AAWC, Author at Allied Arts of Whatcom County

Call to Artists: Veterans Art Garden

The Northern Nevada State Veterans Home is on the lookout for outdoor public artworks that spark joy, provide positivity, and incite imagination for their Veterans Art Garden. Professional artists are invited to apply after reading the list of criteria and restrictions, as well as evaluating the list of numbered locations for art placement. All information is available alongside the application here.

On the application, artists may select whether the art is proposed as a donation or not, and whether they have secured outside funding for the project. Artists are also encouraged to keep in mind the potential limitations of weather, space, et cetera in the proposal of their project. Applications are due October 31st, 2025.

The Veterans Art Garden is part of a collaboration with Makers Paradise in Reno, NV and Berkley, CA.

By AAWC|2025-08-13T10:44:22-07:00August 13th, 2025|Categories: Art News 360|

August Exhibition: Light & Shadow: Contemporary Landscape Photography
Gallery
August Exhibition: Light & Shadow: Contemporary Landscape Photography

AAWC Blog, Art News 360, Past Exhibits

August Exhibition: Light & Shadow: Contemporary Landscape Photography

Light & Shadow: Contemporary Landscape Photography

August 1 – 30

Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 11am – 4pm

Opening Reception: August 1, 6pm-9pm

1213 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225

Allied Arts of Whatcom County and Adventures Northwest Magazine present “Light & Shadow: Contemporary Landscape Photography,” an exhibition celebrating the profound beauty of our region through the masterful lenses of four distinguished photographers. John D’Onofrio, Alan Sanders, Lance Ekhart, and Brett Baunton offer viewers an immersive journey into the natural splendor of the Pacific Northwest. Each artist brings a unique perspective to capturing the essence of our diverse landscapes and wildlife, yet all share an exceptional talent for striking composition that transcends traditional photography.

“Light & Shadow” showcases works that go beyond mere documentation to evoke deep emotional responses, featuring images with a meditative quality that speaks to viewers regardless of their usual artistic preferences. Through their thoughtful framing, dramatic use of light, and patient observation, these photographers transform familiar local scenes into powerful visual poetry that highlights both the grandeur and subtle details of our natural environment. This exhibition invites visitors to rediscover the breathtaking landscapes we call home through the contemplative and evocative visions of these remarkable artists.

Join us August 23rd for a special presentation of Cascadia Dreams, a multimedia presentation in the Hotel Leo Ballroom, 1224 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham from 6-8. For tickets and more information, click here!

Allied Arts is a non-profit gallery, all proceeds from sales go towards supporting the arts in our community.

For more information visit www.alliedarts.org or contact Allied Arts at 360-676-8548 or gallery@alliedarts.org.

By AAWC|2025-09-16T13:56:01-07:00July 2nd, 2025|Categories: AAWC Blog, Art News 360, Past Exhibits|Tags: art show, gallery|

July Exhibition: July’s Puzzles in Pigment

July’s Puzzles in Pigment

July 3- 26

Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 11am – 4pm

Opening Reception: July 3, 6pm-9pm

1213 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225

Allied Arts of Whatcom County proudly presents “Puzzles in Pigment,” an exhibition celebrating the diverse language of abstract art through the work of five distinctive local artists. The show features Brett Sandström’s balanced compositions emphasizing mindfulness and simplicity alongside Jake Gombis’s large-format conversational paintings that explore both tangible and abstract relationships through pedestrian mediums. Visitors will also experience Lori VanEtta’s vibrant acrylic abstracts that breathe life into every space, and Marjie Miller’s encaustic pieces created using an ancient Greek technique of fused, melted wax. We regret that artist Mansur Ahmed cannot join us due to border travel limitations

“Puzzles in Pigment” invites art enthusiasts to immerse themselves in a colorful journey where each artist’s unique perspective creates a different piece of an abstract visual puzzle. From Sandström’s three decades of artistic exploration to Miller’s revival of classical methods, this exhibition showcases the rich diversity of abstract expression while highlighting the creative vibrancy that Allied Arts of Whatcom County cultivates in the region.

Allied Arts is a non-profit gallery, all proceeds from sales go towards supporting the arts in our community.

For more information visit www.alliedarts.org or contact Xandra Blackburn at 360-676-8548 x102 or gallery@alliedarts.org

By AAWC|2025-08-01T16:04:24-07:00June 20th, 2025|Categories: AAWC Blog, Art News 360, Past Exhibits|Tags: art show, gallery|

June Exhibition: Words of a Feather: 20th Sue C. Boynton Poetry Contest

June 6- June 28

Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 11am – 4pm

Opening Reception: June 6, 6pm-9pm

1213 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225

Step into a vibrant celebration where Whatcom County's most captivating poems come alive alongside stunning artwork they've inspired! For two decades, the Sue C. Boynton Poetry Contest has connected our community through the power of words—and this landmark anniversary exhibition showcases this creative partnership like never before.

Each year, distinguished judges carefully select exceptional poems from writers of all ages, transforming these literary gems into visual art for the entire community to enjoy on WTA buses. Now, Allied Arts brings this cherished tradition indoors with a special gallery exhibition featuring this year's winning entries alongside colorful artwork paired with memorable selections from past contests—creating a retrospective that honors both fresh voices and the rich poetic history of our community.

Visitors can immerse themselves in the complete experience through a commemorative anthology spanning ten years of winning compositions, alongside collections from celebrated local poets. Throughout June, the Whatcom Poetry Series will enhance your experience with engaging poetry readings and interactive workshops hosted in the gallery space.

Don't miss this extraordinary intersection of literary and visual arts that represents the heart and voice of our community. Come celebrate the creative spirit that continues to inspire Whatcom County!

You can find out more about the poetry contest at https://thepoetrydepartment.wordpress.com/contest/. For any questions about the contest, email BoyntonPoetryContest@hotmail.com. Donations are always necessary to keep the contest running year after year.

By AAWC|2025-07-02T15:32:27-07:00May 28th, 2025|Categories: AAWC Blog, Art News 360, Past Exhibits|Tags: art show, gallery|

2025 Neddy Artist Awards Exhibition: ENTROPY: For Those Who Dream Awake Between Dawns

Come absorb the work of eight Neddy-award-winning artists from Washington State! The Behnke Family Gallery on 1077 Lenora St. in Seattle, WA will host this fantastic exhibit from June 3-September 13, 2025. Gallery hours are Thursday-Saturday 12-5p.m. Be sure to stop by the opening reception on Tuesday, June 3rd from 6-9p.m.

Curator Berette S Macaulay describes the show’s essence:

“ENTROPY resists erasure. It asks what might be made from the broken, what remains after collapse, and who dreams between dawns while others look away. What binds these artists is not sameness, but a shared instinct to create in spite of—and because of—disorder. In the face of entropy, they speak, move, and make—not for permanence, but for collective transformation.”

Read more at Neddy’s website by clicking here.

By AAWC|2025-05-28T11:26:25-07:00May 23rd, 2025|Categories: Art News 360|

Bellingham TheatreWorks/Fairhaven Summer Repertory Theatre

From Bellingham Theatreworks:

In Search of a Common Language
This Summer, Bellingham TheatreWorks will produce three award winning and thought-provoking plays written by authors who explore how language can both set us apart and bring us together. Audience members will experience the intimacy of being in the round at the Firehouse Arts and Events Center, sitting with the actors while they explore a hilarious satire, a lyric look at the past, and a heartfelt comic hug. All three plays, THE FOREIGNER, THE LANGUAGE ARCHIVE, and TRANSLATIONS have multiple scenes where the characters desperately want to communicate with each other but are faced with a language barrier. This summer’s offerings promise to explore how language is deeply aligned with culture and identity, and how it can lead to unexpected interpersonal challenges.

Our company combines many members of the community: students and educators, parents and children, as well as guest artists from far beyond Bellingham Bay, all working together to bring these three plays to life.

The Foreigner by Larry Shue, Directed by Mark Kuntz

In a fishing lodge in rural Georgia, a tragically shy proofreader for a science fiction magazine tries to hide from life, only to put himself in the middle of a family squabble over money and power. This hilarious comedy earned multiple Obie and Outer Critics Circle awards as Best New American Play and Best Off-Broadway Production.

The Language Archive by Julia Cho, Directed by Cara Phipps

George is consumed with preserving and documenting the dying languages of the world. At home, however, despite all the languages he speaks, words fail him in his marriage with his wife. This heartfelt bittersweet comedy won the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize for new plays.

Translations by Brian Freil, Directed by Kayla Adams

A British soldier falls in love with an Irish peasant girl, with a backdrop of the British Army’s campaign to change the names of native Gaelic locations. This lyric play explores language as the soul of a nation, during a time of complicated social upheaval.

All plays run in repertory beginning June 24 and will continue 6 nights a week for 4 weeks. The entire season schedule with ticketing and attendance information, as well as complete descriptions of the plays and information about all of the artists, can be found at

June 24 – July 20, 2025
Six nights a week: Tuesday – Saturday @ 7:30, Sunday @ 5:00
www.BellinghamTheatreWorks.org
General $25/Students $20
Season Tickets $60
Call 360-389-2835 for information, ticketing and disability accommodation

By AAWC|2025-05-23T13:58:37-07:00May 23rd, 2025|Categories: Art News 360|Tags: art, Bellingham|

Call for Trompe l’oeil Muralist – “Peering Through the Window of Time” DUE JUNE 8th

From the City of Mount Vernon Parks and Recreation Department:

Call for Trompe l’oeil Muralist – “Peering Through the Window of Time”

Application Deadline: June 8, 2025

Artist Project Budget: $20,000

Purpose: To create a full-color realist depiction of the bustling history of Mount Vernon in the Trompe l’oeil technique of mural art.

Eligibility: This opportunity is open to all mural artists with ties to Washington State, who are 18 years of age and over, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, or physical or mental disability. Artist teams are eligible to apply. Mount Vernon Arts Commission members as well as selection panelists and their immediate families are not eligible for participation.

The application can be found as a PDF at this link here.

By AAWC|2025-05-09T14:36:23-07:00May 9th, 2025|Categories: Art News 360|Tags: call to artists, community, mural, painting, stay informed|

Cascadia NW Arts & Music Festival Celebrates 10 Years with New Nonprofit Status and Scenic Venue

From the Cascadia NW Arts & Music Festival:

Darrington, WA — May 9, 2025 — The Cascadia NW Arts & Music Festival proudly announces its 10th annual celebration, taking place June 20–22, 2025, at the picturesque Darrington Bluegrass Music Park. This milestone year marks the festival’s transition to a nonprofit organization under the Department of Bioregion, reinforcing its commitment to community, culture, NW art and the environment.

Nestled in the lush forests of the Pacific Northwest, with the majestic Whitehorse Mountain as a backdrop, the festival offers a unique blend of electronic and adjacent music, art, performances and community engagement. Attendees can immerse themselves in four distinct music stages, featuring a diverse lineup of DJs and performers that showcase the rich electronic and DJ culture of the region.

Beyond the music, the festival boasts a curated art gallery spotlighting Northwest and west coast artists, a vibrant vending village with local artisan fashion and wares, and a variety of food trucks offering regional delights. Families are warmly welcomed, with free admission for children aged 17 and under when accompanied by a parent, and yes we have a family Village (Ecotopia).

This year’s workshop series, themed “Healing Happens in Community,” invites participants to engage with Northwest-based teachers in sessions that promote wellness, connection, and personal growth. The festival’s commitment to inclusivity and community is further exemplified by its village model, featuring areas like Technosis, Mythica, Ecotopia, and the newly introduced Q Camp, celebrating LGBTQ+ culture.

“Cascadia is more than a festival; it’s a reflection of the bioregional identity of the electronic music and DJ culture and a testament to the power of gathering around music, art, nature and community,” says the festival’s organizing team. “Our new nonprofit status allows us to deepen our impact and continue fostering a space where community, art, music, and nature converge.”

Event Details:

Dates: June 20–22, 2025
Early Entry Passes (June 19th) and Car Camping Passes are also still available!
Location: Darrington Bluegrass Music Park, 42501 State Route 530 NE, Darrington, WA 98241
Tickets: Available now at www.cascadianw.org

About Cascadia NW Arts & Music Festival:

Founded in 2014, the Cascadia NW Arts & Music Festival is a three-day event celebrating the unique culture of the Pacific Northwest through electronic music / dj culture, artforms, and community engagement. Now operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit under the Cascadia Department of Bioregion, the festival continues to be a beacon for creativity, inclusivity, and environmental stewardship.

By AAWC|2025-05-09T13:40:30-07:00May 9th, 2025|Categories: Art News 360|Tags: local music, music|

Chase the Light: A Photo Event on June 14th & 15th

Photographic Center Northwest is promoting the photographic community with their yearly fundraiser and event, Chase the Light!

“The event kicks off with a 48-hour photo weekend on June 14th and 15th, where people around the globe make photographs on the same weekend. Every participant who submits will have their work reviewed by industry professionals and is guaranteed to have one photograph selected for a pop-up exhibition and print sale on Saturday, June 21st. Register today, and invite your friends and family. Chase The Light is a summer highlight for the photographic community, and we want you in on the fun!”

Gabriel’s Art Kids Announces Amazing Summer Art Camps!

SUMMER ADVENTURES AWAIT AT GABRIEL’S ART KIDS!

School’s almost out, which means it’s time to plan for creative summer fun! Our 2025 summer camps offer something special for every young artist ages 2.5-16. Reserve your spot today!

OUTDOOR ART CAMPS

Explore Bellingham’s most beautiful parks while creating nature-inspired art! Each themed week combines hands-on projects with environmental education for an unforgettable outdoor experience.

5 unique themed weeks including “Color Me Crazy” and “Summerween”

For grades K-6

9AM-3PM daily

Transportation between parks via GAK van included

CERAMICS CAMP

Watch your child transform clay into amazing creations at our professional sculpture studio! Each week features different ceramic techniques with expert guidance from Teacher Will.

Morning sessions (ages 8-12): 8:30AM-12:30PM

Afternoon sessions (ages 13-16): 1:30PM-4:30PM

All materials included: 25lb clay, 8-piece tool set, glazing & firing

Small class sizes for personalized attention

CREATIVE ARTS CAMP

Our vibrant theme-based program unleashes creativity through painting, sculpture, collaborative projects, and STEAM activities in a joyful, supportive environment.

Programs for all ages: Little Sprouts (2.5-4), Budding Artists (3.5-5), Art & Play Studio (K-5), and Art Immersion Studio (1-5)

Flexible scheduling with full/half day options

Weekly themes that spark imagination and curiosity

REGISTER NOW: www.gabrielsartkids.com/summer2025

By AAWC|2025-04-18T16:14:32-07:00April 18th, 2025|Categories: Art News 360|Tags: art, summer camp, youth art|

About AAWC