Art News 360

Call to Artists: CASCADIA’s 3rd Annual Fine Art Exhibition

Applications for Festival’s 3rd Annual Fine Art Exhibition
Application deadline: February 20, 2026 by 5pm

Women Rising: Expanding Visions/Diverse Perspectives 2026

CASCADIA Women’s International Film Festival invites women artists to submit their artwork for consideration
in the 3 rd annual art exhibition in conjunction with CASCADIA’s film festival. CASCADIA provides a platform for
women directors to have their voices heard and their stories told through the medium of film.

Three years ago, CASCADIA expanded its programming to include women in the visual arts and is sponsoring
another exhibition this year. We invite you to submit artworks addressing a broad range of themes, issues, and
ideas. The exhibition, Women Rising: Expanding Visions/Diverse Perspectives will highlight the multiplicity
of women’s voices, styles, and interpretive approaches by artists living in the Pacific Northwest.

Barbara Matilsky, Curator/Art Historian, will select artworks for the exhibition.

The in-person film festival runs April 30-May 3. The selected art will be exhibited at the Dakota Art gallery from
April 3 until April 25. Deadline for submissions is February 20th.

Artists may submit up to 3 pieces for consideration. Submissions in all media will be considered with works that
hang on the wall no more than 24” wide and sculptures for pedestals maximum 18”x18”x18”.

EXHIBITION INFORMATION
Location: Dakota Arts, 1322 Cornwall, Ave. Downtown Bellingham, WA 98225
Show Hours: Monday- Saturday, 10am – 5pm
Gallery staffed by Dakota Art.
Exhibition opens: April 3. Exhibition closes: April 25.
Promotion: Press releases and announcements will be sent to local publications. Artists will supply
basic text and all photos.
Installation: Dakota Arts is responsible for exhibit installation.
Delivery & Pick Up of Artwork: Artists are responsible for delivering their artworks to the gallery and
picking them and ALL packing materials up at the end of the show. It is preferable to deliver and pick up
artworks in person but if shipped prepaid return shipping labels must be included with your artwork.
Reception: The exhibition will include an opening reception on April 3 in conjunction with the first Friday
Downtown Art Walk. This event will be open to the public with artists and CASCADIA staff and
volunteers in attendance.

STANDARDS AND EXHIBITION GUIDELINES
Artwork must be in good condition and ready for display – i.e. it comes with frames and hanging
devices as necessary.
Dakota Arts will receive a 40% commission on all work sold in the gallery.
FEES & HOW TO APPLY: There is no fee to apply.
Applicants must fill out the Exhibit online application form.
Go to: https://forms.gle/XwhC34CoyXS9fy7M6 to access.
Applications close Friday, February 20, 2026 at 5pm. Selected artists will be notified by March 6.

For more information email: bkbitner@hotmail.com. Please DO NOT contact Dakota Art with questions.

By AAWC|2025-11-29T15:07:27-08:00November 29th, 2025|Categories: Art News 360|Tags: art show, call to artists, festival|

December: The Artful Offering

December’s Artful Offering

December 5th- December 20th

Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 11am – 4pm

Opening Reception: December 5th, 6pm-9pm

1213 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225

The Artful Offering gallery exhibition invites you to discover the perfect gift this December—one that speaks to the soul and lingers long after the season fades. This carefully curated exhibition brings together four distinctive artists whose work transforms natural wonder and imaginative vision into tangible treasures. From Daelinar’s sustainable multimedia collages that breathe new life into leaves, bark, and reclaimed materials, to Forrest Chel Hull’s mesmerizing pyrography where original designs emerge through hand-burned wood and delicate watercolor accents, each piece offers an intimate connection between maker and material.

Joan Bennett’s pen and ink fantasies weave feline grace with fictional whimsy in crisp, elegant lines, while Lisa Abbott captures the spirited essence of wildlife through vibrant acrylics and mixed media explorations. Whether you’re seeking a conversation piece for your own collection or a meaningful gift that transcends the ordinary, The Artful Offering presents work that honors both craft and creativity, art that doesn’t just decorate a wall, but tells a story worth keeping.

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 us at 360-676-8548 or gallery@alliedarts.org.

By AAWC|2026-01-07T15:45:58-08:00November 26th, 2025|Categories: Art News 360, Past Exhibits|Tags: gallery, gallery show|

Inaugural Whatcom Arts Awards

Left to right: award recipients Gail Ridenour, Michelle DeAsis, Harold Niven, Pam Kuntz, Whatcom READS co-founder and former library director Linda Lambert. Photo by Rachel Simpson.

On Friday, Nov. 21, we presented the inaugural Whatcom Arts Awards to recipients: Harold Niven, Arts Legend; Gail Ridenour, Arts Advocate; Pam Kuntz, Performance Arts; Michelle DeAsis, Visual Arts; and Whatcom READS, literary arts. We express infinite gratitude for the incredible contributions these artists have made towards Whatcom County’s creative community. Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations, attendees of the awards event, and our sponsor Peoples Bank. Stay tuned for news about Whatcom Arts Awards 2026.

We would also like to extend our gratitude to Whatcom READS, Bellingham Symphony Orchestra, WWU College of Fine and Performing Arts, and Kuntz & Co.

By AAWC|2025-11-25T15:34:47-08:00November 25th, 2025|Categories: Art News 360|Tags: art, art contest, Bellingham, competition, events|

Sustainable Connections Launches Local Holiday Passport to Support Local Businesses

Press release courtesy of Sustainable Connections:

BELLINGHAM, Wash. (Nov. 25th 2025) — Sustainable Connections is launching the Think Local First Holiday campaign – including a Holiday Passport and local gift cards – to empower small businesses and encourage shoppers to make local purchases this holiday season.

The free and digital Holiday Passport is an opportunity for inspiration and fun during the holiday season. Shoppers earn points by visiting any of the 40+ participating businesses in Whatcom County. Points can be redeemed for prizes including movie tickets, baked goods, and local gift cards.

Think Local First Gift Cards are accepted at over 200 businesses in Whatcom County, making them a great option for hard-to-shop-for loved ones. They can be purchased and gifted online; the recipient can then redeem the gift at any of the participating businesses.

When dollars are spent at locally owned businesses, they stay in the local economy longer, helping the community thrive. For every $100 spent at a locally owned business, approximately $50 recirculates and remains in the local economy. Only around $15 remains in our community when it’s spent at a national chain.

These are some of the faces behind what it means to “shop local”. Yeager’s Sporting Goods is still family-owned after 104 years (and counting). Photo credit: FotoMataio

“When interviewing local business owners for our retail blog feature, what struck me most was the recurring mention of community, collaboration, and giving back as integral parts of their approach to business. Purchases at locally-owned businesses can be seen as interactions that strengthen community and build relationships, rather than simply transactions. I encourage everyone to support locally owned businesses this holiday season, and all year round,” says Molly Bressers, Think Local First program manager.

Head to thinklocalfirst.org to sign up for the passport, purchase gift cards, and learn more about the businesses that help our community thrive. Read our blog for a behind-the-scenes look at five local retail businesses and hear from small business owners about the importance of supporting local. By participating in the Think Local First Holiday Campaign this year, we invest in the community we love.

By AAWC|2025-11-25T14:56:19-08:00November 25th, 2025|Categories: Art News 360|Tags: community, stay informed|

Allied Arts Holiday Festival 2025 SPOTLIGHT with Margret Bikman on KMRE

KMRE · AlliedArtsHolidayFestival2025; AE-SPOTLIGHT

You can also listen on the radio at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19; and at noon Saturday, Dec. 13 on
KMRE 88.3 FM.

By Marketing|2025-11-18T14:36:18-08:00November 18th, 2025|Categories: AAWC Blog, Art News 360, Holiday Festival of the Arts|Tags: art show, gallery|

Trick-or-Treat on the Berm: Important Update!

from Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce:

We have been watching the weather closely, and due to ever-changing and unpredictable conditions, we have decided to pivot our event tomorrow. Instead of Trick-or-Treat on the Berm we will Trick-or-Treat in the Gym at the Birch Bay Activity Center.

We are thankful for the team at the Blaine-Birch Bay Park & Recreation District 2 for offering this option, so we didn’t have to cancel.

With 3m mph gusts expected, tents and outdoor setups could create a hazardous experience, so this moves ensures a safe and fun environment for everyone.

Date & Time: Saturday, October 25^th 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
New Location: Birch Bay Activity Center Gym @ 7511 Gemini Street

Thank you for understanding – we can’t wait to celebrate with you tomorrow!

By Marketing|2025-10-24T12:37:26-07:00October 24th, 2025|Categories: Art News 360, community news|Tags: Birch Bay, Halloween, Kids events|

Support Road2Home’s An Evening of Laughter for a Cause

Credit to Road2Home for announcing the exciting upcoming fundraiser event:

An Evening of Laughter for a Cause

Benefit Comedy Show to Support Road2Home

Bellingham, WA — Road2Home invites the community to join us for An Evening of Laughter for a Cause on Thursday, October 23rd at the New Prospect Theatre, located at 207 Prospect Street in downtown Bellingham. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the show begins at 7:00 p.m.

This special event features the brilliant comedic talents of Sam Miller, Monica Nevi, and John Gardner, bringing together an unforgettable evening of humor and heart. More than a comedy show, this is an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our community’s most vulnerable neighbors.

“I know firsthand how hard it is to live without a home, and I also know how much community support can change a life,” said comedian Sam Miller, who has personally experienced homelessness. “That’s why this show means so much to me. I want people to laugh, but I also want them to know they’re helping Road2Home give others the chance to re-build their lives.”

“Laughter is one of the simplest ways we connect,” said Clark Schofield, Interim Executive Director of Road2Home. “This show is a chance to share that joy and turn it into action. Every ticket helps us continue the work of supporting our neighbors experiencing homelessness and building pathways toward stability.”

Founded in 2019, Road2Home is a community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing housing instability by building community, fostering hope, and creating circumstances for individuals to thrive. We provide essential support to single adults experiencing homelessness or housing instability, many of whom are aged 55+ and medically fragile.

Tickets are available now at our Eventbrite page – https://bit.ly/4nCGFDi . Questions: Reach out to Mary at mary@road2home.org.

We are deeply grateful to our event sponsors Ram Construction and Barron, Quinn, Blackwood for making this evening possible.

By AAWC|2025-10-14T15:52:19-07:00October 14th, 2025|Categories: Art News 360|Tags: community, community event|

November Exhibition: Ethereal Horizons

November’s Ethereal Horizons

November 7- November 29

Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 11am – 4pm

Opening Reception: November 7, 6pm-9pm

1213 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225

Ethereal Horizons invites viewers into the liminal spaces where everyday observation transforms into artistic revelation. Four distinctive voices converge in this exhibition, each drawing from the intimate act of noticing—whether it’s the fleeting quality of morning light on familiar streets, the whisper of woodland paths, or the vibrant pulse of regional landscapes. Through diverse media spanning oils, watercolors, acrylics, ink, and mixed techniques, Christina Davis, Danielle Morgan-Scharhon, Julie Mortimer, and Mimi Ortiz translate the act of really seeing into visual poetry that hovers between representation and abstraction.

What unites these artists is their commitment to capturing not just what they observe, but the emotional resonance of place and moment. From Davis’s impressionistic meditations on daily life to Morgan-Scharhon’s documentary essence of forest walks, from Mortimer’s loose, vibrant landscapes alive with local creatures to Ortiz’s plein air celebrations of color and light, Ethereal Horizons showcases art rooted in presence and place. This is work that doesn’t shout—it whispers, invites, and ultimately reminds us that the extraordinary lives within our ordinary worlds, waiting only for us to pause and truly look.

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|2025-12-04T14:00:03-08:00October 14th, 2025|Categories: Art News 360, Past Exhibits|Tags: art, art show, gallery|

October Exhibition: Untethered Odyssey

October’s Untethered Odyssey

October 3- October 31

Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 11am – 4pm

Opening Reception: October 3, 6pm-9pm

1213 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225

Untethered Odyssey invites viewers on a journey through diverse artistic landscapes where meticulous craft meets unbounded imagination. This compelling group exhibition celebrates the courage to venture beyond familiar territories, exploring the delicate balance between control and spontaneity across four distinctive artistic voices.

The exhibition features Liz Cunningham’s exquisite beaded jewelry, lovingly constructed one tiny bead at a time into contemporary wearable sculptures; Jeana Esser-Lang’s bold and whimsical compositions that take fearless liberties with color and space; Libby Sullivan’s mixed media collages where mysterious women encounter otherworldly powers amid fragments of found materials; and Rock Morris’s philosophy of “perfect imperfection,” creating works of intense layering and strong lines that emerge from his creative subconscious to embody nature’s raw beauty.

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 us at 360-676-8548 x102 or gallery@alliedarts.org.

By AAWC|2025-10-21T15:40:06-07:00September 26th, 2025|Categories: AAWC Blog, Art News 360, Past Exhibits|Tags: art show, gallery|

September Exhibition: Raw Essence

September’s Raw Essence

September 5- September 27

Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 11am – 4pm

Opening Reception: September 5, 6pm-9pm

1213 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225

Step into the Allied Art’s “Unraveling the Narrative,” where each artist delves into themes of personal growth, vulnerability, surprise, self-discovery, and consciousness. The varied techniques and materials employed showcase a collective dedication to individual expression and artistic exploration. The opening reception for this show will include a stunning performance by singer Sheila Grady.

Baker Creek Ceramics

James Zamory creates work that is derived completely from byproducts of the restaurants – bones, wine, charcoal, vegetable scraps, etc. No paint is used. Each outcome includes a great deal of unexpectedness.

Kelly Liedtke’s drawings are pen and ink pointillism with colored inks. Each drawing takes between 20 and 40 hours to complete and is very detailed and uniquely nature themed.

Maddie Bishop’s work centers the complex inner world, communicating unique experiences of individual parts of the self. These works inform about the sacred space within in the aftermath of trauma.

Motoko Lewis feels that her true language is drawing. She believes that emotion reveals itself from the lines and smudges, creating an atmosphere beyond the paper.

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|2025-09-30T15:42:49-07:00September 16th, 2025|Categories: AAWC Blog, Art News 360, Past Exhibits|Tags: art show, gallery|