Arts Commission

Arts Commission to Host Interactive Murder Mystery Party on May 14th

Join the Ferndale Arts Commission for a free interactive murder mystery party at 7pm on May 14th.

It is 1933 and Ferndale dairy farmer Jerry Jonsteen has been found dead in his barn. Detective James Wells, Ferndale’s only police officer has rounded up the suspects and needs your help solving the case.

Interview suspects, decipher clues and unravel this mystery from the comfort of your home as local actors bring this original story to life.

To sign up and receive the Zoom link – send an email to rileysweeney@cityofferndale.org. As you can imagine, this interactive performance involves a murder so it may not be appropriate for young children but teens and adults welcome.

April 7, 2021

Free Crochet Yarn Art Class Hosted by Arts Commission

The Ferndale Arts Commission is planning a yarn art installation, to be installed in the spring, and are looking for public participation.

Crocheted yarn art will be installed on the tree trunks in Griffintown Park. Sections of the yarn art will be created by the public and then collected by the FAC, for future installation.

We will be kicking off the project with a crochet zoom class to make the yarn art sections, Saturday, January 30th, at 3:00pm. Supplies are available for pick-up at City Hall, and limited to 50 participants. Please email Susan Duncan, at susanduncan@cityofferndale.org to sign up.

Northwest Yarns (https://nwyarns.com/) will be teaching the zoom class, and they have generously given the Arts Commission a discount on supplies.

January 20, 2021

Free Decorative Rock Painting Class from the Arts Commission

Want to paint beautiful rocks for your garden, landscaping or just to give as gifts?

Local artist Bryna Sweeney will be teaching a free Rock Painting class via Zoom on Jan. 9th at 2:30pm courtesy of the Ferndale Arts Commission.

Participants will need their own brushes, a flat rock and a few colors of acrylic paint to participate. A limited supply of brushes, paints and rocks are available for free upon request.

To register for this class and receive the Zoom link or for any questions, please email Susan Duncan at SusanDuncan@cityofferndale.org.

December 30, 2020

Free Zoom Painting Class with the Ferndale Arts Commission

UPDATE 11/19/2020: The class has filled up but if you still want to participate using your brushes and canvas, you are welcome to register and follow along.

WHAT:  The Ferndale Arts  Commission is hosting a Zoom Painting Class

WHO:  The class will be led by local artist Sandy Peppar

WHEN:  Saturday, November 28, from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

WHERE: This is a virtual event that you can attend from the comfort of your own home

TO REGISTER: Email Susan Duncan at susanduncan@cityofferndale.org with your name, phone number and email address. Supplies will be available to pick up at the City Hall parking lot. You will be provided a time for pick-up once you’ve registered. Registration is limited to 55 participants, so don’t delay, sign up today!

HOW MUCH:  It’s free!!! All of the supplies needed to complete the painting pictured above will be provided

November 18, 2020

Latest Downtown Mural Celebrates Local Flora and Fauna

The Ferndale Arts Commission has completed its latest downtown mural and the final one for 2020. The newest piece, titled “Tennant Lake” was painted by local artist Kelly Hoekema and is a celebration of local flora and fauna. It can be found on the side of FrinGe Brewing, facing Alder St.

“I love that I get to be part of a town that truly enjoys the arts.” said Hoekema. This is the fifth mural completed in 2020 and the twelfth mural completed as part of the Downtown Mural Project.

Artist Kelly Hoekema
November 17, 2020

Additional Murals Added to City Hall Campus by Arts Commission

The Ferndale Arts Commission has completed two more murals located on the vacant building adjacent to City Hall and the Library. These murals were installed by local artist Todd Bruce who submitted serval designs to the Arts Commission. This final concept was selected as the favorite by the Mayor and City Staff.

“The goal was to create another interactive mural, similar to the umbrella mural painted last summer,” said Arts Commission Chair Rebecca Xczar. “We encourage everyone to use this mural as an interactive backdrop for their own pictures.”

To learn more about the Downtown Mural Project, the public is invited to attend the Ferndale Arts Commission meetings. More details can be found here.

Mural in process with artist Todd Bruce
November 5, 2020

Arts Commission Adds New Mural to Downtown Ferndale

New Mural on Alder St

Arts Commission Adds New Mural to Downtown Ferndale

The Ferndale Arts Commission has completed their latest mural in downtown. This new art piece is on the back of the Washington Federal bank building facing Alder Street and was installed by local artist and Ferndale resident Jennifer Dunn.

“I didn’t know it would be a goal of mine to bring joy on this level to a town, let alone the town I’ve had the pleasure of being a resident for two decades,” said Dunn. “I sincerely hope this lighthearted mural filled with fish, joy and a fun change in perspective brings as much joy to our community as I had in creating it.”

The Ferndale Arts Commission has added several new murals to the Downtown Core over the last two years and has a few more murals currently in progress. The murals have been funded with private donations, a Project Neighborly grant from the Whatcom Community Foundation and city funds.

For more information on local artist Jennifer Dunn, check out her Instagram page here or see more of her pieces available in FrinGe Brewing.

More pictures available here:

  • Painting in progress
November 3, 2020

Arts Commission Brings New Mural to Downtown Ferndale

The Ferndale Arts Commission has commissioned a new mural at 2050 Vista in the heart of Downtown Ferndale. This new piece by local artist Matt French is titled “Train Terrain” and was funded by the Ferndale Arts Commission with assistance from the building owner. 

French shares a special connection with Ferndale. His uncle actually worked in this building when it was a machine shop and French’s early awakening as an artist has roots in Ferndale. In his youth, he was arrested in Ferndale for graffiti. While he served his brief jail time, he drew on envelopes which lead to his envelope art getting published in Thrasher Magazine, a skateboarding publication. He has been the art director at Pocket Pistols Skateboards for the last 15 years. His work includes designing shoes for Nike, creating collections for Volcom and Vans, and a standing-room-only art show in Tokyo. Next year, he will be returning to Tokyo to promote SK8FACE, a movie on the history of skateboard art which is coming to Netflix next year.  

The Ferndale Arts Commission has added eight murals to the downtown core in the last two years to bring life, interest and beauty to Ferndale. They are looking for future locations. Interested building owners or artists can contact City Clerk Susan Duncan for more details.  

July 10, 2020

Arts Commission Installs Illuminated Bird Installation

At the intersection of Washington St. and Vista Avenue

This weekend, the Ferndale Arts Commission installed a brand new temporary art installation on the corner of Washington Street and Vista Avenue. Former Councilmember Rebecca Xczar and Arts Commissioner Kyle Deming filled the tree with solar-powered illuminated birds transforming the tree into an art piece.

The Arts Commission is currently looking for more members to help add arts to our community. For more information, click here.

February 18, 2020

City Boards and Commissions Seek Volunteers

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.

To apply for one of these positions, please fill out this application and email it to City Clerk Susan Duncan at susanduncan@cityofferndale.org. Click the links below to learn more about each board or commission.

Here are the positions currently seeking volunteers:

October 17, 2019
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