On Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, multiple local Bellingham art establishments kept their doors open late for the 17th consecutive year of the First Friday Art Walk, an event that showcases local artists, artisans and builds community through art. The community in attendance was strong with many people who came through to support the local artists.
According to WhatcomTalk, these First Friday art walks were originally called ‘Gallery Walks,’ and happened four times a year back in the 1980s. In 2009, they eventually transformed into what we now know as First Friday art walks. They continue to uphold the value of giving local artists a place to put their name out, expand their platform along, and meet people who are also passionate about art.
We first visited the Bellingham Queer Collective, where we talked to Bob Pazden, a photography artist.
“I sort of go into a trance when taking photos and that’s the connection to my subject,” Pazden states.
While growing up, Pazden was bullied for his sexuality, which he explained originally stunted his creative expression. Over the years, Pazden grew through different forms of creative expression and started taking photos that explored the intimacy of people, places, and nature.
Visual arts weren’t the only artistic form represented on First Friday. Ritual Records, owned by Cory Blackwood, hosted a small concert in his shop, attended by dozens of young adults.
Three bands were in attendance: Tiny from Anchorage, and Juno Togiak and Birdhouse from Bellingham. Ritual Records provided a stage for these bands and a spot for the audience to gather and enjoy music.
Blackwood grew up in St. Louis and often attended local shows in bars. He explained that liquor laws are different in Bellingham than they are in St. Louis, and the result is that most music venues are 21+ in Bellingham, save for a few such as the Blue Room. Blackwood hopes to host shows for local youth at least monthly, as he wants to create a space where youths can enjoy music without worrying about an age restriction.
Along the art walk we stopped at Brazen, a women-owned independent shop and studio. Owned and managed by Allison Blanquart and Karen Potts, Brazen sells goods made by Bellingham artists.
Brazen sits in the heart of downtown where they hosted local Bellingham landscape artist Lindsey Kiniry, a WWU art major graduate.
Kiniry feels that Bellingham has a vibrant art scene where local artists can find success. She recalls that it took her a while to find her voice, as she did not originally want to be a landscape artist, but rather wanted to make “edgier art.” Eventually, Kiniry settled into what she enjoyed after a long season of burnout.
When asked how young artists with little to no supplies can get started, Kiniry said “to just keep going” and make your own platforms, starting by posting on Instagram, websites, and blogs. Kiniry stressed that it’s important to keep creating and putting it out there, despite the vulnerability in doing so.
Allied Arts of Whatcom County was the next stop, and an integral part to the First Friday Artwalk and new artists. With forty years of supporting artists and serving more than 50,000 people a year, Allied Arts is a nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation with a program that gathers affordable art supplies donated from members of the community and offers them in a low-priced art thrift store.
“[This program] definitely a great option for bridging that financial access gap,” said Allied Arts’ Program Assistant Lily St. Amant. “I think it’s good to just take pressure off yourself in terms of expectations for what your art should be.”
St. Amant is an artist themselves with photography and video work. St. Amant is also a student at WWU, where they study art & media.
Allied Arts Executive Director Kelly Hart has over 20 years of experience in the non-profit business. Hart explained that she tries to carry the mission of the original founders of Allied Arts by providing a place for artists by artists. Hart’s main goal is to support local artists and give them a place to feel welcomed and find the resources to continue their projects.
When asked why she does art, Hart quickly responded with “the people, the community. This community is amazing, and different every walk of life.”
This community she speaks of was readily visible and energized all throughout the downtown area as we walked around, exploring the different art.
“There’s a reason that we hang things on the wall, and a reason that somebody creates it,” explained Hart. And there are plenty of reasons for the adventurous to enjoy a wander downtown on the first Friday of every month.
This piece was written collaborative by Soren Chavez and Lucan Pearson.
This article was initially published in the Horizon’s sixth magazine issue, with a release date of April 22, 2026. Please check out the magazine on the newsstands while copies last!
