Whatcom Museum

06/01/2026

You've admired wire-wrapped jewelry. Now make your own.

Join artist Carol Sheppard on Saturday, June 13 (12 – 4 pm) for Introduction to Wire Sculpted Jewelry at the Whatcom Museum. In this hands-on four-hour workshop, you'll choose your own polished stone, learn foundational wire-wrapping techniques using sterling silver wire, and leave with a finished, ready-to-wear pendant that's entirely yours.

No experience needed. Just curiosity and a bit of hand dexterity.

Registration includes museum admission, all materials, and a set of miniature jewelry pliers to take home so you can keep creating after class.

Carol has been selling her wire-wrapped pendants as wearable art since 2016 and has taught at Whatcom Community College, the Whatcom Art Center, and the La Conner Artists' Co-op. She's known for helping students build real confidence with foundational techniques from the very first session.

Museum Members: $90 | Public: $100

Register here: https://bit.ly/4vjvkf0

05/30/2026

We're thrilled to share some big news: the Whatcom Museum Foundation's Board of Trustees has selected Jessica Borusky (they/them) as the Whatcom Museum's new executive director, effective July 1, 2026.

Jessica joins us from the Pratt Fine Arts Center in Seattle, where they served as executive director. They also bring a rich background as executive and artistic director at Living Arts of Tulsa, gallery director at the University of North Florida, and a history of curating public art and performances in Kansas City, MO.

"Jessica brings energy, collaborative leadership, strategic vision, and a deep understanding of the important role museums play in strengthening and elevating communities." — Board of Trustees President Rafeeka Kloke

"Jessica's professional philosophy is rooted in equitable access to art, which is mirrored by the Whatcom Museum's founding as a museum of and for our community." — Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund

We also extend our deep gratitude to Maria Coltharp for her dedicated service as acting executive director this past year.

Read the full press release here: https://bit.ly/4u35fjm

05/30/2026

"Where are the birds??" — a junior ornithologist with a very specific agenda

Third floor, Old City Hall. All of them.

The John M. Edson Hall of Birds has been a permanent fixture at Whatcom Museum since the Victorian Era, when taxidermy was basically interior decorating. The collection is also, not incidentally, the reason Old City Hall is still standing. When city officials were considering demolishing the building, John M. Edson saw an opportunity: save the building, install the birds, make it a museum. And here we are.

Today the Hall of Birds, developed in collaboration with the North Cascades Audubon Society, covers bird migration, conservation, birds in peril, and why studying specimens still matters. There are also video clips, audio files of Puget Sound bird calls, and hands-on activities for kids who ask exactly the right questions.

121 Prospect St., third floor. Wednesday through Sunday, 12 to 5pm.

Got a question you've overheard at the museum? Drop it in the comments.

05/29/2026

Still on the fence? Here's your nudge.

Tomorrow — Saturday, May 30, 11 am to noon at The Lightcatcher — author Tara Campbell leads a free creative writing workshop inspired by works in "Personal to Political: Celebrating the African American Artists of Paulson Fontaine Press."

You'll develop a draft poem, pick up techniques for exploring art through writing, and walk away seeing galleries a little differently. Seats are limited and registration is required.

Reserve your spot: https://bit.ly/4wZXCNr

05/20/2026

Tomorrow at the Whatcom Museum: Exhibition Explorers returns!

Join us Thursday, May 21 from 2–4 PM for an afternoon designed for elementary-age art explorers. This month's adventure takes you inside "Painted Forest: The Art and Science of Petrified Wood."

Start at the Lightcatcher studio (250 Flora St.) to create a painted tree ring craft and learn about the brilliant crystals that give petrified wood its color. Then make your way to Old City Hall (121 Prospect St.) to see the exhibition and get hands-on with scales and microscopes as you discover how wood transforms into stone over millions of years.

Included with admission. Free for members. Explorer bags provided!

05/16/2026

We love seeing our team in the spotlight! This Cascadia Daily News piece features Whatcom Museum’s own Todd Warger and Photo Archivist Jeff Jewell, whose deep knowledge of local history brings stories like the Mount Baker Marathon back to life. Give it a read, and come explore more of Bellingham’s past with us.

Mount Baker Marathon had intrigue, politics and 'all kinds of strife

05/14/2026

Dinger is coming to the museum TODAY! (5/14) 🐹⚾

The Bellingham Bells' mascot will be in the Family Interactive Gallery at 3:30 PM — stop by and say hi!

Psst: the Whatcom Museum is also a participating attraction in Dinger's Play Pass this summer. More details at bellinghambells.com.

📸 Photo courtesy of Bellingham Public Schools

05/02/2026

Tickets are on sale now for Summer Sunset Cruises 2026!

Set sail on Bellingham Bay every Tuesday, July 7 through August 25. This season features returning favorite Kolby LaBree of the Good Time Girls sharing local history and Bellingham Bay lore, plus two special cruises: a geology cruise with WWU's Colin Amos, Ph.D., and a family storytelling cruise honoring Coast Salish tradition with Julie Trimingham, Tammy Cooper-Woodrich, and Angela Letoi.

Cruises depart at 6 PM from the Bellingham Cruise and Ferry Terminal, 355 Harris Ave. Tickets must be purchased by noon the day of your cruise.

Members: $50 | Public: $60 | Children 5 and under: Free with registration

Reserve online anytime [https://bit.ly/summer-sunset-cruises] or in person at the museum store, 250 Flora St., Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 5 PM.

05/01/2026

Today is Free First Friday at the Whatcom Museum, and we are celebrating three years of the LEGO® Festival in a big way. 🧱

The full day is free and open to all ages. Swipe through the images for the complete schedule, and keep this in mind before you head out:

The Lightcatcher Building (250 Flora St.) opens at 10 am with morning music classes and gallery tours. Old City Hall (121 Prospect St.) opens at noon. The Community LEGO® Competition Gallery, LEGO® friendship bracelet making, and the 6 pm winner reveal with local LEGO® Masters contestants Brad Bergman and Mike Tarrant are all at Old City Hall, so plan to arrive there after 12 pm.

The evening wraps up with live music from Limited Addition at 6:30 pm.

Free admission. All ages welcome.

See you today! Full schedule at the link: https://www.whatcommuseum.org/free-first-friday/

04/22/2026

Slow down and make something deeply yours. On May 2, join Olympia-based artist Aisha Harrison for "Introduction to Touch Drawing," a full-day workshop at the Lightcatcher Studio.

Touch drawing is a meditative process of pressing hands into oil paint layered between a board and tissue paper, developed by Deborah Koff-Chapin of the Center for Touch Drawing in Langley, WA. Aisha uses the practice to connect to inner knowing and develop ideas in their own sculptural work, and they'll guide you through it here.

The day begins with a viewing of "Personal to Political: Celebrating the African American Artists of Paulson Fontaine Press," followed by guided journaling prompts that will shape your drawings. You'll leave with a finished 6×6-inch collage, mounted and ready to hang.

All materials and museum admission included.
📅 Saturday, May 2 | 10 am – 4 pm
📍 The Lightcatcher Studio, 250 Flora St.
🎟️ $140 members / $160 public

Register here: https://f25197.myshopify.com/products/introduction-to-touch-drawing