Arts Center Scholarship Open to Whidbey Island Students

Art enriches lives—creating avenues for expression and understanding that unite us in our shared humanity. At the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA), the Bridge Family Scholarship enables students with an interest in the arts, whether it is visual arts, music, or other creative endeavors, to pursue an artistic path in their post-secondary education.

“This scholarship is at the heart of what we do at WICA,” says Executive Artistic Director Deana Duncan. “The future of the arts is with our youth, and supporting these island students as they pursue an artistic path is one of the greatest joys I find in the work we do. Our community is an essential part of our mission, and this is a wonderful way to encourage our students to expand their horizons, think outside the box, and really delve into their creative passions that make them who they are.”

Now in its second year, the scholarship is named for former WICA Board Chair and current board member Bobbe Bridge and her family.

“This scholarship program supports young people on Whidbey Island who have a demonstrated interest in the arts—in the broadest possible definition of the arts,” says Bridge. “It can incentivize the building of a career in the arts, or facilitate the continuation of arts as an avocation, enriching their lives and the life of the community in which they will live.”

An island-wide initiative to support recent graduates in the Oak Harbor, Coupeville, and South Whidbey school districts, the scholarship provides funding to Whidbey Island students who are interested in continuing to pursue art as they move on to an accredited institution of higher education.

“We have an extraordinary number of very talented young people on the Island who are looking to pursue work in the many different forms of art. These scholarships support their dreams. We hope to encourage even more students to apply for these scholarships, and we are actively pursuing additional funding so that more students can benefit,” adds Bridge. “Scholarships will increase the number of folks who participate in arts activities on the Island and will also contribute to the development of broader and more diverse audiences for the work of new artists in the future.”

Applications are now open for this year’s scholarship and interested students are encouraged to apply through their school district scholarship sites by April 20.

To learn more about WICA and its mission in the community, visit wicaonline.org. 

Trailblazing Musical Justice Comes to Whidbey Island Center for the Arts

On April 11, the groundbreaking musical Justice will open at the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA) for a three-week run on the Michael Nutt Mainstage. A new American musical by playwright Lauren Gunderson of The Revolutionists, along with composer Bree Lowdermilk and lyricist Kait Kerrigan; the production explores the lives of the first female Supreme Court Justices—Sandra Day O’Connor, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Sonia Sotomayor—and delves into issues related to equality and civic responsibility while exploring the justices’ personal journeys. WICA’s production is directed by Rose Woods, with musical direction by Sheila Weidendorf, and stage management by Michelle Durr. 

“Playwright Lauren Gunderson gives us characters deeply seeped in language—words that are transformational and powerful. These three characters are all ‘women of words’ and this musical upends any preconceived notion that we ‘know them.’ They all ask themselves what they must do to ‘get it done’ and their stories will inspire us,” says WICA Executive Artistic Director Deana Duncan. “We are thrilled that Justice has a home at WICA and we know that it'll encourage conversations, creating a ripple effect that will truly impact our community. That is our mission at WICA and this is the right play at the right time. We are so excited to support Rose Woods and the entire creative team in the PNW premier of a new American musical.”

The epic and intimate musical is brought to life by the three-person cast: Christina Boom (O’Connor), Gail Liston (Bader Ginsburg), and Jessica Robins (Sotomayor). Whidbey Island locals Boom and Liston are no strangers to the WICA stage, having previously appeared in numerous productions at the arts center. With a background in scripted, improvisational, and musical theater, Robins will be making their Whidbey Island debut, having performed with other Pacific Northwest theatre companies.

“I was surprised to find out that Sandra Day O'Connor did not have the goal of becoming a Supreme Court justice, rather, when she was asked by President Regan to be a nominee to the Supreme Court, she felt it was her duty to accept,” says Boom. “It clearly wasn't an easy task, being the first woman on the court, and yet she felt the responsibility to do it well and to make sure she ‘wasn't the last.’”

For the three actors, the musical is the opportunity to explore current themes and to have important conversations about societal issues.

“When I first heard about this play, I got excited,” says Liston. “What an amazing concept. And the idea of playing one of these strong, brave women was irresistible. The show is so timely, with an important message about fighting for your rights and never giving up or becoming complacent.”

Adds Robins, “More than anything, this show is a call to action. Please, please vote. Make your voice heard. Our democracy needs us more than ever!”

The WICA production includes sweeping songs and an exploration of incredibly relevant themes that Woods hopes will encourage the audience to think deeper about their shared humanity.

“I think we are living in a time when it is getting more and more impossible to look away from the ugliness, the violence, the rifts in our society,” says Woods, who was drawn to the musical for the opportunity to bring this “call to action” to life on WICA’s mainstage. “I think this play gives us a deep and personal look at our recent history and brings us to right now; to a better understanding of Equal Justice Under Law; to We the People; and to a powerful sisterhood of trailblazers as they confront the battles of their time. I hope our audience is moved by the personal stories and perhaps motivated to step out and make a difference in social justice and equity in our own communities.”

Adds Durr, “This musical isn't just about the Supreme Court and ‘government’ but about these women's personal lives and the challenges they each faced outside of being a Supreme Court Justice.”

It is the unique blend of music genres and the powerful messages behind the musical score that intrigued Weidendorf, who as musical director, will also be supporting the cast on piano during the performances. “The Justice score is largely what we would call a ‘pop/rock’ score with nods to old Broadway, TV Westerns, and more.”

For her, the production has the power to truly inspire through artistic creativity. “Art is most potent when creativity intersects with and illuminates our shared experiences—be that political or personal experience. Justice brings the personal to the political and makes the conversation accessible.” 

It is this “raw expression of living a life” that Woods can’t wait to witness with the official opening this month.

“I am in love with this cast,” she says. “There is a kind of alchemy and power between these actors. From the beginning, they dove into research and each shared stories of these characters they learned. We all got to know these women through our rehearsals. I won’t pretend this was easy. The music is complex, the pacing is relentless, and the actors never leave the stage. But they bring everything they’ve got to every single rehearsal.”

Adds Durr, “All these incredible humans have come together to tell this timely story. From the actors, music and costumes, we have supported and held each other up every rehearsal and beyond. We are truly the Justice League, as we like to call ourselves.”

In addition to the Justice performance run, WICA will also be hosting a Center Conversation Series event on April 21 following the matinee performance, featuring retired Washington State Supreme Court Justice Bobbe Bridge and sitting Washington State Supreme Court Justice Mary Yu who will discuss how the groundbreaking work of women Supreme Court Justices relates to the courts today.

On April 27 at 2 p.m., playwright and Play Club founder Amy Wheeler will be interviewing playwright Lauren Gunderson as part of the Play Club virtual series. For those who want to virtually attend the event and not pursue Play Club membership, there is a one-time $10 admission "ticket." For those interested in membership, there is a discounted membership fee. Anyone interested in either opportunity should connect with Wheeler at info@theplayclub.org.

For more information and to purchase tickets to the WICA events, please visit wicaonline.org.

Art Exhibit Opportunities at the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts

The Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA) is currently seeking works of art for display in the Lasher Gallery, located in the lobby of the WICA campus in Langley. 

“One of WICA's prime goals is to provide a space for as many genres of art as possible,” says Lasher Gallery Manager James Hinkley. “Just as with music, theatre, and poetry, the visual arts absolutely require workable spaces devoted to bringing their unique expressions to the community.”

The gallery serves as a communal arts space, featuring artwork by professional and amateur Whidbey Island artists and celebrating the vast array of creative endeavors found within the local community. The venue is open to the public during WICA’s regular business hours and by appointment with Hinkley.

Art submissions can be in any medium—from painting and drawing to photography and ceramics. Selected artists will be featured for two months in solo shows, with the submission deadline for the 2024 season May 1.

For those interested in learning more about submitting artwork, please contact Hinkley at 360.221.7661 or by email at james.hinkley@wicaonline.org

Free-Style Textile Sculptures Celebrate Nature and the Artistic Process

It was an experience at the Bellevue Art Museum that set textile sculptor Sandy Rubini-Rochon on her current artistic path. The free-style weaving exhibit that had “charmed” her in 2017 was the inspiration for her own pursuit—nature-based pieces made from driftwood, jute, and repurposed textiles. Today, these one-of-a-kind sculptures grace the walls of the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA) Lasher Gallery, on display throughout the months of March and April and open to the public during WICA’s regular business hours or by appointment.

Sandy Rubini-Rochon with her art piece Balletto

“Each sculpture begins with the driftwood. It’s difficult to find pieces that aren’t your ‘run-of-the-mill’ logs,” says Rubini-Rochon. “The hunt for unique wood is part of the fun. They need to have character. As far as the textiles are concerned, they’re all repurposed…I love the colors and textures, especially earth tones. I love matching fabrics that may be diabolically opposite but somehow meld together beautifully as I create a sculpture.”

Rubini-Rochon’s sculptures can usually be seen at the Clinton-based Rochon Fine Art Gallery she shares with her husband and abstract painter Louie Rochon. Now exhibiting at WICA, Rubini-Rochon can’t wait for viewers to interact with her art in this new space.

“I absolutely love the Lasher Gallery. It’s a beautiful, well-lighted space with nooks and crannies that lend itself well to patrons feeling like they’re exploring and finding treasures around the next bend,” she says. “It’s wonderful to have my sculptures in a public space where they can be enjoyed.”

“I love Sandy's work,” adds Lasher Gallery Manager James Hinkley. “Each piece has its own particular sense of balance; no two alike. But what impresses me most is the wide varieties of textures in each piece.”

For Rubini-Rochon, the free-style sculptures have a life of their own, with the end result “much like an abstract painting.”

“I never know how they’re going to turn out until they’re complete,” she says. “It’s a totally loose, intuitive process. The sculpture takes on a life of its own as I instinctively choose the colors and variations that speak to me in the moment.”

Each piece is named for memories and personal and emotional experiences that Rubini-Rochon feels throughout a very “freeing” creative process.

Sandy Rubini-Rochon with her art piece Arroyo

“It’s wonderful getting lost in the creative zone, where nothing else exists except the fabric and whatever eclectic playlist I have jamming in the background,” she says. “It’s truly lovely, living in the moment.”

For Rubini-Rochon, the best part of the process is seeing the interaction viewers have with her inspired creations.

“The greatest compliment I can receive is when someone is emotionally moved by one of my sculptures. They’re truly abstract, and much like a painting, can evoke memories or emotion,” she says. “I once had a friend comment that one of my sculptures, ‘is a warm and comfy color scheme—it reminds me of winter in front of a real wood fire and soft lights and soft music with time to reflect on kindnesses.’ That’s as good as it gets for me.”

For viewers interested in seeing Rubini-Rochon’s textile sculptures, the art will be on display through April, with an opening reception held on Saturday, March 23 from 5:00-6:30 p.m. at WICA. In addition to visiting the Langley exhibit, Rubini-Rochon’s art can be viewed at her gallery in Clinton or through her website, www.vintimo.com.

Documentary Series Explores Inventive Ways to Combat Climate Change

Finding a unique way to combat climate change is at the heart of the four-part documentary series, Roots So Deep (you can see the devil down there), screening at the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA) March 26 and 27. Directed by Peter Byck, the series tells the stories of “inventive farmers and maverick scientists” who are rethinking how cattle graze in an effort to solve climate change.

The series follows Byck as he connects with farmers and scientists to explore how lessons learned from “the way bison once roamed the land [can] help get farmers out of debt, restore our depleted soils, rebuild wildlife habitat and draw down huge amounts of carbon.”

Shown in partnership with Whidbey Island’s Organic Farm School (OFS), the first two films of the series will be shown on March 26, followed by the second two films on March 27. Programming on both days will begin at 6:00 p.m. and both the filmmaker Peter Byck and producer/supporter and award-winning director and actor Peter Horton will be onsite for the showings.

“WICA’s mission in the community is to bring people together to share in impactful experiences like this one and to deepen our understanding of our humanity and sense of belonging,” says WICA Executive Artistic Director Deana Duncan. “We’ve been so fortunate to be able to partner with the Organic Farm School for this event and to really focus on important conversations that redefine what it means to be responsible environmental stewards and global citizens today.”

For OFS Executive Director Judy Feldman, this screening is only the start of “a conversation about food, community, and climate” that she hopes will last beyond the event.

“It’s a great way for our community to see something meaningful happening on the island, and then to see that what’s happening here is also happening in other locations across the country,” she says. “In this instance, the OFS is doing great work with the Whidbey community, and yet we are working on just one small piece of a very big effort. Regenerative Agriculture doesn’t look the same everywhere, and yet there does seem to be a common denominator of communities reconnecting to the importance and value of soil health. This kind of programming brings attention to simultaneously diverse and common experiences.”

“The OFS is working in a very strong, privileged, [and] connected community. Being able to see familiar regenerative practices implemented in communities working under constraints we don’t encounter is humbling and inspiring at the same time,” adds Feldman. “It shows us, and hopefully all who see the films, that there is always room for increased awareness of how food systems are not all created equal, and that there is much work to do around food/environmental justice and social justice in general.”

Screening Schedule

March 26

• Mavericks & Meadowlarks

• Losing Is Winning

March 27

• Change Is Hard

• One Lane Road Ahead

Tickets are now on sale for the screenings with WICA Star and Standard pricing available as well as free admission for youth under 18 years of age. The screenings will also offer a Pay What You Wish opportunity for all shows.

Click here to read a CNN article that features the documentary series.

Click here to view the trailer for the series.

Praise for Roots So Deep

“What I like so much about these films is the genuine compassion and understanding shown for farmers, no matter how they farm. Peter Byck is a terrific interviewer, even of people who view the world from different perspectives. Anyone who wants to know what regenerative agriculture can do, in theory and in practice, will watch these films with pleasure and admiration for the hard work that goes into producing food.” - Marion Nestle, Professor of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health, Emerita, New York University, and author of books about food politics

“This is, hands-down, the best agriculture filmmaking I’ve ever seen. The characters are all so likable and captivating, the graphics are stunning, and I learned a ton about ecology...but none of that would matter without Peter Byck’s soul and empathy as storyteller.” - Bill Weir, CNN