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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New Moon Sound Healing
April 27, 2025    
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Immersive sound bath with crystal bowls, handpan and gong for deep healing, and transformation.     Class size: 22 Age Groups: All ages Art Medium:...
Healing Through Art
April 28, 2025    
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Discover the power of art as a tool for relaxation, mindfulness, and personal growth.  No experience needed—just come, create, and unwind with us!
Whatcom Art Guild Monthly Meeting
April 28, 2025    
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Monthly meeting of the Whatcom Art Guild. This month's special guest is Forrest Chel, Pyrography Artist! Based in Birch Bay, Forrest Chel presents their art,...
WAG Portrait Group
April 29, 2025    
9:30 am - 1:00 pm
Our Portrait Group offers a wonderful opportunity to hone your skills in life drawing or painting. Each session features one pose, broken into three 20-minute sessions with short breaks, plus...
Healing Through the Lens: A Photography-Based Personal Growth Course
Join me for a six-week guided course exploring how photography can be a tool for self-reflection, mindfulness, and creative expression. Through themed photography exercises, participants...
Silk Scarf painting class
May 3, 2025    
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
In this class, we will be painting on a medium-weight, 100% silk scarf with a hand sewn rolled edge. The fabric has a wonderfully smooth...
Happy Little Fundraiser - A Bob Ross Inspired Celebration
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...
May 6, 2025    
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Monthly meeting of the WAG Mixed Media special interest group
Healing Through the Lens: A Photography-Based Personal Growth Course
Join me for a six-week guided course exploring how photography can be a tool for self-reflection, mindfulness, and creative expression. Through themed photography exercises, participants...
May 8, 2025    
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Monthly recurring meeting of the WAG Watercolor special interest group
WAG Fiber Arts Group
May 12, 2025    
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Monthly recurring meeting of the WAG Fiber Arts special interest group. Please bring whatever fiber arts project you are working on.
Healing Through the Lens: A Photography-Based Personal Growth Course
Join me for a six-week guided course exploring how photography can be a tool for self-reflection, mindfulness, and creative expression. Through themed photography exercises, participants...
Make the Most of your Cell Phone Photography: From Basic to Creative
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...
Art in the Garden – Petals as Paint
May 17, 2025    
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Spend a beautiful day creating art inspired by the garden! In , you'll explore the beauty of working with real flowers as both pigment and...
Night Skies with Embroidery Painting and Beading
In this class we will use paint and textiles to make a picture of an evening or sunset sky with trees! We will first use...
Healing Through Art
May 19, 2025    
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Monthly recurring meeting of the WAG Healing Arts special interest group. We will continue exploring Neurografica Art.     
Whatcom Art Guild Monthly Meeting
May 19, 2025    
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Monthly meeting of the Whatcom Art Guild. This meeting special guests are artist duo Lori Marshall of ZenWrockz and Swil Kanim violinist/keynote speaker. Lori Marshall...
WAG Portrait Group
May 20, 2025    
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Monthly recurring meeting of the WAG Portrait special interest group. Please bring $10 to contribute to the model fee.
Healing Through the Lens: A Photography-Based Personal Growth Course
Join me for a six-week guided course exploring how photography can be a tool for self-reflection, mindfulness, and creative expression. Through themed photography exercises, participants...
From the Mountains to the Sea - Student Art Exhibit
The theme is “From the Mountains to the Sea”, encouraging students to explore and depict the beauty of our region’s landscapes, from the peaks of...
Artists Reception for "From the Mountains to the Sea" Student Art Exhibit
Please join us for a festive Artists Reception as part of this Student Art Exhibit, where students will be honored and celebrated. All students, parents,...
From the Mountains to the Sea - Childrens Art Exhibit
The theme is “From the Mountains to the Sea”, encouraging students to explore and depict the beauty of our region’s landscapes, from the peaks of...
Events on April 27, 2025
New Moon Sound Healing
27 Apr 25
Bellingham
Events on April 28, 2025
Healing Through Art
28 Apr 25
Bellingham
Whatcom Art Guild Monthly Meeting
28 Apr 25
Bellingham
Events on April 29, 2025
WAG Portrait Group
29 Apr 25
Bellingham
Events on April 30, 2025
Events on May 3, 2025
Silk Scarf painting class
3 May 25
Bellingham
Events on May 4, 2025
Events on May 6, 2025
06 May
6 May 25
Bellingham
Events on May 8, 2025
08 May
8 May 25
Bellingham
Events on May 12, 2025
WAG Fiber Arts Group
12 May 25
Bellingham
Events on May 14, 2025
Events on May 15, 2025
Events on May 17, 2025
Events on May 18, 2025
Events on May 19, 2025
Healing Through Art
19 May 25
Bellingham
Whatcom Art Guild Monthly Meeting
19 May 25
Bellingham
Events on May 20, 2025
WAG Portrait Group
20 May 25
Bellingham
Events on May 21, 2025
Events on May 25, 2025

Oct 2025

09 Oct

WAG Watercolor Group

October 9, 2025    
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Monthly recurring meeting of the WAG Watercolor special interest group
Studio Tour

Studio Tour

October 11, 2025 - October 12, 2025    
10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Studio Tour weekend to highlight Artists in Residence at the Center
WAG Fiber Arts Group

WAG Fiber Arts Group

October 13, 2025    
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Monthly recurring meeting of the WAG Fiber Arts special interest group
The Possibilities of a Question-Driven Approach to Life

The Possibilities of a Question-Driven Approach to Life

October 18, 2025    
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
A master class in the basic understandings and practices of the Question-Driven Mind. Experience level: No experience required Age groups: Adults Class size: 25 Cost: [...]
Sparkle & Shine: DIY Wire Earrings to Wear or Gift

Sparkle & Shine: DIY Wire Earrings to Wear or Gift

October 18, 2025    
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Ramp up your Holiday Cheer in this class that teaches you how to make several types of earrings using wire and small stone beads or [...]
Gel Printing and a Concertina Book (class 1 of 2)

Gel Printing and a Concertina Book (class 1 of 2)

October 19, 2025    
1:30 pm - 4:30 pm
This is the first class of a two-part class scheduled for two afternoons: Oct 19, 1:30-4:30: The first afternoon, we will make one of a [...]
Gel Printing and a Concertina Book (class 2 of 2)

Gel Printing and a Concertina Book (class 2 of 2)

October 26, 2025    
1:30 pm - 4:30 pm
This is the second class of a two-part class scheduled for two afternoons: Oct 19, 1:30-4:30: The first afternoon, we will make one of a [...]
WAG Healing Through Art Group

WAG Healing Through Art Group

October 27, 2025    
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Monthly recurring meeting of the WAG "Healing Through Art" special interest group
Whatcom Art Guild Monthly Meeting

Whatcom Art Guild Monthly Meeting

October 27, 2025    
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 [...]
WAG Portrait Group

WAG Portrait Group

October 28, 2025    
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Monthly recurring meeting of the WAG Portrait special interest group
29 Oct

PAM Meeting

October 29, 2025    
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Illuminations Setup

Illuminations Setup

October 30, 2025 - October 31, 2025    
All Day
Block out time for setup of Illuminations

Nov 2025

Bellingham Illuminations - Art in a New Light

Bellingham Illuminations - Art in a New Light

November 1, 2025 - November 9, 2025    
11:00 am - 6:00 pm
"Bellingham Illuminations—Art in a New Light" will be an immersive experience showcasing both two-dimensional and three-dimensional art unified by the theme of phosphorescence and light. [...]
WAG Fiber Arts Group

WAG Fiber Arts Group

November 10, 2025    
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Monthly recurring meeting of the WAG Fiber Arts special interest group
Fast and Fun Bracelet

Fast and Fun Bracelet

November 12, 2025    
1:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Students will make a beginner level bracelet. Art Medium: Glass beads Age Groups: Adult/Senior Cost: Free for Project Neighborly Class size: 6 Instructor: Liz Cunningham [...]
12 Nov

PAM Meeting

November 12, 2025    
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
13 Nov

WAG Watercolor Group

November 13, 2025    
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Monthly recurring meeting of the WAG Watercolor special interest group
21 Nov

Sharing Mythologies

November 21, 2025    
11:00 am - 10:00 pm
For this exhibit we asked artists to share their perceptions and interpretations of the mythologies that surround us every day. Whether they are personal myths, [...]
22 Nov

Sharing Mythologies

November 22, 2025 - November 23, 2025    
11:00 am - 6:00 pm
For this exhibit we asked artists to share their perceptions and interpretations of the mythologies that surround us every day. Whether they are personal myths, [...]
WAG Healing Through Art Group

WAG Healing Through Art Group

November 24, 2025    
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Monthly recurring meeting of the WAG "Healing Through Art" special interest group