The Bellingham Illuminations – Art in a New Light Exhibit at the Whatcom Art Center drew 645 visitors, including 189 who traveled over 50 miles specifically to experience Bellingham’s arts programming. This influx of out-of-town guests underscores the Center’s expanding role in bolstering the local economy through cultural tourism and was supported by a generous tourism grant from the City of Bellingham.
Visitors came from diverse communities across Washington State, such as Anacortes, Auburn, Bellevue, Bonney Lake, Burlington, Cashmere, Darrington, Edmonds, Everett, Friday Harbor, Gig Harbor, Granite Falls, Lynnwood, Mount Vernon, Mukilteo, Normandy Park, Oak Harbor, Okanogan, Olympia, Port Orchard, Purdy, Redmond, Seattle, Spokane, Walla Walla, Wenatchee, West Seattle, and Woodinville. The Center also welcomed guests from the broader Pacific Northwest region, including Bend, Corvallis, Eugene, and Newberg, Oregon, as well as Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada).
The exhibit’s reach extended even further with visitors from across the United States, including Alaska, Chicago, Illinois; Rockville, Maryland, California, New York, Ohio, Connecticut, Kentucky, and Minnesota. Such geographic diversity highlights the Whatcom Art Center’s significance as a cultural destination that attracts new audiences to Bellingham, supports local businesses, enhances the city’s creative identity, and broadens access to the arts for both residents and visitors.
The exhibit featured over 30 WAG artists showcasing a diverse array of magical glow in the dark artworks, including paintings, fiber arts, resin art, sculpture, and more. WAG artists admirably filled 26 docent shifts, managing guest registrations, lending out UV flashlights, and assisting visitors in creating paper luminaries illuminated by LED votives. Numerous WAG volunteers were instrumental in setting up the grids, hanging the artwork, and dismantling the exhibit.
