VU Gallery
The Viking Union Gallery is a student-curated exhibition space sponsored by Western Washington University's Associated Student Productions. Our primary focus is to contribute to the artistic culture of Bellingham’s community while promoting the artwork of Western's student and regional artists.
For questions or concerns, please contact Ruth Barnes, the VU Gallery Director at as.gallery@wwu.edu
The physical gallery is open Monday - Friday, 11am to 5pm while an exhibit is in progress.
UPCOMING/CURRENT EVENTS:
BUS STOP: ART 494 SENIOR EXHIBITION

From May 23rd to June 3rd, come see the final works of the class of ART 494's senior exhibition! Works include painting, ceramics, textile, and interactive installations, with every artist's personal statement.
On opening day, May 23rd, please join us in VU 507 at 5:30pm for an opening reception with food!
THINGS I LOVE: WORKS AND INSTALLATION BY HAYLEY DETI AND BEV WINANT

Starting May 3rd in the VU Gallery (VU 507) come check out the multimedia works from artists Hayley Deti and Bev Winant! Hayley recently graduated from WWU, and Bev is a current student.
On May 11th in the VU Gallery, we'll be having a reception at 6:30pm with food and time to chat with the artists!
ILLUSTRATION CERTIFICATE SHOWCASE

The Design major in WWU's College of Fine and Performing Arts has an Illustration Certificate, come check out a selected history of works created for this program!
Show available now here!
WAKE: PAINTINGS BY RACHEL ROTHBERG

Recent BFA graduate Rachel Rothberg unveils their first physical solo show in the VU Gallery. Wake is a collection of large-scale paintings of local birds with a statement on ecology. Please join us on Wednesday 4/13 in VU 507 for an in-person opening reception (with food)!
NOSTALGIC FOR A PLACE I CAN'T GO BACK TO: PAINTED WORKS AND INSTALLATION BY SOPHIA LINDSTROM

Step into local artist Sophia Lindstrom's living room recreated in the VU Gallery, featuring over 100 found photographs drawn over with posca pens, as well as original paintings done with acrylic and resin. Sophia Lindstrom is a neurodivergent painter from WWU and has been featured in a number of group exhibitions here on campus. Check out her solo show in the VU Gallery now! Join us 1/25 in VU 507 (VU Gallery) for an in-person reception with the artist!
RENDER: WORKS BY COLTON SAMPSON AND GOUUIE
(Virtual Exclusive Exhibit)

Visit the Virtual VU Gallery to see a selection of works by 3D modeling artists Colton Sampson and Gouuie. Colton is a current BFA student here at Western Washington University, and Gouuie is a self-taught independent artist based out of Washington State.
View Sampson and Gouuie's dual show "Render" on the Virtual VU Gallery here.
View Gouuie's website here, and Colton Sampsons website here.
WONDER, WARMTH, WHIMSY: WORKS BY ROWAN KINGSBURY
(Virtual Exclusive Exhibit)

Beginning January 18th, view artist Rowan Kingsbury's work on the virtual gallery. Rowan is a recent graduate from the Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland, Oregon and works primarily with gouache, colored pencil, and digital mediums to create illustrations that invite feelings of wonder, warmth, and whimsy. Rowan is also a children's book illustrator, and has plans to write, illustrate, and publish her own book someday.
View Rowan Kingsbury's show "Wonder, Warmth, Whimsy" on the Virtual VU Gallery here.
View Rowan Kingsbury's website and online store here.
STUDIO ART BFA WINTER EXHIBITION (GROUP SHOW)
Virtual Reception Feb. 16th 4-6PM (Click here for zoom link)

This year's BFA cohort is proud to present the Studio Art BFA Winter Exhibition! Featuring works from Eli Isenhour, Elly Minagawa, Madeline Moser, Brittany Pincus, Parissa Rad, Sophia Roca, Allen Rogers, Colton Sampson, Nathan Wilkinson.
Missed the show in person? You can view the work on the VU Gallery's virtual gallery space here! And the 2/16 virtual reception with artist talks here!!
BACKGROUND NOISE: WORKS BY CASSIE HART
(Virtual Exclusive Exhibit)

Beginning November 8th, view Ohio-based artist Cassie Hart's work on the virtual gallery.
Cassie Hart is a BFA graduate from Savannah College of Art and Design, and her work in this show features her sketchbook, and one larger-size painting.
View Cassie Hart's show "Background Noise" on the Virtual VU Gallery here.
View Cassie Hart's website and online store here.
SOMETHING STRANGE (GROUP SHOW)
![Illustrated social media poster for the Something Strange exhibit. It features digitally illustrated roses in pink, yellow, and red with skulls of matching colors in the center of each rose. The background is textured like old paper, in an off-white color. The associated students and AS productions logos are featured at the bottom. The text reads [Something strange, october 26 - november 16, join us for a reception october 28, 5-7pm, free, masks required, AA/EO for disability accommodations please contact as.gallery@wwu.edu] End alt txt](https://asvuwwu.blob.core.windows.net/media/images/FINAL_Something_StrangeInstagram_Portrait.width-500.png)
From October 26th to November 16th, join us in the VU Gallery to celebrate 5 amazing local artists in this group show. An opening reception will be held in the VU Gallery from 5-7pm (masks required!), where you can chat with the artists and ask them about their work. Artists featured in the exhibition: Leah Adams, Maddie Dowling, Cassandra Hart, Thea Mroz, and Mahllie.
Missed the show in person? You can view the work on the VU Gallery's virtual gallery space here!
MY_ART_BYTES: WORKS BY RYAN HAIGHT
(Virtual Exclusive Exhibit)
![Alt text: “Promotional material for "my art bytes" art show. The flyer features a digital illustration in a pixel style of a row of houses on Garden Street in Bellingham. The colors are muted, and the lighting indicates this is either early evening or sunrise. Text on the flyer states: [my_art_bytes: works by Ryan Haight. Virtual Gallery Oct. 18. Virtual Reception Oct. 19, 5pm-7pm. AA/EO For disability accommodations, please contact as.gallery@wwu.edu]](https://asvuwwu.blob.core.windows.net/media/images/Ryan_H_SocialMedia_Instagram_Portrait.width-500.png)
Beginning Oct. 18th, view artist Ryan Haight's pixel illustrations on our virtual gallery site. Ryan Haight's work can be found as the header image on the Associated Students page, as well as the Viking Union page on the WWU website.
See his work here on the Virtual VU Gallery
Reception/Artist Q&A will be held over Zoom on Oct. 19th, from 5pm - 7pm.
DRAWING JAM
![Alt text: “Drawing Jam poster. Graphic design with blue, red, and yellow abstract shapes and outlines of various white drawing supplies with white text stating: [Drawing Jam: October 4th through the 17th in the VU Gallery (room 507). Get creative with fellow students by decorating the walls and participating in a group art project! AA/EO For disability accommodations please contact as.gallery@wwu.edu] [End alt text]”](https://asvuwwu.blob.core.windows.net/media/images/DrawingJam__SocialMedia.width-500.png)
Drawing Jam is an annual art project for WWU Students to come and share their work. Beginning Oct. 4th, come down to room 507 of the Viking Union to draw, sketch, or doodle on our walls covered in paper! If you don't know what to draw, follow the prompts that will be added every Monday and Wednesday until we tear it all down on Oct. 15th.
ARTIST Q&A's
All of our past Artist Q&A's have been recorded and can be found on the ASP YouTube channel or through their respective exhibitions via the link above.
PREVIOUS SHOWS
All of our previous (virtual) shows from the year 2020-2021 are available to view on our virtual gallery website via the link above.
2019-2020 VU Gallery Catalogue
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