Dear Allied Arts Community,

Five months ago, I stepped into the role of Interim Executive Director with a simple goal: listen first.

Since then, I’ve had conversations with artists, volunteers, business owners, teachers, performers, nonprofit leaders, parents, students, and longtime supporters across Whatcom County. We’ve hosted community discussions, shared ideas over coffee, and heard from people who love Allied Arts and want to see it thrive for the next generation.

One thing became clear: our community is looking for more ways to connect.

People want places to meet fellow creatives, discover opportunities, share ideas, learn new skills, bring their families, hear live music, make art, and feel part of something bigger than themselves.

So that’s where we’re headed.

This August, Allied Arts will begin testing a new chapter for our downtown space. Following our July exhibit, we’ll be rearranging the building to make room for more of what the community has asked for: workshops, performances, gatherings, exhibitions, creative retail, and new opportunities to connect. Some ideas will work beautifully. Others we’ll learn from and improve. That’s the exciting part.

Rather than trying to be everything to everyone, we’re focusing on what Allied Arts does best: bringing people together and helping creativity flourish across Whatcom County.

You’ll start seeing more collaborations, more opportunities to participate, and more reasons to stop by and see what’s happening. Whether you’re an artist, musician, writer, performer, maker, student, parent, retiree, arts supporter, or simply someone who enjoys being part of a creative community, we want you here.

The future of Allied Arts won’t be built by one person, one board, or one organization. It will be built by the people who care about the arts and believe they make our community stronger.

Thank you for being part of that future.

I hope to see you soon.

Meredith Patten
Interim Executive Director
Allied Arts of Whatcom County