Looking for some creative fun in Ferndale to get you through the winter?
Join mosaic artist Debbie Dickinson at a Ferndale Arts Commission sponsored community art project. We’ll work together to create elements of a mosaic garden to be installed by Debbie outside the library this Spring. Piece together colorful flowers and leaves using pre-made forms and supplied materials and instruction. FREE and open to all Ferndale residents. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Workshop Details–
Dates: Saturdays, January 12th & 26th, February 9th and 23rd
Times: Drop-in any time between 9:30am and 1pm, workshop ends at 2:30. Expect to spend about an hour on a piece of the mosaic wall creation.
Location: Pioneer Pavilion at Pioneer Park (2007 Cherry Street).
Finished work will become part of the Library Mosaic Project outside of the Ferndale Library. For more information, please call Susan Duncan at (360) 685-2354.
Last night, Andrew Hansen was nominated by Mayor Jon Mutchler to the Ferndale Arts Commission. Hansen, a Windward High School graduate and current Whatcom Community College student, is a local musician and interested in getting involved in Ferndale’s art scene. “I believe art is what gives color to life. It is the essence of our humanity.”
The Ferndale Arts Commission is charged with enhancing the community by advising on public art and community aesthetic enhancement.
The Arts Commission meets at 5 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month in the City Hall Main Conference Room, 2095 Main St.
The City accepts applications for boards and commissions year-round, not just when there is a vacancy. If you feel you have something to contribute, please fill out an application and send it to City Clerk Susan Duncan. You can find the application here.
The Ferndale Arts Commission is calling for artists from across the Pacific Northwest to install murals in downtown Ferndale. Artists are invited to submit designs, that they would then install in downtown Ferndale in the summer of 2019. Mural sizes will vary depending on location but all designs will be vetted by the Ferndale Arts Commission and the appropriate property owner.
“Our goal is to bring new art styles that will complement the area and inspire our community,” said Councilmember Rebecca Xczar, council liaison to the Ferndale Arts Commission.
Interested artists should submit at least one sketch in color, with height and size preferences, along with any relevant previous experience (pictures of prior murals completed or other art projects).
Deadline is November 30th, 2018. Send all submissions to Rebecca Xczar at rebeccaxczar@cityofferndale.org. For more information, please call (360) 319-2677.
There are numerous ways residents of the City of Ferndale can participate to help enhance the community they live in. One such way is volunteering to serve on city advisory bodies that help forum public policy and make Ferndale a prosperous place to be.
We currently have an opening on the Parks, Recreation and Trails Advisory Board (PRTAB), the Arts Commission and there is anticipated to be an opening on the Planning Commission. If you are interested in serving on one of these bodies, please fill out the Boards and Commissions application and submit it to City Clerk Susan Duncan. You can find the application here.
All these meetings are open to the public. Appointments to these advisory bodies are made by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council.
For more information contact the City Clerk Susan Duncan
Email: susanduncan@cityofferndale.org
Phone: (360) 685-2354
Fax: (360) 384-1163
Over the last two weeks, the Ferndale Arts Commission completed its second mural this summer on the City water tank and pump house at 5900 Church Road. The design and layout was done by Arts Commissioner Guyan Cool, Ferndale High School senior, and is called “Dainty Houses”.
“Working with a team of neighbors to create public art is about having fun, making people smile, and building strong community relationships,” said Colleen Harper, who helped organize the project. “I am so grateful to be a Ferndale Art Commissioner, and proud of the FHS students who spent their last few weekends of the summer painting with us.”
Earlier this summer, the Arts Commission installed a mural on the side of the City Annex on Second Avenue, and they are currently exploring other opportunities for public art.
Guyan Cool poses with his design
The Ferndale Arts Commission added a new piece of public art to downtown this weekend with the installation of a mural on the side of the City Annex building (5694 Second Avenue). Designed by local artist Todd Bruce, from Bellingham’s Chameleon Ink, this mural was painted with the help of volunteers and spearheaded by Councilmember Rebecca Xczar.
“Murals are a great way to add beauty to our downtown, brightening our community and drawing new business and interest to our city core,” said Xczar. She hopes that this mural is the first of several. Currently the Arts Commission is reaching out to private property owners to gauge interest for future public art projects downtown.
The City Annex is used for City Council meetings and Ferndale Court, the installation of the mural was done in sections over the last week. For more information about the Ferndale Arts Commission, check out their page and contact information by clicking here.
Artist Todd Bruce and Kyle Deming assemble the design layout
Volunteers begin painting the starburst sections
Councilmembers Greg Hansen, Cathy Watson and Rebecca Xczar assist with the installation
Councilmember Rebecca Xczar, Kyle Deming and Artist Todd Bruce with the completed mural