Hooked by Seaport Books | …

Hooked by Seaport Books | Seaport Books

Nestled along the Swinomish Channel lies Seaport Books—the only bookstore in La Conner. The location in the Seaport Landing Building gives one the illusion of stepping back in time, with its light mint paint color and white trim that has the aesthetic of the early 20th century. While the building may look antique, the bookstore’s co-founders, Marion Melville and Janna Gage, celebrated its eighth year in 2024. Gage grew up in La Conner and spent her childhood without…

Access to Movement for an …

Access to Movement for an Island of Dancers | Orcas Dance Collective

Island life may have a reputation for being laid-back, but it can definitely throw residents some curveballs. Dancer Chelsea Sherman moved to Orcas in 2020, just as the island’s established dance company was disbanding. Looking for connection, collaboration, and work opportunity, she set about laying the groundwork for a new dance collective. “I invited a bunch of dancers…

Theatrical, Botanical Circus …

Theatrical, Botanical Circus Embodies the Wonder of Washington’s Wilderness | Cirque Cadia

The moment you walk into a Pacific Northwest forest, you’ll feel magic in the air. It’s hard not to look under toadstools, inside hollow trunks, or around rocky outcroppings just to see if a curious faerie is there looking back at you. One Bellingham performance company strives to create a world where that flight of fancy comes to life. Cirque…

The Magic in the Messy Middle:…

The Magic in the Messy Middle: Labyrinth Artist Kristen Winn

On Kristen Winn’s left inner wrist is a teal-blue tattoo of an oval seventh-circuit labyrinth, its lines snaking around and around until your eyes almost cross trying to see the path. She got the tattoo 10 years ago, during a time of…

Murals to Make Waves in …

Murals to Make Waves in Bellingham: Noisy Waters Mural Festival

From Gretchen Leggitt’s colorful mountainscapes to Jason LaClair’s Coast Salish designs, street art has played a major role in defining Bellingham’s character. Now, residents can expect to see even more art around town thanks to Noisy Waters Mural Festival, a new annual…

Creating an Inclusive Arts …

Creating an Inclusive Arts Culture in Bellingham: Synapse Gallery

Bellingham’s Bay Street Studios Studios may seem unassuming from the outside looking in, but if you frequent First Friday art walks, you already know that the interior is home to a vibrant (and growing) arts community. This includes Synapse Gallery, a studio/event space that’s…

Finding Identity and Starting …

Finding Identity and Starting Conversations: Remy Coutarel

REMY COUTAREL, A Franco-American artist who has lived in Bellingham since 2017, believes that art can be used to open dialogues. After moving to the U.S. in 2011, exploring aspects of artistic and personal identity in Seattle and Bellingham, and experiencing the naturalization process firsthand, they are ready to start conversations with illustrations and comics. Coutarel grew…

Defining Home with Local Art …

Defining Home with Local Art on the Waterfront

Paper Whale

“The Twins and Kitty …

“The Twins and Kitty Pumpkin”: Local Creatives Publish Children’s Books on Human Rights

Q&A with Author Laurie Noelle and Illustrator Sharon Beth

PNW Art in the Heart of …

PNW Art in the Heart of Skagit Valley

Rexville Grange Art Show

Back Home: Lummi Artists on …

Back Home: Lummi Artists on Lummi Island

Lummi Artists on Lummi Island

Alfredo Arreguín: Brilliant …

Alfredo Arreguín: Brilliant Abstractions at the Museum of Northwest Art

Museum of Northwest Art

A Father’s Depiction of …

A Father’s Depiction of Life at Sea

Q & A with Artist and Fisherman Tom Crestodina

Reflections and Celebrations: …

Reflections and Celebrations: The Poems of Rena Priest

Rena Priest

The Artistry of Mapmaking

Sarah Bell

Continuing Northwestern …

Continuing Northwestern Traditions in Contemporary Art

Smith & Vallee Gallery

The Delightful– and …

The Delightful– and Delicious– World of Food Photography

Katheryn Moran Photography

James Williamson: Lifelong …

James Williamson: Lifelong Graphic Artist

A look into a Ferndale artist’s home studio

A Life Lived Through Art

Rebecca Meloy

Q&A with author Erica …

Q&A with author Erica Bauermeister

Read & Share aims to spread the love of reading while connecting the community through ideas, information, and a nonfiction book by a regional author. This year’s book is “House Lessons: Renovating a Life,” by four-time bestselling author Erica Bauermeister.

What’s In Normiehead’s …

What’s In Normiehead’s Head?

Bellingham artist settles into his York neighborhood studio

Living Life Through a Lens

Gabe Rogel

Connecting Community Through …

Connecting Community Through the Power of Stories

Monica Koller

Sparking Joy and Nostalgia …

Sparking Joy and Nostalgia Through Art

Ciara Sana

Clyde. W Ford

A Bellingham local, Ford has been writing books and managing his own software company for the past 30 years.

The Story Behind the Strings

Dorothy Smith and Allegro Strings

Answer Creek

La Conner writer pens new novel about the Donner Party

Wall-to-Wall Community Charm

Gretchen Leggitt’s murals capture the heart of Bellingham

Seize the Clay

Bellingham potter Linda Stone captures the PNW in her creations

Kasey Potzler, Leather Artist

Leather meets literature in Artist Kasey Potzler’s hand-bound leather books.

Intergenerational Roots

Through poetry, Wong is dissecting her own fears in comparison to her family history.

At 76, Still Learning the Art …

At 76, Still Learning the Art of Photography

Meet Tommy Gibson, a 76-year-old photographer from Whatcom County. Hear his story and inspirations in this Q&A.

Singing in Surgery

This month’s Wonder Woman is Kira Iaconetti, a 20-year-old performer who is two years out from her awake craniotomy.

Local Leader Shatters Stigmas …

Local Leader Shatters Stigmas and Mobilizes Communities

Hear the story behind the founding of Days For Girls International, an organization that aims to increase period education and access to menstrual care for girls around the world.

Write Daily as Needed

Local author Kathryn Trueblood discusses her career as an author and her journey while writing “Take Daily as Needed.”

Baby Cakes Corners the …

Baby Cakes Corners the Bellingham Funk Scene

Nobody puts Baby Cakes in a corner! This nonet is taking the Bellingham Funk scene by storm. Read more about the group and how they got started.

Cutting-Edge Creations

Local artist Lin McJunkin raises climate change awareness through her glasswork creations.

A World of Color

Lori Hill is an award-winning artist currently living in Bellingham, who has been featured in galleries and markets across several states.

Ripple of Positivity

Local visual artist Kevin Coleman is a philanthropist and champion of the arts in Bellingham—read about his work at WhatcomTalk and with local nonprofits.

Finding Peace Amidst the Chaos

Leo E. Osborne is a multi-award-winning artist and writer whose love of nature led him to the Pacific Northwest, where he continues to explore his craft.

A Dynasty of Passion

We take a look at Bellingham local Ryan Sandholm, known around town for his acoustic shows that fuse pop, rock, and country.

Plays With a Purpose

During four weeks of July, for six days a week, Bellingham TheatreWorks is presenting three productions for Fairhaven’s first Summer Repertory Theater.

More Than Just a Mountain Man

Leif Whittaker is a climber, ranger, and author. His new book, “My Old Man and the Mountian,” talks about his childhood and journey summiting Mount Everest.

Female Filmmaker Has Ferndale …

Female Filmmaker Has Ferndale Roots

Sarah Menzies has made her way from Ferndale to Seattle as a filmmaker. Her work will be shown at the Cascadia International Women’s Film Festival.

Internment Camp Inspires …

Internment Camp Inspires Music Composition

Whatcom Chorale presents “Heart Mountain Suite,” a musical composition by Sarah Mattox using journals from Japanese internment camp prisoner, Kara Kondo.

Deming Family Offers New …

Deming Family Offers New Sounds

The McHughs is a local family band. Tim McHugh and his three kids are celebrating their new album, “A Day Will Come,” with a CD release party this Spring.

Mother-son team author ‘…

Mother-son team author ‘Raising Ryan: Living with Autism’

Mother and son duo released their book, “Raising Ryan: Living with Autism” in June of 2018. Sometimes funny, sometimes hear-wrenching, this is their story.

Nature, Chihuly Shape …

Nature, Chihuly Shape Glassmaker

Christopher Morrison is Bellingham’s own Dale Chihuly, creating beautiful glass art pieces inspired by nature. You can find his work at Morrison Glass Art.

Gem of an Archivist

Cataloging, recording, and saving priceless pieces of Bellingham’s history is up to the archivist Jeff Jewell at Whatcom Museum.

Celebrating 20 Years of …

Celebrating 20 Years of Independent Film

The Pickford Film Center is celebrating their 20th anniversary. The movie theater shows independent films and hosts a variety of film festivals every year.

The Summit Conqueror Tells All

Dave Mauro has conquered seven summits and shares his stories in his new book, “The Altitude Journals”. He will be speaking at REI stores across the US.

Stage Set in Bellingham Harbor

The traveling Caravan Stage Co. presents “The Nomadic Tempest” at the Squalicum Marina. The show hopes to spread awareness of the effects of climate change.

Videographer, Environmental …

Videographer, Environmental Advocate

Michael Dyrland of Dyrland Productions uses photography and multimedia to bring environmental issues to the forefront.

Hoping to Shake Up Bellingham&…

Hoping to Shake Up Bellingham’s Art Scene

He created the Rocket Donuts’ rocket in downtown Bellingham and has been a contractor for 25 years designing multimillion-dollar homes in the Pacific Northwest. Now, Alexei Ford has just opened Ruckus, a downtown art gallery just a stone’s throw from the Bellingham Farmers Market. Ruckus prides itself on combining an authenticity of the West with a modern organic appeal and…

An Aerial Photographer’…

An Aerial Photographer’s Perspective

Tore Ofteness has been a local photographer for more than 30 years. Born in Norway, Ofteness, 72, lives in Bellingham. Now all but retired, Ofteness recently published the book, “A Higher Perspective: Aerial Photography of the Pacific Northwest,” through Village Books’ Chuckanut Editions. It documents…

Out of This World

Unidentified flying objects are personal for Bellingham artist Trish Harding. A Lummi Island native and Bellingham resident, she says she has seen UFOs twice in her lifetime, once on Lummi as a child and also as a young adult off the island. With that partly in mind, she named her downtown workplace Studio UFO. From that studio last year, she won a…

Pacific Northwest Whimsy

As a Bellingham native, professional painter Ben Mann has spent much of his life capturing the whimsy of the Pacific Northwest. His paintings are bold with color, yet soft with their overall simplicity. It is hard to imagine…

Western Washington student …

Western Washington student Breezy Johnson Named to Olympic Team and Goes on a Tear

Change skier Breezy Johnson’s status from “Olympic hopeful” to South Korea-bound. In an update to our story in the February edition of Bellingham Alive (p. 68), the Western Washington University sophomore, who grew up in Victor, Idaho – and has yet to ski Mount Baker, Western’s “home” mountain – has been named to the 2018 U.S. Olympic team that will compete in Pyeongchang, South Korea, when the Games run Feb. 8-25. (The February magazine went to…

Bringing Soothing Sounds of …

Bringing Soothing Sounds of Song to the Dying

Threshold Singers Since 2007, the Bellingham Threshold Singers have been providing soothing sounds for people who are seriously ill or dying. These…

Exploring the Human Condition …

Exploring the Human Condition Through Art

Bellingham has its artistic success stories (Death Cab for Cutie, comedian Ryan Stiles), but it also has its grassroots luminaries. Author, poet, and radio producer Shannon Laws is one. She has the privilege of not only being one of many talented Bellingham artists, but possesses a passion…

Whimsical Driftwood Sculptures

Joe Treat If you drive down Worline Road in Bow you’ll pass a house guarded by life-sized driftwood statues. A massive rhino stares down all who enter the driveway with reflective black eyes. The porch is bookended with two…

An Artful Approach to …

An Artful Approach to Storytelling

Chris Moench It all started with a lump of clay. While Chris Moench hasn’t always been a professional potter, art has always been a strong force in his life and now occupies him as a full-time career. Moench has made a name for himself with his handcrafted Axis of Hope Prayer Wheels. The ornate…

Play on Wheels

Western Washington University Summer Theatre With the vast amount of outdoor activities available to Pacific Northwest residents in summer, theater-going is rarely at the top of the list. From hiking to windsurfing to jumping in the bay, being outdoors is a priority in our short summer months. So Western Washington University’s Summer Theater program decided to integrate the best of both worlds — riveting entertainment in…

Pet Photographer Diane Padys

Diane Padys wasn’t always on track to become a photographer. “Photography was always a passionate hobby of mine from college,” she said. Padys spent a number of years working as a staff accountant in San Francisco before she decided to take her passionate hobby and turn it into a career. Today, she runs her own photography business in Bellingham and has a number of awards for…

Actress Kayleigh Finnegan

Not every 8-year-old has to worry about inviting their third-grade teacher to their movie premiere. But for Kayleigh Finnegan, it was a real predicament. “Where do you have to make sure you end up the next day?” her father,…

Children’s Songwriter …

Children’s Songwriter Dana Cohenour

As Dana Cohenour’s children’s music class let out, the smiles were in abundance. The students, about 4 to 5 years old, thanked their teacher and ran to their parents. Cohenour happily says goodbye to her students. “See you guys next time!” Cohenour is a nationally recognized children’s songwriter and performer who has released six studio albums and won 20 awards so…

Spotlight Film

Documentaries, directors in focus at Cascadia International Women’s film festival Since high school, Natalie Fedak has had stories she’s wanted to tell. She started off writing screenplays and…

Spotlight Writer: Holly Barbo

We all have our ways of escape, whether it is in a guilt-inducing TV show, a long jog, or maybe a glass of wine. For artist and author Holly Barbo it is writing fantasy and thriller novels that keep her sane in what can seem, especially lately, like an upsidedown world. Her passion for writing started to pick up after the recession hit and the family furniture store fell…

Spotlight Artist: Katie …

Spotlight Artist: Katie Johnson

Katie Johnson did not plan on becoming an artist when she started at Western Washington University. Johnson’s work was featured last year in a show at Aslan Brewing Co., but she’s known mostly for the Brewdeck, a 60-piece set of cards featuring portraits of the luminaries of the Bellingham craft beer scene….

New Sipping Grounds for This Beach Cat | Beach Cat Brewing

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