THE TEAM
Gretchen Leggitt
Creative Director & Co-Founder
Gretchen Leggitt is a muralist, artist, educator and business owner based in Bellingham, WA. Her passion to help found Paper Whale and the Noisy Waters Mural Festival is based on her desire to preserve, protect and cultivate creative culture in areas where rapid economic growth has historically displaced artists. After 13 years teaching visual art in academic settings, she has a passion to mentor creatives and host safe spaces for learning and collaborating. Her vision behind Noisy Waters Mural Fest is to facilitate an event that promotes diversity, equity and opportunity in the public art realm. This ethos has resulted in the powerful collaborations that shape Paper Whale projects.
Nick Hartrich
Executive Director & Co-Founder
Nick has spent his 26 years in Bellingham, WA working to inspire and influence creative change in community. His interest in large-scale art is a direct result of how rapidly it can transform a city. For those seeking an economically vibrant future that includes our artists, storytellers and creatives - he is open to activating ideas into inspiring outcomes. Paper Whale is one such project, and he invites you to participate.
