DOWNTOWN GALLERY
For 45 years, Allied arts of Whatcom County has played an integral part in enriching and developing the art scene in Whatcom County. The gallery, located at 1213 Cornwall Ave in downtown Bellingham, is an extension of our mission to create and foster an environment in which the arts are an important part of our community, and to support and encourage the arts and artists of Whatcom County.
Every month you can look forward to viewing a whole new collection of incredible art by both new and established artists. Each exhibit is a display of the widely diverse community of artists in our region, and we look for multimedia and multidisciplinary artists when we create the shows for each year to show the full range of what is possible.
Opening receptions are 6pm to 9pm and coincide with First Fridays hosted by the Downtown Partnership. They are a great opportunity to come meet the artists and patrons, discuss the love for the art we share, and purchase amazing pieces of creativity while enjoying a regular downtown tradition.
CURRENTLY SHOWING
October: Fire, Paint & Fantasy
Fire, Paint & Fantasy
October 2–31, 2026
Gallery Hours: Wednesday – Sunday 11am – 4pm
Opening Reception: October 2nd, 6pm-9pm
1213 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
This October, Allied Arts of Whatcom County invites the community to experience Fire, Paint & Fantasy, a juried exhibition that explores the beauty of imagination through the lens of nature, mythology, and craftsmanship. The exhibition will be on view October 2–31, 2026, with a free Opening Reception on Friday, October 2, from 6:00–9:00 PM at Allied Arts, 1213 Cornwall Avenue in downtown Bellingham.
For centuries, artists have looked to forests, folklore, and the natural world for inspiration. Fire, Paint & Fantasy continues that tradition, bringing together five regional artists whose work transforms familiar landscapes, plants, figures, and materials into places of wonder and discovery. Rather than escaping reality, these artists encourage viewers to see the magic already woven into the world around them.
The exhibition features paintings that blend portraiture with botanical symbolism, delicate handcrafted jewelry inspired by organic forms, richly detailed woodland illustrations, expressive figurative works, and dreamlike imagery that balances fantasy with lived experience. Although each artist works in a different medium, they share a remarkable attention to craftsmanship and a belief that storytelling can emerge through color, texture, pattern, and form.
Featured artists include Forrest Chel Hull, whose intricate woodburnings celebrate the hidden beauty of Pacific Northwest forests; Liz Cunningham, whose handcrafted jewelry reflects the elegance and complexity of the natural world; Mahsa Sakettabar, whose paintings weave themes of memory, culture, and symbolism into quiet moments of reflection; Matthew Crane, whose vibrant figurative paintings draw from mythology, identity, and imaginative storytelling; and Sierra James, whose expressive portraits bloom with botanical imagery and emotional depth.
Together, these artists remind us that wonder is not something reserved for fairy tales—it exists in forests, flowers, handcrafted objects, and the stories we continue to tell about ourselves and the world around us.
The exhibition and Opening Reception are free and open to the public. Artwork will be available for purchase, with proceeds supporting both the exhibiting artists and Allied Arts’ nonprofit mission to coordinate, connect, and strengthen Whatcom County’s creative community.
Annual Member’s Show – February 6th – February 28th, 2026
Allied Arts of Whatcom County hosted its 2026 Members Show in February of this year, and hosts this show annually. Participation is open to all current Allied Arts Members at any level of membership.
The Member’s Show features work from nearly 100 Allied Arts members, including professional artists, students, and new or emerging artists. Works presented ranges from traditional paintings to photography, contemporary sculptures and everything in between.
WHATCOM READS – MARCH 6-28, 2026
ALLIED ARTS’ ART CHALLENGE 2026
The Art Challenge offers artists of all ages and experience levels an opportunity to explore themes related to the Whatcom READS title and to present their work for public display. The theme for 2026 is Family: Formed, Found and Chosen, drawn from Solito: A Memoir by Javier Zamora. This program is presented in collaboration with Allied Arts of Whatcom County. Submission deadline is Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Participation is free of charge, and membership in Allied Arts of Whatcom County is not required. For details, visit the Allied Arts Art Challenge website or contact Allied Arts at 360-676-8548.
RECYCLED ART & RESOURCE EXPO – APRIL 3-25, 2026
RARE provides a platform for eco-friendly artists to showcase their art created from recycle materials. RARE also promotes art organizations and facilities that incorporate sustainability in their facilities and programs. One of our main objectives for this event is to educate the community on the role that the arts can play in the sustainability movement.
This year’s RARE event will provide an entertaining environment that showcases pieces from numerous, diverse artists using a variety of recycled materials for a month long exhibit at the Allied Arts Gallery. We invite Exhibiting artists with a passion for art created from recycled materials to become a part of RARE. Attendees are encouraged to visit our Allied Arts Recycled Thrift Store to get supplies to create their own recycled masterpieces.
RARE is made possible by many generous business partners.
Visiting from out of town? For some of our favorite lodging options click here.
May is Washington State Arts Education Month. Join us on the first Friday in May to kick off our celebration with the Bellingham Children’s Art Walk presented by Allied Arts of Whatcom County. For the first two weeks in May, over 50 downtown businesses will be exhibiting works by youth created in schools throughout Whatcom County.
The Arts are a required core academic subject under state law, but chronic underfunding of our public education system causes the arts to be provided inconsistently and sparsely. Allied Arts has one of the largest arts education programs in the state with 15 teaching artists providing Standards based arts programs throughout Whatcom County.
We welcome all to stroll through downtown area and delight in the works of the younger art community on display in the windows of local businesses and restaurants. Stop by the Allied Arts Gallery to get information about musicians, live performances as well as any other activities happening for the First Friday Art Walk.
What’s the Deal With: Children’s Art Walk? (cascadiadaily.com)
Help Spread the word!
- Help spread the word about this event
- With our poster.
- Share our Press Release for this event.
- CAW Map 2026
- Give your students an CAW 2026 Artist Statement Cards
- Give your students a participation bookmark