When Good Earth Pottery first opened its doors in downtown Fairhaven in 1969, it was a pottery cooperative studio where local ceramicists worked and sold their art through a small gallery. Over time, as the gallery gained a devoted following and required more space, the studio component was removed.
Now, Starflower Studios continues Good Earth’s early art studio legacy.
Photograph by Elsa Ericksen
AnnMarie Cooper, the sole owner of Good Earth since 2019, opened Starflower in February 2025 as a home for working artists in Whatcom County. She considers Starflower, just across the street from the Whatcom Museum, the “downtown branch” of Good Earth, and a full circle moment for this pillar of the local clay community.
“The space, to me, is special, harkening back to the roots of how Good Earth started out as a collaborative studio space. So that’s really beautiful, having that tie in,” Cooper says.
Photograph by Elsa Ericksen
Starflower is a space where artists of all stripes, not just potters, are able to refine their craft and collaborate with other creatives. Currently, four ceramicists, a stained glass artist, and a painter call the studio home. Since Good Earth and Starflower are intertwined, several of these artists also work at Good Earth and sell their work in the gallery.
Cooper knows just how important these opportunities are for working artists. She is a potter herself and got her start with clay after being hired for marketing and sales at Good Earth in 2009.
Photograph by Elsa Ericksen
“My whole community is there. It’s how I found myself as an artist and as a person,” Cooper says. “I love it so much, and I’ve been there for 16 years, and I like the fact that I can do that for other people now. Some of my artists are really well established, and some of them are newer. We do curate a certain quality of work to represent in the gallery, but it’s nice to give people a chance to get started.”
Starflower Studios is a private studio space, but there are still numerous opportunities to engage with these working artists. They open their doors quarterly for Bellingham’s First Fridays, giving the public a chance to meet the artists and shop their work. Starflower is also a stop on the Whatcom Artists of Clay and Kiln Studio Tour, which happens annually.
Photograph by Elsa Ericksen
As the fledgling studio finds its footing, they have plans to expand their community outreach, including hosting weekend workshops and artist-in- residence programs.
“We have this outdoor area, too,” says Cooper, “so we can set up little pop-up markets, do some demonstrations, communicate with the community, and educate them about working artists.”
Photograph by Elsa Ericksen
And of course, stop by Good Earth Pottery any day of the week to see the work of Starflower Studios artists and more. The beloved gallery features the work of more than 40 artists within a 100-mile radius of Bellingham and is a cornerstone of our community’s vibrant arts scene. 120 Prospect St., Ste. 4, Bellingham, 360.671.3998, starflowerbellingham.com
