Whatcom Museum

Calling all art explorers. Engage with current exhibitions through hands-on activities, games, and explorer bags designed for elementary school artists. The Whatcom Museum acknowledges that we gather on the traditional territory of the Lhaq’temish – Lummi People – and the Nuxwsá7aq – Nooksack People – who have lived in the Coast Salish region from time immemorial.

« All Events Old City Hall History Tours One-hour docent-led tours begin on the first floor of Old City Hall (121 Prospect St.), which was built in 1892 and served as Bellingham’s original city hall until the 1930s before becoming home to the Whatcom Museum in 1941. Learn fun facts, quirky trivia, and hear intriguing stories about the colorful characters who once worked and passed through this iconic space.

Join plant ecologist–turned–artist Nicki Lang for an inspiring 3-hour workshop exploring the art of gelli printing with the natural world as your muse. Gelli printing is a beginner-friendly monoprinting technique where you can create layered, one-of-a-kind prints without the use of a heavy press. You’ll begin by coating a flexible gel plate in acrylic paint. Then, choose from a variety of provided plants and textured items like string to arrange on your plate.

Join us at the Family Interactive Gallery (FIG) every second and fourth Thursday of the month, from 2 – 4 pm, for engaging STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) challenges! These creative activities are designed to be fun for the entire family, sparking imagination and learning for all ages. Investigate and identify different kinds of mollusks in our seashell discovery table.

Visit the Artist’s Corner in the Family Interactive Gallery Studio, which focuses on artists from around the world. The Artist’s Corner offers young guests an opportunity to explore a variety of materials and mediums to create art inspired by the featured artist. British artist David Hockney is famous for his bright and colorful paintings of sunny scenes and sparkling swimming pools. His artwork invites us to look closely and find beauty in everyday things.

Visit the Artist’s Corner in the Family Interactive Gallery Studio, which focuses on artists from around the world. The Artist’s Corner offers young guests an opportunity to explore a variety of materials and mediums to create art inspired by the featured artist. British artist David Hockney is famous for his bright and colorful paintings of sunny scenes and sparkling swimming pools. His artwork invites us to look closely and find beauty in everyday things.

Join us at the Family Interactive Gallery (FIG) every second and fourth Thursday of the month, from 2 – 4 pm, for engaging STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) challenges! These creative activities are designed to be fun for the entire family, sparking imagination and learning for all ages. Little scientists are invited to investigate the effects of temperature with color changing slime.

« All Events Member Preview & Reception with the Artists: Luminous Glow Member Preview & Reception with the Artists Join usFriday, July 10, 2026 | 5–7 pm The Lightcatcher | 250 Flora St. | Bellingham, WA Enjoy wine, light hors d’oeuvres, and live music Members, your free guest passes are welcome at the preview, so bring a friend.

Calling all art explorers. Engage with current exhibitions through hands-on activities, games, and explorer bags designed for elementary school artists. In June, explore Personal to Political: Celebrating the African American Artists of Paulson Fontaine Press one last time before it closes at the end of the month. In the studio, we’ll make squiggly still lives inspired by Woody De Othello’s prints in the exhibition.

In the Studio is a self-guided, self-exploratory play-to-learn, make-and-take space for young inquisitive minds to imagine, create, and innovate. Use your solar style this week to make a sweet sun visor. The Whatcom Museum acknowledges that we gather on the traditional territory of the Lhaq’temish – Lummi People – and the Nuxwsá7aq – Nooksack People – who have lived in the Coast Salish region from time immemorial.