EVENTS OVERVIEW

Classes

artists workshop

Art Shows/Events

Art Studios

Events at the Whatcom Art Center!

The Whatcom Art Center (WAC) embodies the vision of the Whatcom Art Guild (WAG), a vibrant 60-year-old art community committed to connecting local artists with the culturally rich county we call home. Alongside the Whatcom Art Market (WAM) next door, WAC is a creative hub designed to engage and inspire.

Our Space for Creativity

WAC is a dynamic space where artists can gather, create, and share their work. It offers a venue for classes and workshops, special events, and art exhibitions. Additionally, we provide highly sought-after 24/7 studio spaces for 3 to 6 resident artists, giving them a dedicated environment to work and grow.

Join Our Creative Community!

We warmly welcome the community to explore WAC* and its offerings. Teachers can rent spaces to host workshops, and various art classes will be available to accommodate different artistic interests and skill levels. Additionally, affordable membership is available in the Whatcom Art Guild. We host monthly meetings, participate in various art shows and competitions throughout Washington State, and offer mentorship. Our artists can apply to the Whatcom Art Market to show and sell their work seven days a week.

Growing and Evolving

As with any creative process, we’re continuously refining. Throughout 2025, we’ll expand our offerings and improve our processes to serve the community better. Starting November 1, 2025, you can contact our center director, Peggy Alexander, for workshop bookings or studio rentals. Class schedules and details, including experience levels, costs, and supplies, will be available on our website’s Classes page. Secure your spot by paying directly through the class descriptions.

Questions or Feedback?

We welcome your questions and insights as we continue to fine-tune our operations. As a volunteer-only organization, we rely on the generosity of our artist community and supporters to sustain WAC and WAM financially and in all our endeavors.

*WAM (the market), WAC (the center), WAG (the organization called the GUILD).

What’s Happening at Whatcom Art Center

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Beginner to Intermediate Watercolor Class (Session 2)
Watercolor Exploration: Surfaces, Techniques, and Creations (Session 2) Dive into the vibrant world of watercolor in this hands-on class! Over the course of the workshop,...
WAG Marketing Meeting
April 2, 2026    
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Blocking out for WAG Marketing sync
Design and Cultivate a Thriving Garden in the Pacific Northwest
Experience a Virtual Garden Tour of Regenerative Landscapes that Blend Beauty with Function. Join us in this inspirational and collaborative 3-hour workshop to experience a...
Beginner to Intermediate Watercolor Class (Session 3)
Watercolor Exploration: Surfaces, Techniques, and Creations (Session 3) Dive into the vibrant world of watercolor in this hands-on class! Over the course of the workshop,...
WAC Steering Committee Meeting
April 9, 2026    
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Bi-monthly meeting of the Whatcom Art Center steering committee
Watercolor Group
April 9, 2026    
1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Collage Connections
April 11, 2026    
1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
If you love working with collage, come join us on the first (or second, in this case) Saturday of the month from 1:00 - 4:30...
WAG Monthly Board Meeting
April 13, 2026    
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Monthly meeting of the Whatcom Art Guild Board of Directors
Edgework: Ekphrastic Encounters Book Release and Reading - A collection of poems and haiku by NW regional writers (free event)
This is a public event where people can celebrate the release of a new poetry collection of ekphrastic writing. We expect the 20 writers to...
Gel Printing in Layers
April 19, 2026    
1:30 pm - 4:00 pm
We will use stencils, masks and some botanicals to create multiple layer prints on a gel plate. You will learn how to layer the paint...
WAC Steering Committee Meeting
April 20, 2026    
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Bi-monthly meeting of the Whatcom Art Center steering committee
Beginner to Intermediate Watercolor Class (Session 4)
Watercolor Exploration: Surfaces, Techniques, and Creations (Session 4) Dive into the vibrant world of watercolor in this hands-on class! Over the course of the workshop,...
Dirty Dan Mystery Weekend Art Exhibit
April 25, 2026 - April 26, 2026    
11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Art show in conjunction with the Fairhaven Dirty Dan Mystery Weekend!
Meet the new Artists!
April 25, 2026    
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Meet seven new local artists and experience their unique art. Seven new, local artists have joined the Whatcom Art Market, and this is your chance...
Whatcom Art Guild Monthly Meeting
April 27, 2026    
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Jake Brandvold of Bellingham’s CritterStitch Studios will be our guest presenter for the April 27 Whatcom Art Guild Meeting. With a career in public health...
Collage Connections
May 2, 2026    
1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
If you love working with collage, come join us on the first (or second, in this case) Saturday of the month from 1:00 - 4:30...
Acrylic Painting Class for all Levels (Session 1 of 4)
Acrylic Exploration: Techniques, Color Mixing and Creating Textures (session 1) In this class, students will explore color and technique through hands-on practice and guided experimentation....
Events on March 30, 2026
Events on April 2, 2026
WAG Marketing Meeting
2 Apr 26
Bellingham
Events on April 4, 2026
Events on April 6, 2026
Events on April 9, 2026
WAC Steering Committee Meeting
9 Apr 26
Bellingham
Watercolor Group
9 Apr 26
Bellingham
Events on April 11, 2026
Collage Connections
11 Apr 26
Bellingham
Events on April 13, 2026
WAG Monthly Board Meeting
13 Apr 26
Bellingham
Events on April 19, 2026
Gel Printing in Layers
19 Apr 26
Bellingham
Events on April 20, 2026
Events on April 25, 2026
Meet the new Artists!
25 Apr 26
Bellingham
Events on April 26, 2026
Events on April 27, 2026
Whatcom Art Guild Monthly Meeting
27 Apr 26
Bellingham
Events on May 2, 2026
Collage Connections
2 May 26
Bellingham
Events on May 4, 2026

Jun 2026

Mosaic Table Plate Workshop (Session 1 of 2)

Mosaic Table Plate Workshop (Session 1 of 2)

June 20, 2026    
1:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Mosaic Table Plate Workshop – requires two classes to complete the project – June 20 and June 27, 2026 Get ready! You will create a [...]
Summer Solstice Sound Healing

Summer Solstice Sound Healing

June 20, 2026    
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Relax and heal with a transporting sound journey featuring the cleansing energies of the crystal singing bowls, the expansive, awakening tones of the Uranus gong, [...]
Whatcom Art Guild Monthly Meeting

Whatcom Art Guild Monthly Meeting

June 22, 2026    
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Monthly meeting of the Whatcom Art Guild. Guests are welcome to attend and get connected with other local artists, see what we do, and decide [...]

Jul 2026

Watercolor Group

Watercolor Group

July 9, 2026    
1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Chicken Art for the Soul - Special Art Exhibit

Chicken Art for the Soul - Special Art Exhibit

July 18, 2026 - July 19, 2026    
11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Call for Whatcom Art Guild Artists! A special chicken-themed art exhibition celebrating the Fairhaven Chicken Festival Open to all Whatcom Art Guild artists Submission deadline [...]
Whatcom Art Guild Monthly Meeting

Whatcom Art Guild Monthly Meeting

July 27, 2026    
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Monthly meeting of the Whatcom Art Guild. Guests are welcome to attend and get connected with other local artists, see what we do, and decide [...]

Aug 2026

Watercolor Group

Watercolor Group

August 13, 2026    
1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Popup Art Show

Popup Art Show

August 15, 2026 - August 16, 2026    
11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Blocking time for pop-up art show... more details to follow
Whatcom Art Guild Monthly Meeting

Whatcom Art Guild Monthly Meeting

August 24, 2026    
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Monthly meeting of the Whatcom Art Guild. Guests are welcome to attend and get connected with other local artists, see what we do, and decide [...]

Sep 2026

Whatcom Art Market Garage Sale

Whatcom Art Market Garage Sale

September 5, 2026 - September 6, 2026    
11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Art and Art supplies on sale!
Watercolor Group

Watercolor Group

September 10, 2026    
1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Mosaic Home Address Sign - Intermediate 3-Class Workshop Series

Mosaic Home Address Sign - Intermediate 3-Class Workshop Series

September 19, 2026    
1:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Mosaic Home Address Sign – requires three 3-hour classes to complete the project – Sept 19, 26 and Oct 3, 2026 Are you ready to [...]
Whatcom Art Guild Monthly Meeting

Whatcom Art Guild Monthly Meeting

September 28, 2026    
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Monthly meeting of the Whatcom Art Guild. Guests are welcome to attend and get connected with other local artists, see what we do, and decide [...]

Oct 2026

Whatcom Artist Studio Tour - Fall Show

Whatcom Artist Studio Tour - Fall Show

October 3, 2026 - October 4, 2026    
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Whatcom Artist Studio Tour
Watercolor Group

Watercolor Group

October 8, 2026    
1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Whatcom Artist Studio Tour - Fall Show (Weekend 2)

Whatcom Artist Studio Tour - Fall Show (Weekend 2)

October 10, 2026 - October 11, 2026    
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Whatcom Artist Studio Tour
Whatcom Art Guild Monthly Meeting

Whatcom Art Guild Monthly Meeting

October 26, 2026    
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Monthly meeting of the Whatcom Art Guild. Guests are welcome to attend and get connected with other local artists, see what we do, and decide [...]
Bellingham Illuminations - Art in a New Light

Bellingham Illuminations - Art in a New Light

October 31, 2026 - November 8, 2026    
11:00 am - 6:00 pm
"Bellingham Illuminations—Art in a New Light" is an immersive experience showcasing both two-dimensional and three-dimensional art unified by the theme of phosphorescence and light. The [...]

Nov 2026

Watercolor Group

Watercolor Group

November 12, 2026    
1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Beneath The Layers: A collection of work by the Collage Connection Group - Opening Reception

Beneath The Layers: A collection of work by the Collage Connection Group - Opening Reception

November 13, 2026    
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Opening Reception for: Beneath the Layers   Art work created by Collage Connection participants which meets once a month at the Whatcom Art Center.
Beneath The Layers: A Collection of work by the Collage Connection Group

Beneath The Layers: A Collection of work by the Collage Connection Group

November 14, 2026 - November 15, 2026    
11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Art work created by Collage Connection participants which meets once a month at the Whatcom Art Center. The work includes mixed media and other forms [...]