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Stay inspired!Directions
Western is located in Bellingham, 90 miles north of Seattle and 50 miles south of Vancouver, B.C. When approaching Bellingham on Interstate 5, take Exit #252, turn west onto Samish Way and follow the signs to Bill McDonald Parkway and the University Campus. The Western Gallery is in the Fine Arts Building, centrally located on campus, across from Carver Gym.
Accessibility
The Gallery’s exterior door is manually accessible. The main entrance to the Fine Arts building is button activated. A ramp goes to the Gallery’s side door. Accessible restrooms are located on the first floor. Accessible parking is available behind the Fine Arts building, on East College Way.
Disability access information is available online at Parking Services, and further resources can be found by contacting Western's Disability Access Center.
Parking
Allow yourself at least 15 minutes to enjoy campus scenery and outdoor sculptures on the way to the gallery from your parking spot. If you need a lift across campus, blue line WTA buses shuttle through campus every 15 minutes.
Weekday Parking
Visitors can always park in the C lots on the south end of campus, and in Lot 6V on the north end of campus near the Viking Union and Performing Arts Center.
To get to the main campus level from lot 6V, take the stairs, or take the elevator in the Viking Union (Check VU hours) to floor 6.
Weekend & Evening (after 4:30pm) Parking
Closest to the gallery, we recommend lot 9G. Access this lot by driving west/uphill on W. College Way, turn right after the Student Recreation Center, continue on that road and keep left at the stop sign.
Pictured above: Turn right here to get to lot 9G. A concrete median blocks entry from the other direction.
Parking is free in the C lots on the south end of campus.
Parking lot 17G will be closed for construction until Fall 2024.
How to pay for parking
Free Parking
Parking is free in the C lots on evenings (after 4:30pm) and weekends.
Pay online or reserve ahead
Use Parkmoblie.io or the ParkMobile app to pay online. You can pay for parking before you go, or when you get there. ParkMobile also gives you the option to extend your parking before the meter runs out.
For daily and weekly parking, you can purchase a permit through Western's parking portal.
Pay Stations
Use a debit or credit card at the pay station in the lot where you park. Pay station rates and instructions
Photography
The outdoor sculptures are in the public domain and can be photographed without permission. However, such photos should not be reproduced or published for commercial purposes without the permission of the Western Gallery and the legitimate copyright owner. Permission to photograph works in Western Gallery exhibitions must be obtained from the Gallery Director.
Guided Tours
Guided tours to the exhibitions and the outdoor sculpture collection are offered to schools and organized groups. Please email the Museum Educator, or call (360) 650-3939 to make an appointment.