Arts festival comes to Blaine July 26-28

The arts will take over Blaine Friday, July 26 through Sunday, July 28.

Blaine Arts Council (BAC) is returning its annual festival, titled this year as The Wave En Blanc and Art Festival, with an evening fundraiser, festival in the park and gallery showcase.

“I want people to experience the caliber of artists we have here because we have some really talented artists,” BAC president Margaret Owens said. “I’m excited for them to have exposure and be seen, and for people to know what we’re doing.”

The En Blanc Evening will open the weekend with a ticketed fundraiser for BAC’s new downtown gallery 6-9 p.m. Friday, July 26 at Blaine Harbor Boating Center, 235 Marine Drive.

Nearly 20 juried artists will showcase their art, some of which will be for sale, at the boating center. Guests are asked to dress in all white for the event, which will have food and drink, a wine pull and live music. 

There will also be a silent auction with prizes including a spring break condominium in Orlando, Florida, preseason Seahawks tickets, private party for six at Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery in Woodinville and a five-hour fishing trip for two in the San Juan Islands.

Tickets, which include a drink, are available $30 for BAC members and $40 for non-members before the event, with prices increasing $10 the night of the event. 

The festival will then take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Blaine Marine Park, with about 15 artists showing their work. Additional art shown at the BAC gallery at 922 Peace Portal Drive and at two art studios (studio locations are available at blaineartscouncil.org). The festival is free and open to the public.

Festival artwork will include woodworking, acrylics, pottery, kiln-fired glass, jewelry design and more. In addition to art, the park will provide a space for live music, a beer garden and food trucks. 

Previously, artists had showcased their work at studios across Blaine. Owens said the festival moved to Blaine Marine Park in attempt to bring as much exposure as possible to artists by having them all in one place, especially in an area with high foot traffic and visibility from the Peace Arch border crossing. 

“It’s a way for artists to get hopefully much more exposure than they got last year,” she said. “It’s something we want to build on every year and grow.”

Founded in 2022, BAC has grown to nearly 85 members, most of whom are in the Blaine and Birch Bay area.