Whatcom Art Center

The New Community Art Space in Whatcom County

Classes

Art Shows/Events

Art Studios

Welcome to Whatcom Art Center, your new creative hub in the historic Fairhaven neighborhood of Bellingham, Washington!

We’re thrilled to open our doors on November 1, 2024, with a grand opening celebration to follow in the coming weeks.

As an exciting new initiative from the Whatcom Art Guild, the Whatcom Art Center (WAC) was founded to celebrate the Guild’s 60th anniversary. Our vibrant center offers studio spaces for rent, a variety of public art classes, exhibitions from local artists, and special events throughout the year. Whether you’re an artist looking to grow or someone passionate about the arts, we have something for everyone.

For workshop leaders and facilitators, the WAC provides versatile rental spaces equipped with everything you need to create a memorable experience for your participants.

Conveniently located next door to the Whatcom Art Market, where 45 local artists’ works are displayed and available for purchase seven days a week, the WAC is your gateway to a thriving artistic community.

The Fairhaven district is known for its boutique shopping, diverse eateries, cozy cafes, and a scenic waterfront boardwalk that offers stunning views of Bellingham Bay—perfect for a post-lunch stroll. If you’re visiting from out of town, the bus and train stations are just a short walk away.

With so much planned for 2025, we invite you to sign up for our *Arts In Every Color* newsletter to stay in the loop on all our upcoming events, classes, and shows (sign up below).

We can’t wait to meet you at the Whatcom Art Center!

Location: 1105 11th St, Bellingham, WA (see map below).

Art Studio available for Rent

$475 per month

Available Immediately – 6 or 12 month lease
First and last month’s rent required
Rental insurance required
Not allowed:
- Flammable materials
- Kilns or acetylene tanks
- Noxious materials

NOTE: All of our artist studios are currently being leased, but please contact Peggy below if you’d like to be added to the waitlist if/when one becomes available:

Contact: peggy@whatcomartcenter.org

Testimonials

Feedback from some of our happy class attendees!

Dear Belinda, Candice, and Kim

I cannot express how truly grateful I am to each of you for your amazing combined workshop yesterday. I love to see three creative friends not only gather to share in an educational experience, each bringing her own specialty to the day, but also, supporting each other, as well as the students, throughout the entire day. Such a collective spirit of mutual respect and love, and truly refreshing.

I appreciated the attention to detail you each took in preparing for the day…for inviting us to the demo table so to speak, by showing what would be created, talking about it, executing the task at hand, getting us super excited, and setting us free to play. Thank you as well for your generosity in the sharing of your supplies. They take time to gather, organize, are costly, and Belinda…my Lord…those pressed flowers…glorious.

So…let’s just say this gal is ever so grateful to each of you. My brain was stimulated and excited to learn new things. I felt that creativity zen. It was a magical day. Thank You.

Hugs

Jodee

It was so much fun!! The best thing I’ve done for myself in quite a while. Thanks so much!

Too much fun!! Very memorable, can’t thank you enough for making it happen!!

“Once in a lifetime day” and really wants to keep working on our journals later. She truly had the best time and just adores you all- thank you all so much!!!