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 |2025-11-25T15:34:47-08:00November 25th, 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: , , |

Help Ragfinery Re-Open!

We are so thrilled to announce that Ragfinery is reopening soon at 115 Unity St, Suite 101 in Downtown Bellingham and needs your support! Help Ragfinery cover construction costs, replace fixtures and supplies, restock their wares, and support their staff at the link here.

Ragfinery has provided our community with reused and repurposed textiles as well as job training programs for over a decade. Their return to a physical location in Downtown Bellingham is of great significance to both the art community and Whatcom County as a whole!

By |2025-09-04T11:55:29-07:00September 4th, 2025|Categories: Art News 360|Tags: , , , , , |

Bellingham TheatreWorks/Fairhaven Summer Repertory Theatre

From Bellingham Theatreworks:
In Search of a Common Language
This Summer, Bellingham TheatreWorks will produce three award winning and thought-provoking plays written by authors who explore how language can both set us apart and bring us together. Audience members will experience the intimacy of being in the round at the Firehouse Arts and Events Center, sitting with the actors while they explore a hilarious satire, a lyric look at the past, and a heartfelt comic hug. All three plays, THE FOREIGNER, THE LANGUAGE ARCHIVE, and TRANSLATIONS have multiple scenes where the characters desperately want to communicate with each other but are faced with a language barrier. This summer’s offerings promise to explore how language is deeply aligned with culture and identity, and how it can lead to unexpected interpersonal challenges.
Our company combines many members of the community: students and educators, parents and children, as well as guest artists from far beyond Bellingham Bay, all working together to bring these three plays to life.
 

The Foreigner by Larry Shue, Directed by Mark Kuntz

In a fishing lodge in rural Georgia, a tragically shy proofreader for a science fiction magazine tries to hide from life, only to put himself in the middle of a family squabble over money and power. This hilarious comedy earned multiple Obie and Outer Critics Circle awards as Best New American Play and Best Off-Broadway Production.

 

The Language Archive by Julia Cho, Directed by Cara Phipps

George is consumed with preserving and documenting the dying languages of the world.  At home, however, despite all the languages he speaks, words fail him in his marriage with his wife.  This heartfelt bittersweet comedy won the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize for new plays. 

 

Translations by Brian Freil, Directed by Kayla Adams

A British soldier falls in love with an Irish peasant girl, with a backdrop of the British Army’s campaign to change the names of native Gaelic locations. This lyric play explores language as the soul of a nation, during a time of complicated social upheaval.

All plays run in repertory beginning June 24 and will continue 6 nights a week for 4 weeks.   The entire season schedule with ticketing and attendance information, as well as complete descriptions of the plays and information about all of the artists, can be found at

June 24 – July 20, 2025
Six nights a week: Tuesday – Saturday @ 7:30, Sunday @ 5:00
www.BellinghamTheatreWorks.org
General $25/Students $20
Season Tickets $60
Call 360-389-2835 for information, ticketing and disability accommodation

By |2025-05-23T13:58:37-07:00May 23rd, 2025|Categories: Art News 360|Tags: , |

Gabriel’s Art Kids Announces Amazing Summer Art Camps!

 
✨ SUMMER ADVENTURES AWAIT AT GABRIEL’S ART KIDS! ✨
School’s almost out, which means it’s time to plan for creative summer fun! Our 2025 summer camps offer something special for every young artist ages 2.5-16. Reserve your spot today!
OUTDOOR ART CAMPS
Explore Bellingham’s most beautiful parks while creating nature-inspired art! Each themed week combines hands-on projects with environmental education for an unforgettable outdoor experience.
5 unique themed weeks including “Color Me Crazy” and “Summerween”
For grades K-6
9AM-3PM daily
Transportation between parks via GAK van included
 
CERAMICS CAMP
Watch your child transform clay into amazing creations at our professional sculpture studio! Each week features different ceramic techniques with expert guidance from Teacher Will.
Morning sessions (ages 8-12): 8:30AM-12:30PM
Afternoon sessions (ages 13-16): 1:30PM-4:30PM
All materials included: 25lb clay, 8-piece tool set, glazing & firing
Small class sizes for personalized attention
 
CREATIVE ARTS CAMP
Our vibrant theme-based program unleashes creativity through painting, sculpture, collaborative projects, and STEAM activities in a joyful, supportive environment.
Programs for all ages: Little Sprouts (2.5-4), Budding Artists (3.5-5), Art & Play Studio (K-5), and Art Immersion Studio (1-5)
Flexible scheduling with full/half day options
Weekly themes that spark imagination and curiosity
 
By |2025-04-18T16:14:32-07:00April 18th, 2025|Categories: Art News 360|Tags: , , |

Gabriel’s Art Kids: Procession of the Species Parade May 3rd

 

Gabriel’s Art Kids’ Procession of the Species is coming to Downtown Bellingham early this May! Take a look at the information they’ve provided:

 

✨ Join the Magic: Procession of the Species Returns to Bellingham! ✨
 When: May 3, 2025 | Where: Downtown Bellingham, WA
 Parade Starts at 2 PM | Festival at Maritime Heritage Park (2–5 PM)

Calling all nature lovers, artists, and community champions! The beloved Procession of the Species is back, and YOU’RE invited to be part of this vibrant celebration of art, ecology, and togetherness. Whether you’re marching in the parade, crafting a costume, or cheering from the sidelines, this day is all about joy, creativity, and our connection to the natural world.

How to Get Involved:
(All info and links at: Gabriel’s Art Kids ) https://www.gabrielsartkids.com/

1️⃣ JOIN THE PARADE
Create a wildlife-inspired costume, bring your family, and march with us! Registration is FREE and ensures updates on craft days, route details, and more.
 Sign Up Here: Parade Registration https://form.jotform.com/250425244383150

2️⃣ BECOME A COMMUNITY PARTNER
Local businesses and organizations: Collaborate with us! Offer discounts, host a booth, or donate supplies. Let’s make magic together!
 Partner Form: Community Partnership https://form.jotform.com/250285529665062

3️⃣ VOLUNTEER
Help bring this event to life! From craft days to parade logistics, we need your energy.
 Volunteer Interest Form: Volunteer Here https://www.gabrielsartkids.com/gakcollab.html

By |2025-04-18T13:39:38-07:00April 18th, 2025|Categories: Art News 360|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

Vancouver Art Book Fair 2025 Applications Open

OCW Arts & Publishing Foundation has announced the 2025 dates for the Vancouver Art Book Fair (VABF). The VABF will be held on Friday, July 4th through Sunday, July 6th, 2025 at the Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre in Vancouver, BC. More information can be found at the VABF website here. Exhibitor applications can be found here, and will close March 23rd.

By |2025-02-22T15:39:08-08:00February 22nd, 2025|Categories: Art News 360|Tags: , , , |

Whatcom Museum’s Partnership with the National Gallery: Verdant

The Whatcom Museum is partnering with the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. to present three beautiful original paintings by Renoir, Cézanne, and Matisse in the captivating Verdant exhibition.

Be sure to stop by The Whatcom Museum on First Friday March 7th to enjoy free admission and extended hours, or look into the pilot program that provides free admission and a tour for qualifying K-12 field trips here. Learn more about Verdant at the Whatcom Museum’s website.

By |2025-02-14T14:31:49-08:00February 14th, 2025|Categories: Art News 360|Tags: , , , |

Artist Trust Professional Development Opportunities

The Washington-based nonprofit Artist Trust is offering the following professional development opportunities for artists priced on a sliding scale:

Thursday, February 6th 5:30-7:30 p.m. Taxes for Artists Workshop will be led by CPA Valerie Moseley. During the session, Valerie will cover essential federal and state tax basics and wrap up with a Q&A session to address your specific questions. The cost of attendance is based on a sliding scale.

Wednesday, February 26th 5:30-6:30 p.m. Krista Mirhoseini will cover copyright and trademark in the first in a three part workshop series on Creative Business Basics.

Wednesday, March 12th 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Arts Consultant NaKeesa Frazier-Jennings and artist George Jennings will be leading a workshop on Monetizing your Creative Practice.

By |2025-01-25T12:15:07-08:00January 25th, 2025|Categories: Art News 360|Tags: , , , |

OUR FOCUS

Allied Arts of Whatcom County is a nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation dedicated to the arts in our region by empowering local artists through organized festivals and events, enriching our local school children through educational outreach programs, and working as a liaison to art enthusiasts of all ages to help make our region a creative, vibrant place to live.

CONTACT US

Mail
PO Box 2584
Bellingham, WA 98227

Telephone 360-676-8548
Fax 360-650-9317

info@alliedarts.org

VISIT US

Gallery & Store
1213 Cornwall Ave
Bellingham, WA 98225

Hours
Wednesday – Sunday: 11AM – 4PM

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