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: , , , , |

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: , |

December Gallery: Tribute to Time and Place – Through the Eyes and Years of Tore Ofteness

Tribute to Time and Place: Through the Eyes and Years of Tore Ofteness

December 6-20 

 

Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 11am – 4pm 

Opening Reception: December 6, 6pm-9pm 

1213 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225 

 

We are thrilled to announce a very special art exhibit featuring the breathtaking aerial photography of renowned professional photographer Tore Ofteness. This unique collection will be on display in three venues at: Allied Arts, Bellingham Frameworks, and Quicksilver from December 6th to December 20th. Join us for an opening reception on December 6th from 6pm to 9pm,

 

Tore Ofteness is celebrated for his diverse array of photography. This exhibit also showcases his stunning and dramatic images, spanning a broad range of themes including majestic mountains, vintage music festivals, and historic events, including his award-winning, awe-inspiring aerial shots of iconic bridges, highlighting Washington’s natural beauty with architectural wonders. He brings a personal touch to his photography that captivates and inspires. This exhibit is a must-see for art lovers and photography enthusiasts alike. Don’t miss your chance to experience the world through the lens of Tore Ofteness.

 

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 or gallery@alliedarts.org.

By |2025-01-17T14:55:22-08:00November 15th, 2024|Categories: Art News 360, Past Exhibits|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

Drifting Dreamscape: November 2024 Gallery Show

Drifting Dreamscape November 2024 Gallery PostcardNovember’s Drifting Dreamscape 

November 1- November 30 

 

Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 11am – 4pm 

Opening Reception: November 1, 6pm-9pm 

1213 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225 

 

Welcome to Allied Art’s “Drifting Dreamscape,” where artists unite in their commitment to capturing unique visions inspired by nature and dreams. Each artist contributes to a vibrant tapestry of artistic expression, infusing their work with distinct perspectives and a deep connection to the natural world or dreamlike realms. This collective dedication results in a diverse array of artworks that collectively celebrate individuality and contribute to the rich landscape of artistic creation. Andy Koch of the Badd Dog Blues contributed to the vast variety of artistic expression through a performance at the opening reception. 

 

Liz Cunningham’s art comprises a collection of beaded jewelry, including necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, all crafted with meticulous care, one tiny bead at a time. 

 

Norma Appleton paints the changing landscapes of Whatcom County and the Puget Sound region, inspired by her yearly travels. She particularly enjoys capturing the scenes during the early morning and dusk. 

 

Felicia Andreotta specializes in painting abstract and atmospheric landscapes in oil, employing palette knives as her primary tool for creating expressive and textured artworks. 

 

Carol M Hansen crafts unique eggshell mosaics on canvas, each piece a one-of-a-kind creation that requires many hours of meticulous work. 

 
Leilani Norman explores nature, human-nature interaction, and emotional landscapes in her art. She brings these themes to life through abstract landscapes and non-representational imagery, using both paintings on canvas and gouache works on paper. 

 

Allied Arts is a non-profit gallery, all proceeds from sales go towards supporting the arts in our community. 

By |2025-01-04T15:12:10-08:00November 5th, 2024|Categories: Art News 360, Past Exhibits|Tags: , , |

“Small is Beautiful” at Meloy Gallery in Bay Street Village

 

Photograph of Local Art at a Gallery[Meloy Gallery Press Release] “Small is Beautiful” is an exhibition featuring local and regional artists’ creations.  There are hundreds of affordable, small, fine art paintings, prints, pottery, art greeting cards, journals, and gifts.

Some participants are Erin Libby, Paul Niemi, Christen Mattix, Joan Stuart Ross, John A Taylor, Joe Reno, Richard Longstreet, Rebecca Meloy, Lisa Sheets, and more.

 

November 1 – December 24, 2024

November & December Hours: Every Friday through Sunday

Noon to 5 pm, or by private appointment

Additional Holiday Hours:

Thanksgiving Weekend

December 10, 11, 12, 17, 19, 23, 24

Additional information can be found at www.meloygallery.com.

By |2024-11-05T13:16:45-08:00November 5th, 2024|Categories: Art News 360|Tags: , , , , , , |

Noisy Waters Kids Wall looking for Volunteers!!

Who: The Noisy Waters Mural Festival hosted by Paper Whale, a community art nonprofit founded by Nick Hartich and Gretchen Leggitt.
 
What: The Kids Wall is a community painting area for youth, disabled community members, and their families to try out wall painting. The area is split in half: the Older Youth Wall and the Little Kid Wall. Older Youth will be supplied with latex and acrylic paint at their own risk. The Little Kid Wall is a new tempera paint station intended for small children and families unequipped to deal with permanent paint. Parents are required to stay with their Youth.
 
Why: To engage the community in the process AND ephemeral nature of public art.
 
When: August 16th – 18th. 10am – 6pm. Volunteers are welcome to define their time commitment. 
 
How: Email mxemilycarey@gmail.com with your availability to volunteer!
By |2024-08-14T21:38:55-07:00August 14th, 2024|Categories: Art News 360|Tags: , , , , , , |

Fall Art Classes at Bellingham ART!

from BellinghamART:

Our fall schedule has launched! Sign up today for fall classes!

 

BellinghamART has just launched our fall schedule and registration. We offer after school (or after work) classes for ages 4.5 all the way to adults. When you sign up for fall classes, you are signing up to attend class from the end of September through the beginning of December (10 classes). During that time period we will get a chance to work on our skills, learn new techniques, try new materials, and meet some new friends. All materials provided.

 

Check out our new classes this year including an intro to acrylic painting class for teens, a studio watercolor class, and a class specially for homeschoolers.
Spots go quick! Sign up today!

By |2024-09-06T15:06:38-07:00August 14th, 2024|Categories: Art News 360|Tags: , , , , , , |
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