About the Western Gallery
Location
Western Washington University is located in Bellingham, approximately 90 miles north of Seattle and 50 miles south of Vancouver, B.C. Take I-5, exit 252 to McDonald Parkway. The Western Gallery is in the Fine Arts Complex, centrally located on campus and across from Carver Gym.
Hours
The Western Gallery is open during the university's sessions, except during the summer. The gallery observes the university's calendar and holidays. Hours are: Monday-Friday, 10am - 4pm, except Wednesdays, 10am to 8pm; Saturday, 12-4pm.
History
In 1938 the Western Gallery began as the Studio Gallery, College of Education. In 1950 the Western Gallery was moved to the 2nd Floor of the Fine Arts Building when this new building opened. In the late 1980s a wing for the new Western Gallery was added to the Fine Arts Building.
Mission
The Western Gallery provides diverse experiences in the visual arts for its constituencies, encompassing the University community and region while providing a point of reference to the national and international art scene. Through historical, contemporary and experimental art exhibitions, through the outdoor collection of contemporary sculpture, through publications and through interpretative interdisciplinary programs, the Western Gallery is committed to creating an environment for learning. The gallery acts as a center for discussion and exchange of ideas on critical issues in contemporary art. The Western Gallery recognizes its role in expanding its audience's awareness of the visual arts as central to the dynamic and pluralistic nature of our society.
Space
The Western Gallery has 4,380 square feet of exhibition space. Wall space varies from 250 running feet to 500, depending on the addition of portable, modular units. The gallery has full security and temperature and humidity control.
Collections
The Western Gallery Director acts as curator of the university's visual art collections. Primary areas are 19th and 20th century prints and drawings, including the Helen Loggie Archives and the Leese Collection. In 2010 the gallery received over 175 works in various media by Northwest artists, a gift of Safeco Insurance, a member of the Liberty Mutual Group, and the Washington Art Consortium. Selections from these works will be placed on public view in the main lobbies of the Performing Arts Center. The Chair Collection focuses on this type of 20th century furniture created by international designers. The Outdoor Sculpture Collection is a nationally famous, public art collection displayed throughout the entire campus.
Washington Art Consortium
The office of the Washington Art Consortium is located in the Western Gallery. A unique prototype for collaboration, the Consortium consists of seven major institutions: Western Gallery, a founding member, Henry Gallery of University of Washington, NW Museum of Arts and Culture (Spokane), Seattle Art Museum, Tacoma Art Museum, Washington State University Museum of Art (Pullman), and Whatcom Museum of History and Art (Bellingham). The Consortium owns three American and one Northwest works on paper collections.
Friends of the Gallery
We welcome your support of the activities of the Western Gallery. If you would like to make a contribution, please see "giving to Western" on the website of the Foundation of Western Washington University. To make a gift go to www.wwu.edu/give or send a check made payable to WWU Foundation , 516 High Street, OM 430, Bellingham, WA, 98225-9034. Please write "Western Gallery" in the memo line of your check.
Services
The gallery's staff, led by Paul Brower, museum specialist and preservationist, is responsible for installing in public spaces works of art belonging to the university's collections. A variable fee is charged (a) for services, additional hanging materials and equipment usage for display of 1-3 art works at $30-$50; (b) for the design (small exhibition) or redesign (rearrangement of art owned by unit) of art hangings, manufacture of hardware, procurement of wall hanging panels, etc. at $50 or more depending on job.
Admission
Fee: none.
Photography
Permission to photograph any exhibit is handled through the Director's Office.
