Noisy Waters Mural Festival

Noisy Waters Mural Festival The Pacific Northwest's live mural competition. August 14–16, 2026
Produced by Paper Whale

Who says art belongs inside? These 8x8-foot originals were made to make a statement on a big blank wall, out on the pati...
09/05/2026

Who says art belongs inside? These 8x8-foot originals were made to make a statement on a big blank wall, out on the patio or anywhere else that could use a little more imagination.

They’re weatherproof, one-of-a-kind and come with a pretty great story: they were created as part of this year’s Noisy Waters Mural Festival.

And now’s your chance to make one yours. See them on display at Whatcom Museum’s Lightcatcher courtyard until the auction closes on September 18. Bid or buy now. Bidding starts at $300.

https://www.noisywatersmuralfest.com/noisy-auction

The Noisy Waters murals have found a new home at the Whatcom Museum’s Lightcatcher building, and they’re available for a...
08/25/2026

The Noisy Waters murals have found a new home at the Whatcom Museum’s Lightcatcher building, and they’re available for auction through September 18!⁠
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You can see the murals in the courtyard at 250 Flora St, or catch a glimpse from the back patio at Bar Cicotti while enjoying dinner and jazz.🎷🍽️⁠
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Upcoming Bar Cicotti Jazz Nights:⁠
August 27: Mike Faast Trio⁠
September 10: Adam Greenberg Quartet⁠
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Both evenings feature a seasonal 3-course prix fixe dinner for $48/person, from 6–8 PM, with the Noisy Waters murals as your backdrop. Reservations are required and space is limited. Reserve your spot at barcicotti.com/event
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🏛️ The Lightcatcher courtyard is free and open Wed–Sun, 12–5 PM, no museum admission needed. While you're checking out the murals, step inside to see the museum's new neon show, Luminous Glow. One ticket gets you into every exhibition in both museum buildings — the Lightcatcher and Old City Hall — as well as the Family Interactive Gallery.⁠
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Bid on your favorite mural before the auction closes September 18! noisywatersmuralfest.com/noisy-auction
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🍽️⁠ Bar Cicotti
🏛️ Whatcom Museum
📸 FotoMataio Fotografia

08/20/2026

At the heart of the festival, the Indigeversal Collective joined us at Noisy Waters for the fourth year, bringing Indigenous artists together from across North America to collaborate, share knowledge, and celebrate the power of collective expression.⁠
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This year’s Indigeversal Collective included Kaplan Bunce (Apache Nation), Heather Dawn Sparks (Nuwaha Territory, Skagit County), Jason LaClair (Lummi Nation and Nooksack), Sophia Jackson (Quechan, Dine, and San Juan Southern Paiute), Thayne Yazzie (Navajo, Cherokee, and Mohawk), and Bellingham-based artist Isabella Conover, who works in Coast Salish Territory.⁠
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Each artist contributed symbols rooted in the visual language of their ancestors, that they wove into one shared composition honoring their individual traditions.⁠
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Kaplan founded the Indigeversal Collective as “a way to uplift and magnify Indigenous voices in art globally - it's a global initiative to share knowledge, to create networking opportunities, and to have a good time with all of us painting.”⁠
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We’re honored these murals will have a permanent place at Paper Whale’s new home, which will be announced at a later date.⁠
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This year’s Indigeversal Collective was made possible through the generous support of the Nooksack Indian Tribe and an anonymous donor. We’re grateful for their partnership in making Noisy Waters what it is.⁠
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Thank you to the entire Indigeversal Collective and to the Nooksack Indian Tribe for sharing your stories, artistry, and vision with our community.

08/19/2026

What a weekend.💙⁠
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Day 3 captured everything that makes this festival so special, from artists putting the finishing touches on the work they poured their time and energy into all weekend, to an incredible lineup of live music filling the air, and our community gathering to celebrate. We’re so grateful to everyone who came out to experience Noisy Waters, support the artists, cast a vote, and add to the magic of this weekend.⁠
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There are so many people behind the scenes who made it possible. Thank you to our volunteers, board members, artists, vendors, performers, community partners, contributors, and all the community members who gave their time, energy, resources, and support. This festival truly takes a village, and we’re incredibly thankful for ours.⁠
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Noisy Waters is a free event, but it is not free to put on. Every donation helps us continue creating opportunities for artists, bringing public art to Bellingham, and keeping this celebration accessible to our community. If you believe in what we’re building, consider making a donation and helping us keep it going.⁠
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A whole lot of love to the sponsors and contributors who helped bring this year’s Noisy Waters to life. You are the salal to our bugs!🌿🐛⁠
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With gratitude to our sponsors:⁠
City of Bellingham, Washington - Government
Port of Bellingham
Nooksack Indian Tribe
Samish Station⁠
Ohio Street Properties⁠
Bellingham Dental Group
Julian & Company, Real Estate Team With The Muljat Group
Fairhaven Pediatrics⁠
Bellingham Pediatric Dentistry
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And a huge thank you to our contributors:⁠
Ram Construction
Bellingham C***r Company
Bellingham Millwork
Instinct Builders
Tiaga Sound & Lighting
Hardware Sales
Outfitters / Doc Swinsons
Aslan Brewing
Community Food Co-op
Wander Brewing
Sherwin Williams – Downtown Bellingham Branch⁠
The Bellingham Yoga Collective
Outpost Eats
The Riviera Club
Ferny's Nursery
Foundation Restoration
Zeeks Pizza Bellingham / Fountain Brewing
Makeworth Coffee Roasters
North Sound Flower Co-op
Sunnyland Sawdust Collective⁠
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Thank you, Bellingham, for making this weekend so special.✨🎨☀🌊

08/19/2026

What makes Bellingham such a vibrant place is the creativity woven throughout our neighborhoods, parks, and waterfront.

Public art brings people together, creates a stronger sense of place, and makes destinations out of everyday spaces.

Noisy Waters Mural Festival did exactly that once again, bringing artists from around the country to the Portal Container Village for a weekend of live painting, mural tours, music, workshops, a makers market, and plenty of community connection.

We're proud to support an event that leaves a lasting impact long after the weekend is over.

A special thank you to Paper Whale and Noisy Waters Mural Festival for continuing to find creative ways to activate spaces and leave a lasting mark on Bellingham through mural arts.

Alt Text: Video showing Bellingham's Downtown Waterfront event with artist live painting murals, market goers, fashion show contestants, and community members having a great time

Congratulations to our 2026 Winners! Nearly 9,000 votes were cast this year at Noisy Waters Mural Festival, and the winn...
08/17/2026

Congratulations to our 2026 Winners! Nearly 9,000 votes were cast this year at Noisy Waters Mural Festival, and the winners are:⁠
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Grand Prize: Catie Michel⁠
Catie Michel is a muralist, science illustrator, and devoted naturalist based in Denver, CO. Attendees were enchanted watching her mural come to life throughout the weekend, and her work quickly became a community favorite. We can't wait to see her prize wall at 109 N Samish Way, sponsored by Samish Station!⁠
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1st Place: Jessa Gilbert⁠
Jessa Gilbert is originally from upstate New York and currently based in Squamish, BC. Her work celebrates the joy of wilderness, adventure, and play in the outdoors. Despite arriving later than the other artists, Jessa caught up incredibly quickly, and attendees were captivated watching her bold colors and details take shape. We can't wait to see her continue at her prize wall at 345 Ohio St along the bike path, sponsored by Ohio Street Properties!⁠
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2nd Place: Oak Bloak⁠
Oak Bloak, aka Max Coleman, is based in Denver, CO, transforming spaces and minds with unconventional portraiture and dazzling color. His mural's sense of hope, resilience, and optimism sparked thoughtful conversation throughout the weekend. We're excited to see his prize wall at 1117 Ellis St, sponsored by Bellingham Dental Group!⁠
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3rd Place: Wayward Walls⁠
Wayward Walls, aka Jason Harvin, is based in Gibsonton, FL, bringing personality, color, and narrative to spaces that deserve to be remembered. His bold, PNW-inspired take on what it means to be "noisy" got people talking and challenged expectations. Jason received a $1,000 cash prize!⁠
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Every artist who joined us this weekend brought their own unique style, perspective, and story to Bellingham, building their ideas layer by layer. We're grateful they shared their work with our community.⁠
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Thank you, Bellingham and everyone who came from near and far, for showing up, casting your votes, connecting with the artists, and helping shape the future of public art in our community. ❤️⁠
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📸: FotoMataio Fotografia⁠
Noisy Waters Mural Festival is produced by ⁠
Title Sponsor: City of Bellingham, Washington - Government
Presenting Sponsor: Port of Bellingham

08/16/2026

Reposado brought the energy last night! 🔥 Huge thanks to and for the incredible stage setup, lighting, and sound that brought it all to life.⁠
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Tonight, we’re keeping the party going with Fleetmac Wood bringing their high-energy disco magic to Noisy Night Mode. Grab your crew, hit the dance floor, and make the most of Saturday night at Noisy Waters. 🪩⁠
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🕘 9–11 PM⁠
📍 The Portal Container Village⁠
🎟️ $10 at the door | 21+⁠
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Ready to dance?

Upcycled ready-to-wear + Trashion hit the runway TODAY!⁠⁠One of Noisy Waters’ favorite festival highlights returns today...
08/15/2026

Upcycled ready-to-wear + Trashion hit the runway TODAY!⁠
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One of Noisy Waters’ favorite festival highlights returns today as brings 15 designers to the runway for an all-ages fashion show featuring bold, unexpected creations made from repurposed materials, with setting the vibe with a bluesy electronic set.⁠
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Featuring designs by:⁠
Suzanne Lundberg | The Goat’s Coat⁠
Joy Love | Eleven NW⁠
Darcie Gray | Range⁠
Julia Houle | Off Tangent⁠
Madison Stump | The Stump of Approval⁠
Hildi Larson | Lammergeier Studio⁠
Aurora Abbe | Quantum Sewing⁠
Alaina Broekof⁠
Emma Finney⁠
Brandi Hutton⁠
Jane Davenport | Gaudy By Nature⁠
Madeleine Shaw | Everyware Designs⁠
Sulai Lopez⁠
Katie VanDorp⁠
Danielle Martin⁠
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Today | 6–7 PM⁠
📍 The Portal Container Village⁠
🎟️ FREE + all ages

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Address

1145 Granary Avenue
Bellingham, WA
98225

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