Whatcom READS Annual Writing Challenge
Whatcom READS invites writers of all ages and experience levels to submit original work for its annual writing challenge, Whatcom WRITES. This year’s prompt is legacies, which is inspired by Whatcom READS 2024 featured title, Red Paint: The Ancestral Autobiography of a Coast Salish Punk by Sasha taqʷšəblu LaPointe. Submission deadline is Oct. 15. To learn more and to submit work, visit whatcomreads.org/whatcom-
Top entries are selected for publication in the Whatcom WRITES anthology and contributors are invited to read at a public presentation. The anthology is available for purchase at Village Books and to check out from local libraries. Entries received are judged on a rubric that includes originality, design and creativity, demonstrated writing skills, and appropriateness to contest theme.
Winner of a 2023 Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association award, Red Paint traces LaPointe’s personal story of trauma, healing and the search for home. The book presents a wide range of discussion and event opportunities leading up to the author’s visit in March 2024. Visit the Whatcom READS website, whatcomreads.org, and social media pages for updates and to get involved.
Community members may borrow Red Paint as a book, eBook or eAudiobook from local libraries or purchase it from Village Books, which donates a percentage of each sale to Whatcom READS.
About the author: Sasha taqʷšəblu LaPointe is from the Upper Skagit and Nooksack Indian Tribes. Native to the Pacific Northwest, she draws inspiration from her coastal heritage as well as her life in the city. She holds a double MFA in creative nonfiction and poetry from the Institute of American Indian Arts. Her work has appeared in The Rumpus, Yellow Medicine Review, Hunger Mountain and elsewhere. She lives in Tacoma, Wash. Her critically acclaimed memoir Red Paint: The Ancestral Autobiography of a Coast Salish Punk was published by Counterpoint Press on March 8, 2022. Her collection of poetry, Rose Quartz, was published by Milkweed on March 7, 2023. Counterpoint Press will release her collection of essays as Thunder Song in March 2024.
About Whatcom READS: Northwest Washington’s premier annual literary event, Whatcom READS celebrates reading, readers and strong communities through the shared experience of one book. Now in its 15th year, Whatcom READS is presented by all the public and academic libraries in Bellingham and Whatcom County – Bellingham Public Library, Bellingham Technical College, Northwest Indian College, Western Washington University, Whatcom Community College and Whatcom County Library System. Village Books is Whatcom READS’ community partner. Learn more at whatcomreads.org.
We are delighted to announce that the pilot program cycle for our 
Jacquie Bresadola, of 
Steven “Ray” Raymond taught Slab to Fab: An Artistic Interpretation on Wood Finishing. Throughout three classes, students learned the significance of wood finishing to protect and enhance the beauty of raw wood surfaces. Ray taught his students how to transform raw wood using basic finishing techniques like sanding, distressing wood, preparing stains and applying natural finishes like Shellac and Beeswax.
In the Watercolor Landscape Painting & Introduction class, long-time local artist Michael Heath helped students discover the magic of watercolor painting by demonstrating composition and layout and teaching color theory and value studies. Participants learned different watercolor techniques like mixing color, wet on wet, washes and glazing using just three brushes and a limited color palette.
For over 40 years, Allied Arts of Whatcom County has been a leader in fostering and supporting the local arts scene and serves more than 50,000 people annually. Allied Arts improves the cultural health and vitality of the community through community events involving visual artists and musicians, sponsorship of exhibits and programs focused on local artists, extensive arts education in local schools and public advocacy for the arts.
