Residents and visitors alike may now enjoy some new public art along Ferndale’s streets. The Ferndale Arts Commission has installed several vinyl wraps on the public utility boxes located around the city with designs donated by local artists.
Local artists Lara Johnson, Justin Ketah, Todd Bruce, Monica Davis Altona and Jennifer Yates all contributed artwork to the vinyl wrap project, along with a replica of a mural created by the Ferndale Arts Commission. This artwork was reproduced onto vinyl wraps by Ferndale’s own TNT Signs and installed this week on utility boxes around the City.
“Public art transforms mundane spaces into something more, a place to love and treasure,” said Councilmember Ali Hawkinson, who serves as council liaison to the Ferndale Arts Commission. “We are proud to highlight some of the fantastic local artists who live and work in Ferndale.”
Seven utility boxes in the City of Ferndale have been decorated and are available for viewing throughout the city. Pictures of the pieces are available on the City’s social media channels.
Ferndale Arts Commission to Host “Art in Action!” Creativity Exhibition on July 9th
Free Art Show and Sale! Join us for Art in Action on Sat. July 9th from 2PM-6PM at the Pioneer Pavilion.
Watch local artists build, paint, and create their pieces before your very eyes! Learn about the creative process and purchase art directly from local vendors.
Event hosted by the Ferndale Arts Commission. For questions or to participate as an artists, please email FerndaleArtsCommission@gmail.com
Vinyl Wrap Example from Bellingham
The Ferndale Arts Commission is seeking designs that can be reproduced as a vinyl wrap and applied to traffic signal boxes throughout the City.
This opportunity is open to amateur and professional artists of all levels, working in any medium, as long as the final artwork can be translated and digitally reproduced on a 2-dimensional vinyl wrap. The project is designed to enhance the public realm by adding works of art by local artists to utilitarian surfaces that are often targeted by vandalism.
The wrapped boxes are intended to enhance neighborhood and community identity, turn ordinary spaces into community landmarks, and promote community dialogue.
The deadline for submissions is 7/31. There is no honorarium for this community engagement project. Artists are welcome to submit more than one design; there is potential for more than one design to be selected from an artist.
Templates are available for download here as a pdf. Illustrator file available upon request.
For questions and final submissions, please email FerndaleArtsCommission@gmail.com.
To register for the Zoom class, email FerndaleArtsCommission@gmail.com.
Learn basic felting techniques and make your own dryer balls with a free class on January 29th at 11AM from the Ferndale Arts Commission and Northwest Yarns.
All materials provided for the first 100 participants who sign up.
Send an email to FerndaleArtsCommission@gmail.com to register for the class and receive the Zoom link
The Ferndale Arts Commission, in collaboration with the Lhaq’temish Foundation, has completed two new murals on the west side of the Pioneer Pavilion in Pioneer Park. The murals were designed and painted by local artists Jason LaClair and Yolanda Felix-Wilbur and pay tribute to the shared history of Ferndale and the Lummi Nation.
“You cannot tell the history of Ferndale without beginning with the Lummi Nation,” said Mayor Greg Hansen, “and what better place for that than Pioneer Park?”
LaClair’s piece is titled “One From the Heart” and speaks to the shared love of all people, especially during the challenges of the pandemic. Felix-Wilbur’s piece tells the story of the Lummi Nation itself and their canoe journey.
Both murals are available for viewing on the side of the Pioneer Pavilion at 2004 Cherry St. in Ferndale. A third mural is planned for Summer of 2022.
For more information about the Ferndale Arts Commission can be found here.
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.
