Whatcom Art Center

The New Community Art Space in Whatcom County

Take a Class

art class

 Art Exhibits

art exhibition

 Special Events

special event

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).

Calendar

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6:00 PM - Sacred Solace
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26
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31
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2
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WAG Healing Arts Group
February 24, 2025    
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Monthly recurring meeting of the WAG Healing Arts special interest group
WAG Portrait Group
February 25, 2025    
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Monthly recurring meeting of the WAG Portrait special interest group
Layered Acrylic Magic (Cancelled)
** CANCELLED** Apologies, this event has been cancelled by the artist due to family issues.  Make highly layered and fascinating paintings with a variety of...
Imagine-Scapes (Cancelled)
** CANCELLED** Apologies, this event has been cancelled by the artist due to family issues.  You can create soulscapes! It doesn’t take much...a few colors...
WAM All Hands Meeting
March 3, 2025    
6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Whatcom Art Market All Hands meeting - for WAM members only
WAG Mixed Media Group
March 4, 2025    
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Monthly meeting of the WAG Mixed Media special interest group
WAG Fiber Arts Group
March 10, 2025    
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Monthly recurring meeting of the WAG Fiber Arts special interest group
March 13, 2025    
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Monthly recurring meeting of the WAG Watercolor special interest group
Fluid Dutch Pour Workshop #1
March 15, 2025    
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
SieArts Fluid Art Dutch Pour class will include learning how to mix paints for the dutch pour method and creating a 12 x 12 inch...
Diverse Perspectives Poetry Reading
March 17, 2025    
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
The Irish are known for their poetry – what better way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day than through the art of poetry. Join us for...
Sacred Solace
March 19, 2025    
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Mindful crafting followed by a meditative sound bath. First playshop: crafting a journal and learn how to script intentions and manifestations. Art Medium: Papercutting, magazines,...
Sehome High School Art Show
Join us at Whatcom Art Center as we showcase the incredible talent of Sehome High School art students - a celebration of young, passionate artists...
Sehome High School Art Show
Join us at Whatcom Art Center as we showcase the incredible talent of Sehome High School art students - a celebration of young, passionate artists...
Sehome High School Art Show
Join us at Whatcom Art Center as we showcase the incredible talent of Sehome High School art students - a celebration of young, passionate artists...
March 24, 2025    
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Monthly recurring meeting of the WAG Healing Arts special interest group
March 25, 2025    
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Monthly recurring meeting of the WAG Portrait special interest group
Parent and Me: Emotion Critters
March 29, 2025    
1:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Emotion Critters will be created out of fabric and other materials using simple stitches and other sewing and crafting techniques to reflect the chosen emotion....
Gel Plate Printing
March 30, 2025    
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Private Event Printing on a gel plate is a form of art that creates one of a kind prints. These prints are then used to...
WAG Mixed Media Group
April 1, 2025    
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Monthly meeting of the WAG Mixed Media special interest group
The Wheel of Time: Creating the Tibetan Mandala
Explore the meditative art of mandala creation in this hands-on class! Using a compass and ruler, students will learn to construct the foundational geometric structure...
Events on February 24, 2025
WAG Healing Arts Group
24 Feb 25
Bellingham
Events on February 25, 2025
WAG Portrait Group
25 Feb 25
Bellingham
Events on March 1, 2025
Layered Acrylic Magic (Cancelled)
1 Mar 25
Bellingham
Imagine-Scapes (Cancelled)
1 Mar 25
Bellingham
Events on March 3, 2025
WAM All Hands Meeting
3 Mar 25
Bellingham
Events on March 4, 2025
WAG Mixed Media Group
4 Mar 25
Bellingham
Events on March 10, 2025
WAG Fiber Arts Group
10 Mar 25
Bellingham
Events on March 13, 2025
13 Mar
13 Mar 25
Bellingham
Events on March 15, 2025
Fluid Dutch Pour Workshop #1
15 Mar 25
Bellingham
Events on March 17, 2025
Events on March 19, 2025
Sacred Solace
19 Mar 25
Bellingham
Events on March 21, 2025
Sehome High School Art Show
21 Mar 25
Bellingham
Events on March 22, 2025
Sehome High School Art Show
22 Mar 25
Bellingham
Events on March 23, 2025
Sehome High School Art Show
23 Mar 25
Bellingham
Events on March 24, 2025
24 Mar
24 Mar 25
Bellingham
Events on March 25, 2025
25 Mar
25 Mar 25
Bellingham
Events on March 29, 2025
Parent and Me: Emotion Critters
29 Mar 25
Bellingham
Events on March 30, 2025
Gel Plate Printing
30 Mar 25
Bellingham
Events on April 1, 2025
WAG Mixed Media Group
1 Apr 25
Bellingham
Events on April 3, 2025

Featured Events

Mar 2025

Sehome High School Art Show

Sehome High School Art Show

March 21, 2025    
11:00 am - 7:00 pm
Join us at Whatcom Art Center as we showcase the incredible talent of Sehome High School art students - a celebration of young, passionate artists [...]
Sehome High School Art Show

Sehome High School Art Show

March 22, 2025    
11:00 am - 7:00 pm
Join us at Whatcom Art Center as we showcase the incredible talent of Sehome High School art students - a celebration of young, passionate artists [...]
Sehome High School Art Show

Sehome High School Art Show

March 23, 2025    
11:00 am - 7:00 pm
Join us at Whatcom Art Center as we showcase the incredible talent of Sehome High School art students - a celebration of young, passionate artists [...]
Parent and Me: Emotion Critters

Parent and Me: Emotion Critters

March 29, 2025    
1:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Emotion Critters will be created out of fabric and other materials using simple stitches and other sewing and crafting techniques to reflect the chosen emotion. [...]

Apr 2025

The Wheel of Time: Creating the Tibetan Mandala

The Wheel of Time: Creating the Tibetan Mandala

April 3, 2025    
1:15 pm - 4:45 pm
Explore the meditative art of mandala creation in this hands-on class! Using a compass and ruler, students will learn to construct the foundational geometric structure [...]
Fluid Dutch Pour Workshop #2

Fluid Dutch Pour Workshop #2

April 6, 2025    
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
SieArts Fluid Art Dutch Pour class will include learning how to mix paints for the dutch pour method and creating a 12 x 12 inch [...]
Botanical Mixed Media Art Journal Workshop

Botanical Mixed Media Art Journal Workshop

April 26, 2025    
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Join us for a one-of-a-kind creative experience in the heart of historic Fairhaven! This hands-on workshop is designed to spark inspiration and guide you in [...]

May 2025

Happy Little Fundraiser - A Bob Ross Inspired Celebration

Happy Little Fundraiser - A Bob Ross Inspired Celebration

May 4, 2025    
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Join us for an art-filled, joy-packed, nostalgia-fueled fundraiser inspired by the one and only Bob Ross! This isn't just a party—it's a happy little experience designed [...]
Make the Most of your Cell Phone Photography: From Basic to Creative

Make the Most of your Cell Phone Photography: From Basic to Creative

May 15, 2025    
1:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Learn how to boost your cell phone photography by learning about some of the hidden and underused features of Smartphones, then take your Smartphone photography [...]