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.

Call for youth artists! This year we’re giving our youngest ocean lovers (ages 4-17) the opportunity to submit their artwork for our SeaFeast 2024 design contest featuring the theme From Sea to Me and what that means to you. Winning designs will be featured on this year’s t- shirt and poster, and all submitted art will be displayed during Bellingham SeaFeast on October 5 & 6, 2024 and on our website. This contest is supported by our partners BP, Launching Success, Marine Life Center, the Whatcom County Library System, Boys & Girls Clubs of Whatcom County and Blue Skies for Children.