those who are busy on the weekend of the fair. Call the Healing Arts Center at 376-4002 or stop by 453 North Beach Road between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday to reserve an appointment.

The center has for years owned and occupied the entire building and is organized as a nonprofit dedicated to offering alternative modalities for health and well-being to the community. Practitioners donate their time to the biannual fairs, with the funding supporting the nonprofit and dedicated to the building.  More info on the center’s history can be found at orcashealingarts.org.