Dear Allied Arts Community,

Five months ago, I stepped into the role of Interim Executive Director with a simple goal: listen first.

Since then, I’ve had conversations with artists, volunteers, business owners, teachers, performers, nonprofit leaders, parents, students, and longtime supporters across Whatcom County. We’ve hosted community discussions, shared ideas over coffee, and heard from people who love Allied Arts and want to see it thrive for the next generation.

One thing became clear: our community is looking for more ways to connect.

People want places to meet fellow creatives, discover opportunities, share ideas, learn new skills, bring their families, hear live music, make art, and feel part of something bigger than themselves.

So that’s where we’re headed.

This August, Allied Arts will begin testing a new chapter for our downtown space. Following our July exhibit, we’ll be rearranging the building to make room for more of what the community has asked for: workshops, performances, gatherings, exhibitions, creative retail, and new opportunities to connect. Some ideas will work beautifully. Others we’ll learn from and improve. That’s the exciting part.

Rather than trying to be everything to everyone, we’re focusing on what Allied Arts does best: bringing people together and helping creativity flourish across Whatcom County.

You’ll start seeing more collaborations, more opportunities to participate, and more reasons to stop by and see what’s happening. Whether you’re an artist, musician, writer, performer, maker, student, parent, retiree, arts supporter, or simply someone who enjoys being part of a creative community, we want you here.

The future of Allied Arts won’t be built by one person, one board, or one organization. It will be built by the people who care about the arts and believe they make our community stronger.

Thank you for being part of that future.

I hope to see you soon.

Meredith Patten
Interim Executive Director
Allied Arts of Whatcom County

Dear friends,

It is with a deep sense of reflection towards all we’ve achieved together over the past 17 years, and journey towards the future, that I share my resignation as full-time Executive Director of Allied Arts of Whatcom County.

Though I am relocating to Olympia to be closer to family, I leave with deep pride in what we’ve accomplished together and confidence in Allied Arts’ bright future.

Together, we’ve built programs like the Arts Supply Thrift Store, RARE: The Recycled Arts Resource Expo, and the Whatcom Arts & Culture Guide. We’ve expanded our education program, created new opportunities for veterans and people living with dementia, and launched festivals that celebrate our diverse cultural community. 

These accomplishments belong to all of us—staff, artists, board, volunteers, and supporters like you.

I will be here into February and look forward to the Membership Show that opens February 6th. 

The board is working on next-steps and will continue to keep our community informed as Allied Arts moves forward through this process.

Serving this organization and community has been one of the greatest honors of my life. 

With much gratitude and love,

Kelly Hart

Second Life Artistry is offering the sculptural form of blizzard bookbinding class on Thursday, January 15th from 6:00-8:30p.m., a lesson in handmade paper making on Thursday, February 26th from 6:00-8:30p.m., and an exploration into gelli plate printing on Thursday, March 19th from 6:00-8:30p.m. All classes take place at The Commons at First Presbyterian Church in Bellingham, WA between N. Forest Street and N. Garden Street.

See more detailed descriptions, as provided by Second Life Artistry:

Blizzard Book Binding – January 15, 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Create a Sculptural Book—No Glue, No Thread, Just Folds (Plus a Custom Hard Cover)

Want to see if first impulse painting is for you? Susan Kramer-Pope is hosting two informational events about an upcoming art class series at Jansen Arts Center on Friday, February 13th and Friday, February 27th from 1:00-2:00p.m.

For those interested in the class, registration is available here on the Jansen website for a series to take place on Saturdays March 7th, 14th, and 28th 11:30a.m.-2:30p.m.

Blurb courtesy of Liminal Coffee: https://www.liminalcoffeewa.com/

Western States Center is launching The Forum Fellowship, a paid 7-month program for cultural venue owners, operators, and leaders across the Pacific Northwest. The fellowship supports venues that keep communities gathering and connected, offering practical political education, community-safety tools, and a venue-based project with funding support. Most sessions are virtual, with one in-person gathering at the NIVA Conference in Minneapolis (travel covered).
Learn more + apply: www.westernstatescenter.org/forumfellowship.

2025 HF Program