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.