Community Calendar

Opening Reception: July 3, 6pm-9pm
1213 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225

Allied Arts of Whatcom County proudly presents "Puzzles in Pigment," an exhibition celebrating the diverse language of abstract art through the work of four distinctive local artists. The show features Brett Sandström's balanced compositions emphasizing mindfulness and simplicity alongside Jake Gombis's large-format conversational paintings that explore both tangible and abstract relationships through pedestrian mediums. Visitors will also experience Lori VanEtta's vibrant acrylic abstracts that breathe life into every space, and Marjie Miller's encaustic pieces created using an ancient Greek technique of fused, melted wax. We regret that artist Mansur Ahmed cannot join us due to border travel limitations.

"Puzzles in Pigment" invites art enthusiasts to immerse themselves in a colorful journey where each artist's unique perspective creates a different piece of an abstract visual puzzle. From Sandström's three decades of artistic exploration to Miller's revival of classical methods, this exhibition showcases the rich diversity of abstract expression while highlighting the creative vibrancy that Allied Arts of Whatcom County cultivates in the region.

Allied Arts is a non-profit gallery, all proceeds from sales go towards supporting the arts in our community.

For more information visit www.alliedarts.org or contact the gallery at 360-676-8548 x102 or gallery@alliedarts.org.

"Echoes, Memories and Curiosities" is an unconventional one-man show of art by Chuck Iffland, an outsider artist whose works spring from his inner visions. The son of painters, musicians and craftsmen — he uses his great-grandfather’s hand tools — Iffland turns his dreams and imaginings into sculptures and prints.
The show, divided into what he calls echoes, memories and curiosities, is open noon to 5 PM daily except Tuesdays. A free opening celebration is set for 5 p.m. Saturday, July 12, and Iffland will do a free Q & A at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 27.
This artist is a free spirit. His degree is in political science, while “I have no art degrees. And I never wanted any art degrees,” says Iffland, who lives and works in rural Chimacum. He infuses his fascinations with archeology, history, borders and the natural world into wood, stone, paper and copper, making what he calls “artifacts of the mind.” His travels, including hikes in the American Southwest and explorations of Belize, also inspire him.

Join us for a fun and relaxed watercolor class where vou'll explore new techniques and experiment with vibrant colors. Perfect for all levels - no prior experience needed!

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

Creative watercolor technique
mixing and blending
Layering
balance between water and pigment

For tweens and teens, ages 9 and older.

Enjoy writing, arts and crafts with free snacks! Join experts from foundry10 as they lead us in these planned activities:

July 2: Found poetry and collage

July 9: Writing and game-play

July 16: Writing, character movement and music

July 30: Cyanotype and writing (if sunny weather); Felt Illustration and writing (if overcast and raining)

August 6: Pom Pom animals and writing (get a free Mini Pom Pom Pets book and activity kit)

August 20: Journaling to music (get a free journal)

Registration not required. 

Join us for a fun and relaxed watercolor class where vou'll explore new techniques and experiment with vibrant colors. Perfect for all levels - no prior experience needed!

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

Creative watercolor technique
mixing and blending
Layering
balance between water and pigment

Visit Pike Place Market every Wednesday this summer for Produce on Pike, our evening farmers market happening July 9 through September 10 from 3–7 p.m. Shop fresh, seasonal produce from local Washington farms, meet the growers, and explore handmade goods. Plus, enjoy live chef demos each week featuring recipes made with the freshest Market ingredients of the week.

The Normandy Park Arts Commission has worked throughout the winter and spring to create an exciting summer music schedule for the annual ‘Music in the Park’ concert series! Every Sunday in July and August at Marvista Park, the City is hosting free concerts starting at 5:00 pm. These concerts are open to the public and feature live music and a theater performance. The summer will culminate with a special jazz music finale in late August featuring This finale will offer an entire afternoon of music with three bands. Bring a picnic blanket or lawn chair and enjoy this fantastic summer lineup in 2025

The series is performed at Kingston Village Green Park. Bring your chairs and listen to wonderful and fun melodies outside in the open air.

July 2: Ranger and the Rearrangers - Hot Club Swing
July 9: Mark Lewis Quartet
July 16:Jump Monkeys - energetic jump blues and swing
July 23: WHOZYAMAMA - Cajun music
July 30: Olympic Serenade string Quartet - stirring classical, movie and show themes
August 6: Mark Dufresne Band - exciting and powerful R&B
August 13: John Greyhound Maxwell Trio - amazing slide guitar, acoustic blues
August 20: Bannister and Maine with their guest artist Roger Ferguson bring folk and Americana tunes with guitar, mandolin and voices
August 27: Singer/songwriter Ben Gage shares his tunes and covers of folks and Americana tunes

June 20 - August 1, 2025 Summer Festival 2025 The World’s Largest Chamber Music Party returns!

This five-week celebration of extraordinary music and first-rate artists presents 12 mainstage concerts at Nordstrom Recital Hall at Benaroya Hall, each including a free pre-concert recital; two outdoor concerts in idyllic parks in Seattle and Bellevue; 18 concerts aboard The Concert Truck; the live music and cooking event Tasting Notes; an exciting variety of community and education programs, and for those who can’t attend in person, the return of our live streaming and on-demand, state-of-the-art Virtual Concert Hall.

Among the renowned artists participating this year are violinists James Ehnes, Elena Urioste and Noah Bendix-Balgley; pianists Yulianna Avdeeva and Inon Barnatan; and cellists Bion Tsang and Sterling Elliott. Highlights include masterpieces by Beethoven, Brahms, Fanny Mendelssohn, Mozart, Schubert, Schumann, and Tchaikovsky; music by important 20th-century composers, such as Mieczysław Weinberg, Rebecca Clarke and Amy Beach; and a selection of lesser-known works handpicked for the festival, including neglected pieces by Mel Bonis, Charlotte Sohy, and Moritz Moszkowski.

FRIDAY HARBOR FILM FESTIVAL SPECIAL EVENT: RESIDENT ORCA AT SAN JUAN COMMUNITY THEATRE

Join us at 7pm on July 16 for an unforgettable evening centered on the extraordinary story of Tokitae—also known as Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut—whose life in captivity sparked a global movement for orca freedom. The acclaimed feature documentary Resident Orca follows the decades-long effort to return Tokitae, a Southern Resident killer whale, to her home in the Salish Sea.

Directed by Sarah Sharkey Pearce and Simon Schneider, Resident Orca traces a powerful alliance of Indigenous matriarchs, scientists, and advocates as they fight to bring Tokitae home from the smallest killer whale tank in North America. Her story serves as a moving lens into both the struggle for cetacean liberation and the broader fight to protect her endangered wild family. Watch the trailer at https://vimeo.com/1095265267/80014e45ed?share=copy.

Following the screening, stay for a dynamic and heartfelt expert panel discussion featuring voices central to the film and to orca conservation today:
• Simon Schneider, Director & Cinematographer of Resident Orca
• Squil-le-he-le (Raynell Morris), Lummi Nation matriarch and Executive Producer
• Dr. Deborah Giles, Whale biologist and leading authority on the Southern Residents
• Dr. Michael Weiss, Research Director, Center for Whale Research

Together, they will offer behind-the-scenes insights and lead a thought-provoking conversation on the ethics of captivity, the future of the Southern Resident orcas, and what we can do—individually and collectively—to protect these deeply intelligent, socially complex beings. This event is more than a film screening—it’s a call to action, a celebration of resilience, and a tribute to Tokitae’s lasting legacy.

Purchase your $15 ticket and reserve your seat at www.fhff.org or come by the FHFF Office at 10 First St. N from1PM - 4PM July 14, 15 or 16 to purchase in-person.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR UPCOMING EVENTS
• 3D Mixed Reality Experience: Step Inside Tokitae’s Reality
In collaboration with the film screening and panel, experience this impactful 3D mixed reality installation available for free guided viewing July 15–17 at various locations on San Juan Island, and July 19–20 on Orcas Island. Locations on both islands to be announced. Originally created by immersive media artist Mark Kyle in 2021 to inspire public support for Tokitae’s release, this immersive experience offers a haunting glimpse into the stark conditions of her captivity. Deeply emotional and visually innovative, Tokitae’s Reality challenges viewers to reflect on the ethics of marine mammal captivity and the urgent need to protect these sentient beings in the wild.
• Best of the Fest presents award-winning documentaries along with Q&As with the films’ directors and subjects. Programs begin at 7 pm.
A Dream Takes Flight – August 22 (Grange/Lopez Library) Hvaldimir – September 12 (SJI Library/Lopez Library)
• FRIDAY HARBOR FILM FESTIVAL – October 23 – 26 in local theatres only. All screenings will offer reserved seating—giving you the freedom to plan your festival your way. Purchase your All Access Pass or Patron Pass with Early Bird pricing through August 20! Check it all out at fhff.org/passes today.
FHFF appreciates the sponsorship of The Journal of the San Juan Islands! Mark your calendar and plan to view the exceptional Best of the Fest documentaries on either San Juan or Lopez Islands!