Arts Center Celebrates Monumental Three Decades on Whidbey Island
For nearly 30 years, the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA) has been an arts hub, bringing together arts supporters with award-winning programming that has made this local theatre a household name on a regional scale. What began as an idea in the 1980s for a theatre for the community became, through a grassroots effort, a highly recognized arts center that has earned distinction for representation, collaboration, and an enterprising spirit. WICA officially opened its doors on May 16, 1996, on land that once housed the South Whidbey High School tennis courts. Today, having weathered economic instability, a global pandemic, and changes to the arts funding landscape, WICA is nearing a milestone anniversary that showcases the staying power of this iconic Whidbey organization.
“It's hard to pinpoint the exact moment WICA went from just an idea to an endeavor, but I've heard from Founding Board Member Doug Kelly that it was really born out of early theatre groups meeting at local businesses like the Dog House Tavern,” recalled Executive Artistic Director Deana Duncan. “The actors would set up a theatre in the round on the top floor of the building and share their artistry with the community. Once the productions concluded each evening, they would fold up the chairs and put them away. After years of this, they decided they wanted something more established, and that’s when the first discussions began on what this could look like.”
From that point, it took more than a decade to establish a location, raise the necessary funding, and finally open the doors of a much smaller building than what many in the community know today. “The funding only covered the bare necessities to get the theatre open,” said Duncan. “We had a box office, lobby, and Mainstage, but were missing many of the iconic parts of the building.”
In 2007, a Phase Two capital campaign raised the funds for the arts organization to add on the administrative offices, Zech Hall and patio, scene shop, costume loft, and the green room. As WICA grew, so did its offerings. The Theatre Series expanded from three productions to five each year and festivals like DjangoFest Northwest grew into a global phenomenon, recognized as the largest Gypsy Jazz festival outside of France. In 2023 and 2024, WICA was honored by Theatre Puget Sound as the Gregory Awards People's Choice Organization of the Year for North Puget Sound. Today, the arts organization has undergone an extensive renovation in preparation for the 30th anniversary, including a seat campaign that replaced the original theatre seating, new stage floor and curtains, and a refreshed lobby gallery space.
In celebration of the arts center’s three decades on Whidbey Island, the month of May will see programming to highlight the organization’s roots as well as bring in award-winning talent. On May 13 and 14, the renovated Mainstage will see local favorites, The Rural Characters, as well as the Heggenes Valley Band for the anniversary weekend. Almost as old as WICA itself, The Rural Characters got their start in 1997 as singing cowboys at a theatrical performance at WICA. Their first of a long string of sold-out annual concerts was in 2003 as part of the Local Artist Series. With their unique and insightful take on island life, these community storytellers will bring back favorite songs and shenanigans, with a few new numbers sprinkled in. Providing a wonderful complement to the Characters, The Heggenes Valley Band has also delighted Island audiences through the years with their entertaining and energy-filled repertoire that ranges from here to there and back again. They play what they like, like what they play, and always make sure you’re having as much fun as they are.
The celebrations will continue on May 16 with the Whidbey Island Orchestra, which recently performed for WICA’s grand re-opening in March. The May 16 event will feature a birthday celebration, including cake and a community toast. That will be followed by a showcase of student instrumental talent with the Whidbey Island Orchestra Student Showcase on May 17. Later in the month, WICA will also invite eight-time GRAMMY-winning bassist, composer, and bandleader Christian McBride & Ursa Major to the stage on May 28, followed by a May 31 performance by the Brubeck Brothers.
In June, the arts organization and its supporters will gather in the newly renovated space for WICA’s 30th annual gala, celebrating the act of bringing Art to the Table and enriching lives by creating powerful, shared experiences in the arts.
As the arts organization looks ahead to the next 30 years and beyond, the anniversary celebrations will pay tribute to those who have made this possible and position WICA for the future of arts on Whidbey Island.
To learn more about WICA and upcoming programming, visit WICAonline.org.