A Day in Bellingham (Arts Aficionado Edition)

Welcome to Bellingham, WA; it’s a haven for bicyclists, hikers, and all who love the outdoors. But what if you’re someone who’d rather check out local artisans or take in a local show? We’ve got you covered too. 

What better way to start a sunny Saturday than with an early bite at one of Downtown’s hotspots? We’re fans of Mount Bakery, Avenue Bread (try their Eggenues), and AB Crepes (home of the Alpha-Bet Challenge). Afterward, cruise around town and view Bellingham’s stunning outdoor gallery. 

Street art is a big deal around here (the collection is now more than 80 pieces and Bellingham spends 1% of applicable capital project on public art), and you can get a stop-by-stop tour of half a dozen of our favorite murals on page 28 of the LiveBellinghamNow Summer Guide 2021.

No outdoor art tour in 2023 is complete without stopping by the graffiti wall at the Bellingham Waterfront. Local artist Matt French curates themed art installations on a lengthy stretch of wall that otherwise would just be an ugly construction zone barrier. (Speaking of which, Paper Whale Arts is a community of creatives impacting the artistic vision for the area).

Downtown is bustling every Saturday from 10am-2pm starting in April with the Bellingham Farmers Market. Not only can you pick up a savory lunch, this market hosts more than 40 crafters and creators. You can find everything from pottery to paper prints, to glassworks, to natural dye products, to handmade cooking knives. Depot Market Square also features a custom mural honoring the agricultural core of the market, and was created in recent years by Gretchen Leggitt and Sarah Finger, two prominent local artists.

Now it’s time to swing over to North Forest Street to find a hub of textile arts. Ragfinery is a unique 501(c)(3) nonprofit that diverts textile waste (more than 23 tons in 2022) from landfills, hosts mending and sewing classes, and sells recycled textiles and notions by the pound rather than the yard or unit. I’ve personally made multiple costumes (like this one) with some or much of the textiles sourced from this fantastic space.

Let’s meander through a gallery or two, shall we? The Open House Art Series is a group that collaborates with Downtown and local commercial property owners to use vacant spots for pop-up art galleries; check out their Instagram to see if there’s a current exhibit.

The Whatcom Museum Lightcatcher building hosts rotating art exhibits and also the Family Interactive Gallery. At the FIG, children can interact with fifteen experiences around science, art, literacy, and culture. Did you know: you can get free passes to the Whatcom Museum (as well as the Spark Museum and Mindport Exhibits) from the Bellingham Public Library? Here are all the details. 

Don’t forget to stop by a hub of art & community downtown - the Majestic Art Cafe under the Majestic ballroom on North Forest. Popup live music, BYO art, painting classes, and so much more are to be found here (and if you need art supplies, go see Elli at Art & Happiness on James St - she’s got you covered).

First Fridays is a monthly celebration that showcases local artists and galleries, places to dine and sip, late night shopping, events, live music, and more!” The Downtown Bellingham Partnership and dozens of participating businesses hosts this monthly event - you can pop by everything from Allied Arts to Chameleon Tattoo to Dakota Art Store, Oasis Bead Lounge, Make.Shift Art Space, and so many more!

In addition to our historic Mount Baker Theatre, New Prospect Theatre, Bellingham Theatre Guild, and Bellingham Theatre Works bring all sorts of dramatic works to our community, and our local improv legacy stays strong at the Upfront.  Dance the night away (Lindy Hop style) at the Leopold, or take a turn around the floor at a USA Dance event. 

Discover a new favorite band by attending the semiannual Sugar: A Cabaret, seeing where the Brie Mueller Band or Gallowglass is playing next, or taking in a show at the Blue Room. In the summer, the Elizabeth Park Concert Series offers outdoor enjoyment, and Bellingham’s iconic Downtown Sounds draws thousands of attendees for five weeks of Wednesday night shows that shut down three entire city blocks. 

What are your favorite go-to places for all things artsy in Bellingham? Let us know at team@cohengroupnw.com!

Written by Tiffany Holden without the aid of any AI. All CGNW blog posts are written by real humans in our own words, based on our real experiences living in Whatcom County.