Hello, Autumn.
And good-bye Summer
Hello and welcome.
If this is your first newsletter from us, thanks for joining! If not, thanks for sticking with us. This newsletter is a source for PNW artists as well as art collectors for art news around the PNW from which you can mine all kinds of valuable opportunities for collecting, selling, or viewing great art.
As I am an employee and head social media coordinator of The Lucky Dumpster, I will always include some new information about what’s going on in The Dumpster as well as art news from around the PNW. I will also close out every newsletter with artist opportunities.
WORDS OF WISDOM BY JAMES
“I love arguing with you about things like the meaning of violence. It gives me the opportunity to pull out my dictionary and really dig into the meaning of words as they are supposed to be used.”
James and I rely on facts in books for our philosophical arguments. Preferably very old ones. (Old facts, books, and arguments).
THE LUCKY DUMPSTER
According to James, the store had its busiest summer ever, and if you ask me and my aching feet, that feels about right. The shop was open today, Labor Day, and while it wasn’t busy like it has been, we did get quite a few new people in to look about the room in awe and wonder. The work in the shop has such heart that the space reverberates with love, attention, and emotion. People come in and meaningful conversations around magnificent discoveries take place. Just the other day, a long time customer came in to say hello. We discussed art, radish butts, and various other topics at the LD counter. The very next day, a friend of hers came into the shop and during a glowing conversation of love and admiration for this customer, this person let us know that it’s her birthday this next Friday. So, James directed me to take the opportunity to express, “from the depths of our grateful hearts, happy birthday, Patrice. We are so lucky to know you.”
The Lucky Dumpster has taken on quite a few new artists- we now carry the work of over 210 makers! We are indeed lucky to have a shop in such a beloved small town and carry the work of so many makers who care deeply about the work they put into the world.
EDISON
There is a new shop in town! Murakami Vintage, owned and operated by Erica Dudrow, is open and already quite busy! It’s located in the space right next to The Book Shucker and across from The Chop Shop. When you’re in Edison, check it out. The shop is having an official opening on September 20th from 4-7pm. Come by and say hi! There are clothes, trinkets and tools to peruse as well as a glorious view of the slough.
Smith and Vallee is showing work by Joanne Bohannon, Will Boswell, and Deby Harvey in September. The show opens on September 4th and the opening will be on the 6th. I peaked in this afternoon on my way to the vintage shop and the show looks amazing.
REGIONAL ART
The Seattle Asian Art Museum is hosting Anil Quayyum Agha’s work: Geometry of Light through April of 2026. It’s also hosting Ai Weiwei, Water Lilies through March of 2026. If you head down to Seattle, don’t miss the Olympic Sculpture park. It’s even great in the rain!
Scenes of the Skagit is showing this month at Rick Leonard Gallery in Mount Vernon, with an artist’s reception happening on Sept. 6th.
Great Odds Celebrate Creative Passion group show is showing at Make.Shift art gallery in September. The artist reception is Sept 5.
The Bellingham Celtic Festival is happening from September 17-20. It will be happening in multiple locations simultaneously so head over to the website if you’re interested in partaking.
The Arts Matter
If you are reading this newsletter, chances are you are already aware of why the arts matter, especially during dark days. The artists of any culture in any era have unflinchingly and honestly reflected back to society its hypocrisies, triumphs, and challenges it faces. So, as the arts have been so cut back this year due to the present unpleasantness, consider supporting your local artist or arts organization in whatever way you can, be it volunteering at the local school or museum, buying a local artist’s work, or donating to the museum or arts organization of your choice. The arts must survive.
OPPORTUNITIES
City of Bellingham Request for Qualifications – Multiple Artwork Opportunities
Submission Deadline: Before noon (12 p.m. PST) on September 12, 2025
We are seeking artist(s) or artist team(s) qualified to design, fabricate, and install artwork associated with several capital projects at various locations as part of the Percent for the Arts program. Artists and artist teams may apply to be considered for a roster that will be used to select artists for one or more upcoming projects.
The budget for current artwork opportunities range between $50,000-$195,000.
WA state self-directed art practice grant. Applications open until October 1st.
WA state General Operating Support Grant. Applications open until October 1st.
HAYAMA International artist residency. Applications open until Sept 31.
City of Auburn
The City of Auburn, Washington, seeks applications from regional artists to install 3-dimensional or multi-media art installations in two site-specific gallery spaces in downtown Auburn: the Art on Main Gallery and the Vault Gallery. Both spaces provide a $1,000 artist stipend to support the creation of new work and site-specific projects, or the installation of existing work. Eligibility: Any individual artist or collaborative artist team in the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Idaho) may apply. Past participants of Art on Main are welcome to reapply.
The City of Seattle has two open arts positions available. Arts Panel & Operations Data Specialist and Public Art Program Manager.
Opportunity to guide the frequency of this newsletter.
Thanks for reading and let me know if you would like to see more information in these newsletters.