Whatcom Art Guild—promoting local artists and crafters

General Meetings for January 23 and February 27 will be at the Fairhaven Public Library

Welcome to Our Website

Art Market

Hot Air Balloon Challenge due January 23, 2012 General Meeting at Fairhaven Library

The Whatcom Art Guild is a non-profit organization that has been dedicated to supporting the visual arts in Whatcom County Washington since 1964. We meet on the fourth Monday of each month (except for May, August and December) in the lower level meeting room of the Bellingham Public Library at 7 p.m. The library is located at 210 Central Avenue in downtown Bellingham. Click here for a map.

The purpose of the guild is to

• Organize exhibits in which members may display and sell artworks,

• Provide an environment in which artists can meet and exchange ideas and information,

• Support life-long art education,

• Encourage and promote the visual arts within Whatcom County,

• Establish ties within the county that promote the visual arts, and

• Promote member artists and the Whatcom Art Guild.

Learn More About the Guild >>

General Meeting Change

General Meetings for January 23 and February 27 will be at the Fairhaven Public Library.

Tore Ofteness Show

Tore Ofteness will be one of three featured artists at the Allied Arts Gallery in downtown Bellingham during the month of December. The exhibit, entitled "Flashback" features some of his favorite black and white images from the past 45 years.

Sherry Shipley Show

Sherry Shipley is having a solo show at the Heritage Gallery in Mt. Vernon during the month of December. She will be showing her beautiful forest paintings. Reception is Friday, December 9th at 7pm.

WAG Art Market News

The Art Market is located at 1314 12th Street in Fairhaven (back of McKenzie Alley).

New holiday hours (starting Friday after Thanksgiving: Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays 10 to 6.

WAG members are invited to display up to 10 small items for sale, even if you are not currently a member of the Art Market. All items must be tagged with your WAG ID, Name, item number and price. You must also have a W-9 on file.

Art Classes

Watercolor Batik conducted by Dee Doyle. January 14, 2012 9:30 to 4:00 at Dakota Arts Classroom. Cost is $70 plus a $5 fee for some materials shared by the class. You can contact Dee directly for more information at 360-630-0208 or email her at deecubed@aol.com.

Watercolor batiking is a process of reserving whites and lights with alternating applications of watercolors and wax, producing amazing artistic results.

Six student minimum. Ten student maximum.

Art Challenge

Bi-monthly an art challenge will be issued to guild members. Artists will be given an inspirational picture to use as a springboard for their ideas.

Any media can be used to create an art piece based on the picture. The pieces will be discussed at the general meeting. Prizes will be given based on a popular vote.

Come to the general meeting to receive your next challenge picture.

For more information, click on Art Challenge in the menubar above.

What does the guild offer you?

Are you interested in displaying and selling your art in Whatcom County? Learning from other local artists? Contributing your skills to foster arts in the community? Join us today.Become a member.

Member Benefits

Entries in member shows & exhibits
Monthly venue exhibit opportunities
Networking with fellow artists
Education and professional development opportunities
Artist-of-the Month recognition
Monthly newsletters with updates on guild-sponsored events, local and regional art exhibitions, calls-to-artists, and other information of interest
Listing in the Guild's online member directory with a free link to artist member's professional web site
10% discount at Dakota Art Store
Door prize gift certificate donated by Dakota Art Store at Guild's monthly general meetings
10% discount on Framing at Sound Images
10% discount on multiple Giclee Prints at Sound Images
15% discount at Custom Corners Frames in Lynden
Guild collaboration with other arts organizations
Contributions are 100% tax deductible

Opportunities to Share Your Art

March: Ferndale Library Show
May: Ski-to-Sea Art by the Lake Show
September: Ferndale Library Show
November: Art by the Lake Show
Monthly: Mini-Shows at Guild meetings (Winners of the Mini-Shows are featured as Artists of the Month on the website and at local venues).

Opportunities to Learn

Watch instructional DVDs from our DVD library.

Participate in programs at monthly Guild meetings.

Attend workshops offered by Guild instructors.

Opportunities to Promote the Visual Arts

Join a Committee
Become one of the Officers
Present a Program at the Monthly Meeting