January: Color & Energy

Color & Energy 

January 9th – January 31st , 2026 

 

Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 11am – 4pm 

Opening Reception: January 2nd, 6pm-9pm 

1213 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225 

Color & Energy celebrates the unbridled joy of creation—where intuition meets canvas and spontaneity trumps perfection. This exhibition pulses with vibrant abstraction, warm-against-cool color play, and the beautiful accidents that happen when artists surrender to process. It's art as resistance, as discovery, as pure sensory delight. 

Four distinctive voices converge in this show: Andi Date layers color and collage into abstract paintings that transform memory into wonder, choosing joy as an act of defiance. Brian Simpson performs with watercolors, acrylics, pencil and charcoal, orchestrating temperature contrasts that sing. Jennifer Hall captures everyday beauty through brushstrokes that know exactly when to stop, trusting paint and canvas to guide her hand. Lori VanEtta crafts vibrant puzzles in acrylic, where color and play intersect in surprising, exquisitely composed explosions. Together, they invite you to feel first, think later, and embrace the gorgeous unpredictability of making. 

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 |2026-02-05T15:54:18-08:00December 4th, 2025|Categories: AAWC Blog, Past Exhibits|Tags: , , |

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 |2025-11-29T15:07:27-08:00November 29th, 2025|Categories: Art News 360|Tags: , , |

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

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

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

August Exhibition: Light & Shadow: Contemporary Landscape Photography

 

Light & Shadow: Contemporary Landscape Photography 

August 1 – 30

 

Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 11am – 4pm 

Opening Reception: August 1, 6pm-9pm 

1213 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225 

 

Allied Arts of Whatcom County and Adventures Northwest Magazine present “Light & Shadow: Contemporary Landscape Photography,” an exhibition celebrating the profound beauty of our region through the masterful lenses of four distinguished photographers. John D’Onofrio, Alan Sanders, Lance Ekhart, and Brett Baunton offer viewers an immersive journey into the natural splendor of the Pacific Northwest. Each artist brings a unique perspective to capturing the essence of our diverse landscapes and wildlife, yet all share an exceptional talent for striking composition that transcends traditional photography. 

 

“Light & Shadow” showcases works that go beyond mere documentation to evoke deep emotional responses, featuring images with a meditative quality that speaks to viewers regardless of their usual artistic preferences. Through their thoughtful framing, dramatic use of light, and patient observation, these photographers transform familiar local scenes into powerful visual poetry that highlights both the grandeur and subtle details of our natural environment. This exhibition invites visitors to rediscover the breathtaking landscapes we call home through the contemplative and evocative visions of these remarkable artists. 

Join us August 23rd for a special presentation of Cascadia Dreams, a multimedia presentation in the Hotel Leo Ballroom, 1224 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham from 6-8. For tickets and more information, click here!

 

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 Allied Arts at 360-676-8548 or gallery@alliedarts.org. 

By |2025-09-16T13:56:01-07:00July 2nd, 2025|Categories: AAWC Blog, Art News 360, Past Exhibits|Tags: , |

July Exhibition: July’s Puzzles in Pigment

 

 

July’s Puzzles in Pigment 

July 3- 26 

 

Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 11am – 4pm 

Opening Reception: July 3, 6pm-9pm 

1213 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225 

 

Allied Arts of Whatcom County proudly presents “Puzzles in Pigment,” an exhibition celebrating the diverse language of abstract art through the work of five distinctive local artists. The show features Brett Sandström’s balanced compositions emphasizing mindfulness and simplicity alongside Jake Gombis’s large-format conversational paintings that explore both tangible and abstract relationships through pedestrian mediums. Visitors will also experience Lori VanEtta’s vibrant acrylic abstracts that breathe life into every space, and Marjie Miller’s encaustic pieces created using an ancient Greek technique of fused, melted wax. We regret that artist Mansur Ahmed cannot join us due to border travel limitations

 

“Puzzles in Pigment” invites art enthusiasts to immerse themselves in a colorful journey where each artist’s unique perspective creates a different piece of an abstract visual puzzle. From Sandström’s three decades of artistic exploration to Miller’s revival of classical methods, this exhibition showcases the rich diversity of abstract expression while highlighting the creative vibrancy that Allied Arts of Whatcom County cultivates in the region. 

 

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 |2025-08-01T16:04:24-07:00June 20th, 2025|Categories: AAWC Blog, Art News 360, Past Exhibits|Tags: , |

June Exhibition: Words of a Feather: 20th Sue C. Boynton Poetry Contest

June 6- June 28 

 

Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 11am – 4pm 

Opening Reception: June 6, 6pm-9pm 

1213 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225 

 

Step into a vibrant celebration where Whatcom County's most captivating poems come alive alongside stunning artwork they've inspired! For two decades, the Sue C. Boynton Poetry Contest has connected our community through the power of words—and this landmark anniversary exhibition showcases this creative partnership like never before. 

  

Each year, distinguished judges carefully select exceptional poems from writers of all ages, transforming these literary gems into visual art for the entire community to enjoy on WTA buses. Now, Allied Arts brings this cherished tradition indoors with a special gallery exhibition featuring this year's winning entries alongside colorful artwork paired with memorable selections from past contests—creating a retrospective that honors both fresh voices and the rich poetic history of our community. 

  

Visitors can immerse themselves in the complete experience through a commemorative anthology spanning ten years of winning compositions, alongside collections from celebrated local poets. Throughout June, the Whatcom Poetry Series will enhance your experience with engaging poetry readings and interactive workshops hosted in the gallery space. 

  

Don't miss this extraordinary intersection of literary and visual arts that represents the heart and voice of our community. Come celebrate the creative spirit that continues to inspire Whatcom County! 

 

You can find out more about the poetry contest at https://thepoetrydepartment.wordpress.com/contest/. For any questions about the contest, email BoyntonPoetryContest@hotmail.com. Donations are always necessary to keep the contest running year after year. 

By |2025-07-02T15:32:27-07:00May 28th, 2025|Categories: AAWC Blog, Art News 360, Past Exhibits|Tags: , |

25th Annual Children’s Art Walk

Exhibit run May 2-16, 2025 
Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 11am – 4pm 
Opening Reception: Friday, May 2nd, 5pm-8pm
At Our New Address! 1213 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225

 

We welcome all to stroll through downtown Bellingham and delight in the works of the younger art community! On Friday, May 2nd, Whatcom County students will proudly display their works of art during the 25th annual Children’s Art Walk presented by Allied Arts of Whatcom County. On this night there will be a number of activities for kids and adults, music, and more to celebrate the arts in schools – Bo Bestvina will be performing music at Allied Arts’ gallery at 1213 Cornwall Ave, and Christian Anne Smith and Andy Koch will be doing puppetry at Cof& two doors down from the gallery. Art will stay on display through the first two weeks in May in honor of the statewide Arts Education Month.

 

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

May 2025 Children's Art Walk postcard
By |2025-05-30T15:31:29-07:00April 25th, 2025|Categories: AAWC Blog, Art News 360, Arts Education, Past Exhibits|Tags: , , , |
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