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Sustainable Connections Launches Local Holiday Passport to Support Local Businesses

Press release courtesy of Sustainable Connections:

BELLINGHAM, Wash. (Nov. 25th 2025) — Sustainable Connections is launching the Think Local First Holiday campaign – including a Holiday Passport and local gift cards – to empower small businesses and encourage shoppers to make local purchases this holiday season.

The free and digital Holiday Passport is an opportunity for inspiration and fun during the holiday season. Shoppers earn points by visiting any of the 40+ participating businesses in Whatcom County. Points can be redeemed for prizes including movie tickets, baked goods, and local gift cards.

Think Local First Gift Cards are accepted at over 200 businesses in Whatcom County, making them a great option for hard-to-shop-for loved ones. They can be purchased and gifted online; the recipient can then redeem the gift at any of the participating businesses.

When dollars are spent at locally owned businesses, they stay in the local economy longer, helping the community thrive. For every $100 spent at a locally owned business, approximately $50 recirculates and remains in the local economy. Only around $15 remains in our community when it’s spent at a national chain.

These are some of the faces behind what it means to “shop local”. Yeager’s Sporting Goods is still family-owned after 104 years (and counting). Photo credit: FotoMataio

“When interviewing local business owners for our retail blog feature, what struck me most was the recurring mention of community, collaboration, and giving back as integral parts of their approach to business. Purchases at locally-owned businesses can be seen as interactions that strengthen community and build relationships, rather than simply transactions. I encourage everyone to support locally owned businesses this holiday season, and all year round,” says Molly Bressers, Think Local First program manager.

Head to thinklocalfirst.org to sign up for the passport, purchase gift cards, and learn more about the businesses that help our community thrive. Read our blog for a behind-the-scenes look at five local retail businesses and hear from small business owners about the importance of supporting local. By participating in the Think Local First Holiday Campaign this year, we invest in the community we love.

By AAWC|2025-11-25T14:56:19-08:00November 25th, 2025|Categories: Art News 360|Tags: community, stay informed|

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 AAWC|2025-09-04T11:55:29-07:00September 4th, 2025|Categories: Art News 360|Tags: art, Bellingham, community, reuse, stay informed, support the arts|

Call for Trompe l’oeil Muralist – “Peering Through the Window of Time” DUE JUNE 8th

From the City of Mount Vernon Parks and Recreation Department:

Call for Trompe l’oeil Muralist – “Peering Through the Window of Time”

Application Deadline: June 8, 2025

Artist Project Budget: $20,000

Purpose: To create a full-color realist depiction of the bustling history of Mount Vernon in the Trompe l’oeil technique of mural art.

Eligibility: This opportunity is open to all mural artists with ties to Washington State, who are 18 years of age and over, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, or physical or mental disability. Artist teams are eligible to apply. Mount Vernon Arts Commission members as well as selection panelists and their immediate families are not eligible for participation.

The application can be found as a PDF at this link here.

By AAWC|2025-05-09T14:36:23-07:00May 9th, 2025|Categories: Art News 360|Tags: call to artists, community, mural, painting, stay informed|

Downtown Bellingham’s Immersive Experience Project

Paper Whale has partnered with Downtown Bellingham to bring art and creativity to our community through the Immersive Experience Project. This project will bring vacant storefronts to life with temporary immersive art exhibits created by local artists. Each exhibit is in a building that is currently up for lease.

Art openings for these spaces include:

May 2, 5:00 – 9:00pm | Opening Release Party & First Friday Art Walk

May 9, 5:30 – 9:00 pm | Wine Walk *this is a ticketed event

June 6, 5:00 – 9:00pm | First Friday Art Walk

June 27, 5:00 – 9:00pm | First Friday Art Walk

Exhibit spaces are as follows:

Digital Extrusions | 1015 N. State St. (main street entrance) | Leasing contact

The Age of Nostalgia | 1015 N. State St. (alley entrance) | Leasing contact

Sylvan Passage | 1329 N. State St. | Leasing contact

Luminous Growth | 215 Prospect St. | Leasing contact

Find more information here, at Paper Whale’s website: https://www.paper-whale.com/immersive

By AAWC|2025-04-18T14:40:13-07:00April 18th, 2025|Categories: Art News 360|Tags: art show, community event, Paper Whale, stay informed|

Call to Artists: Umpqua Valley Arts’ Artworks Northwest Biennial Juried Exhibition

The Artworks Northwest Biennial invites Northern California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Alaska, British Columbia, Western Montana, and Western Wyoming contemporary artists to apply to their juried exhibition by March 28th. The exhibit will take place from June 6th-August 15th, 2025. All mediums are accepted, except video. For more information, visit their website here.

By AAWC|2025-01-25T12:55:21-08:00January 25th, 2025|Categories: Art News 360|Tags: art show, call to artists, stay informed|

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 AAWC|2025-01-25T12:15:07-08:00January 25th, 2025|Categories: Art News 360|Tags: art, art classes, non-proft, stay informed|

Jansen Art Center Painter’s Open Studio

As of January 21st, 2025, Jansen’s Art Center in Lynden, WA has started hosting a painter’s open studio weekly on Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Each session costs $15 to attend, and a link to February registration can be found here.

By AAWC|2025-01-25T12:10:25-08:00January 25th, 2025|Categories: Art News 360|Tags: stay informed|

FABulously Festive First Friday

On December 6th from 5-9pm, at 314 E Holly Street, Bellingham, The FAB Studios will host a holiday market featuring open studios, a new gallery show, guest artists, refreshments, and more!

By AAWC|2024-11-21T15:16:55-08:00November 21st, 2024|Categories: Art News 360|Tags: art, community, Event, First Friday, stay informed|

LAW’s Free Legal Advice for Artists Nov. 18-22

Washington Lawyers for the Arts (WLA) presents November Legal Advice Week (LAW) during November 18-22. During this week, artists in Washington can sign up for 30-minutes of legal advice over the phone entirely free of charge. LAW clinics’ legal advice for artists can cover various areas such as: copyright, trademark, publicity rights, licensing, fair use, business formation, and contract review. The sign-up form link can be found here, and will be open for sign-ups until Thursday, November 14.

Please note, WLA states legal issues involving patent, employment, criminal, tax, and family law are not apt for WLA LAW.

By AAWC|2024-11-09T15:42:17-08:00November 9th, 2024|Categories: Art News 360|Tags: arts legislation, Resources for Artists, stay informed, support the arts|

It’s About Time Cultural Arts Center Grand Opening

The It’s About Time Cultural Arts Center will open its doors on November 16, 2024 at 2013 Main Street, Ferndale 98248. Be sure to stop by and enjoy the beautiful Whatcom County art from 11am-6pm on their opening day!

By AAWC|2024-11-05T13:08:33-08:00November 5th, 2024|Categories: Art News 360|Tags: art, community, cultural arts, Ferndale, stay informed, support the arts|