Arts Commission

The Ferndale Arts Commission is collaborating with the Lhaq’temish Foundation to complete a Coast Salish mural project on the west side of the Pioneer Pavilion.
The whole project is planned to be complete by the end of summer of 2022. Two smaller murals are being completed this year as part of the larger project, the first of which is nearly finished and will be wrapped up early this week.

Jason LaClair is a 38 year old member of Lummi Nation. His design on the Pavilion is called “One From the Heart.” Jason has been practicing in the Northwest Coast Style for over 20 years, mainly focusing on creating logo designs for many Tribal entities in both Nooksack and Lummi. Jason has wanted to paint murals in Whatcom County to ensure the First Peoples of Whatcom and the Coast Salish Communities are recognized, as well as their Coast Salish ancestors. Jason has completed several murals before and is collaborating with Gretchen Leggit on an upcoming  mural for the City of Bellingham as well.

“The Ferndale Arts Commission is grateful to work with Jason and bring his art to the Pioneer Pavilion project” said Rebecca Xczar, Ferndale Arts Commission Chairperson. “We are so excited to bring this Coast Salish project to the Pioneer Pavilion, and we deeply appreciate the collaboration with the Lhaq’temish Foundation.”  

The second mural piece is planned to begin this week.

The city has a number of Boards and Commissions that work to advise the council on a broad array of subjects. These are volunteer positions but absolutely essential to providing quality input to the city decision-making process.

There are currently vacancies on the Arts Commission. The Arts Commission is charged with enhancing the community by advising on public art and community aesthetic enhancement. Examples of the Arts Commission’s recent events include: Star Park Revitalization, Yarn Art at Griffintown Park, the Downtown Mural Project, Zoom Painting Class, Zoom Murder Mystery, and many more! To apply for one of the vacancies, please fill out this application and email it to City Clerk Susan Duncan at susanduncan@cityofferndale.org. You don’t need to be an artist to be a part of this commission!

UPDATE: Deadline for submissions extended to July 9th, 2021.

The Ferndale Arts Commission is calling for a Coast Salish artist to install a mural in downtown Ferndale. Artists are invited to submit designs that they would then install in downtown Ferndale in the summer of 2021. To honor the original caretakers of the area, the FAC wishes to have a mural installed by a Coast Salish artist. The FAC is partnering with the Lhaq’temish Foundation to create a piece of art at Pioneer Park.

Mural is to be installed on the west side of the Pioneer Pavilion. The size will be a minimum of 700sf but could cover the entire side, with the exception of the windows; full side designs are encouraged. All designs will be vetted by the Ferndale Arts Commission and the Lhaq’temish Foundation. 
“The Ferndale Arts Commission has installed 12 murals as part of the Downtown Mural Project since 2018, from a variety of artists and volunteers. Our goal for this mural is to collaborate with a Coast Salish artist to bring this acknowledgement to the Pioneer Pavilion” said Rebecca Xczar, Chairperson of 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 for submission is June 25th, 2021. Send all submissions to Rebecca Xczar at ferndaleartscommission@gmail.com. For more information, please call (360) 319-2677.