Reimagined Arts Center Re-Opens in Celebration
After two months of renovations, the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA) will reopen its mainstage with the March 14 performance by the Whidbey Island Orchestra. The arts center’s comprehensive and strategic renovation, which began in January 2026, includes a new stage floor, curtains, upgraded theatre seating, and a refreshed lobby and gallery space. Coinciding with its 30th Anniversary later this year, the renovation prepares WICA for the next three decades and beyond as the largest arts organization and employer in Island County.
“We’re thrilled with how the renovation has gone,” says WICA Executive Artistic Director Deana Duncan. “We worked with the community and with our amazing renovation partners to deliver on our goal—the revitalization of WICA while staying true to our mission, to enrich lives through creating powerful shared experiences in the arts. The entire process was a community-driven effort and we couldn’t be happier with how this space will continue to enrich our patrons’ experiences now and into the future.”
The renovation was budgeted at $403,000, was funded in part through a grassroots fundraising effort, and has brought in more than $343,000 in donations to date. Through seat sales and direct renovation donations, WICA was able to complete the upgrades ahead of time and within budget. To reach its goal, WICA only needs to sell 60 more seats. Contact Rachel Cook, Development Manager, at Rachel.Cook@WICAonline.org.
“It takes a village of supporters who believe in the arts to make something like this possible,” adds Duncan. “This wouldn’t have happened without our community—those who have gotten us to this point through their tireless efforts to bring the arts to the island and those who have shown up time and again in support of the idea that the arts matter.”
The official reopening celebration is on March 14 at 7:30 p.m. with the Whidbey Island Orchestra’s Beethoven and the S.O.B.s (Sons of Bach) performance, with an onstage dedication by one of WICA's founders Doug Kelly, followed by a post-show reception in the lobby with a no-host bar, cake, and champagne. Further 30th anniversary programming is slated through May with a festive few months at the arts organization by the sea.
To learn more about WICA and upcoming programming, please visit WICAOnline.org.