STAGE NOTES
The WICA Blog
Transforming Decay into Captivating Art
Industrial decay may not sound beautiful, but beneath Dave Meyer’s paintbrush, it takes on an entirely new meaning. Vibrant layers of color, deeply etched grooves, and torn pieces of paper all transform recycled pieces of discarded wood into captivating works of art. For Meyer—whose background as a graphic designer has greatly influenced his work—the art is bold, geometric, and unapologetically rugged.
“I typically gravitate toward very graphic styles. Anything bold, with strong colors, type, and geometric shapes always catches my attention,” he says. “As a graphic designer, I’ve always been interested in the visual arts. I like to work with color, letterforms, and texture.”
Fascinated by abstract modern art, Meyer didn’t start painting with much frequency until he moved to Whidbey Island nearly three years ago. He became involved in the Living Design Foundation shortly after arriving, volunteering with the program’s local youth who were learning woodworking skills in the old high school woodshop. It was there where he found his art medium—discarded wood scraps. Building each of his painting “canvases” out of wood otherwise destined for the landfill or fireplace, Meyer sees great meaning behind his art.
“I like to recycle and give the wood a new and unexpected life as a base for my art. I like how durable it is to work with too. It gives me flexibility to create robust pieces of art on a firm surface that is unique and adds character to the work,” he says. “I feel so fortunate to have found Joe and Mary Lou Whisenand, the founders of the Living Design Foundation, who have given me the space to create and have supported me in these efforts.”
Finding inspiration from the little things, like “chipped paint or rust on an old building,” Meyer’s free-style approach is an experimental process, unhindered by what he thinks other people may want to see.
“When I’m painting, I usually work to create art that is satisfying to me—something I want to hang on my wall,” he says. “I love it when it also brings joy to someone else.”
Beginning in March, Meyer’s work will be on display at the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA) Lasher Gallery.
“I'm quite impressed by his varying styles,” says James Hinkley, Lasher Gallery Manager. “In particular, his separation compositions."
Meyer is thrilled to show these pieces at WICA. “It’s a great honor to be considered. WICA brings so many talented artists to its space—both visual and performing—and to have my art surrounded by creative people who appreciate it is very humbling,” he says. “It’s very satisfying as well. WICA has such a great reputation in the region for presenting unique and cutting-edge artists, I feel fortunate I can share the same space with them.”
The gallery exhibit will open on March 8 with a special art opening at 5:00 p.m. and will be on display through April. In addition to visiting the Langley exhibit, Meyer’s art can also be viewed through his website, davemeyerdesign.com.
To learn more about WICA and the Lasher Gallery, visit WICAOnline.org.
Theater, sound effects combine to create live cinema in WICA’s ‘Flemming’
Originally published in the South Whidbey Record
Grab a cocktail and prepare to muddle your way through the mystery of “Flemming,” an American comedy turned thriller now running at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts.
Presented as a live radio broadcast, the play is a spoof of noir thrillers from the 1940s and 1950s and follows the story of Henry Flemming, a bored broker who sells his successful firm so he can pursue his passion of being a detective.
“Our radio actors will literally be acting as on-air personalities, script in hand as they deliver their lines,” WICA Executive Artistic Director Deana Duncan said, “and our sound effect actors will be creating an acoustic environment that will be a rich and immersive experience for audiences.”
“Flemming: An American Thriller” opened Friday on the WICA mainstage and runs until Feb. 22, culminating in Langley Mystery Weekend.
Applications now being accepted for wica scholarship
WICA Managing Director Billy Tierney presents 2024 Oak Harbor High School recipient Vanessa Cisco with her scholarship.
High school students interested in pursuing the arts in higher education can apply for a scholarship from Whidbey Island Center for the Arts.
Launched in 2023, the Bridge Family Scholarship is an island-wide initiative to support recent graduates in the Oak Harbor, Coupeville, and South Whidbey school districts. Originally founded by and named for Bobbe Bridge, a retired Washington State Supreme Court Judge and WICA Board Member, and her husband Jon Bridge and their family, the scholarship has supported a total of six students so far.
The scholarship is currently open to seniors who will be pursuing art training at an accredited institution (music, dance, theater, visual, or humanities). The student does not have to major in art.
The scholarship ranges from $1,000 to $3,000. The application deadline is April 25. The applications can be found at each school's financial aid office. For seniors attending a private school on the island, contact info@WICAonline.org to receive the application.
Bobbe Bridge said the scholarships help support the dreams of an extraordinary number of very talented young people in Whidbey.
"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," she said. "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."
An American Thriller Inspired by the Live Radio Broadcasts of the 1950s Opens on the WICA Mainstage
Written by Sam Bobrick, Adapted and Directed by David Ossman and Orson Ossman
The mystery lovers among us will once again find the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA) home to an entertaining thriller—sure to keep the sleuths guessing and the audience entertained. Flemming: An American Comedy Thriller, will open on the WICA mainstage February 7 following a Pay What You Wish performance on February 6. This award-winning play was written by Sam Bobrick.
Firesign Theatre legend David Ossman and his son, writer-director Orson Ossman, have created a unique, conceptual stage production based on the big live broadcast hit radio comedies of the past, taped live in front of a studio audience each performance. Flemming is presented as a live radio broadcast from the 1950s—when actors worked with scripts in hand and a “Foley” sound effects team created all the rest, from cocktails and telephones to murder!
With a three-week run through February 22, Flemming is the story of Henry Flemming, who, bored with privilege and his mundane life, sells his lucrative brokerage firm to become a detective. A spoof of the noir thrillers from the 1940s and ’50s, the play is set in Connecticut and is a comedy turned thriller filled with an eccentric and witty cast.
"We're thrilled to have Flemming on the WICA stage," says Executive Artistic Director Deana Duncan. "It is a refreshing and avant-garde take on the noir murder mystery genre, with audiences feeling transported to the live radio performances from half a century ago. Our radio actors will literally be acting as on-air personalities, script in hand as they deliver their lines, and our sound effect actors will be creating an acoustic environment that will be a rich and immersive experience for audiences. We can't wait to share it with you all."
The cast for the WICA production is as follows:
- George Tirebiter, our Live broadcast host
- David Ossman, Walter
- Jim Scullin, Henry Flemming
- Suzi Dixon, Karen Flemming
- Tristan Steel, Stan Spencer
- Deana Duncan, Suzy Spencer
- Max Cole-Takanikos, Lt. Davis
- Kyle Collins, Vito Mardigian
- Cerys Bishop, Miss Havenhurst
- Tony Brewer, Foley Artist
- Zachary Schneider, Foley Assistant
An opening night party on February 7 will include small bites and a no host bar, and a specialty cocktail will be available throughout the theatre run. This production coincides with the City of Langley’s Murder/Mystery weekend, so don’t miss the fun of being in the audience for a “live taping” of this comedic mystery!
For writer-director Orson Ossman, it's all about transporting viewers to the glamour and intrigue of old Hollywood. Imagine, "it’s 73 degrees and the sun is shining. You pull into the studio lot. The gate guard gives you a guest pass and you find a parking spot. You walk past sound stages full of half-built sets and mingling working actors. You crane your neck to spot a familiar Hollywood face, but alas, they are all extras. You continue down a street that looks like New York, but you are in Los Angeles. You arrive at Stage 5 for the live taping of a long-running radio show, America’s favorite family comedy: The Flemmings. You hear in the hubbub of the crowd that they will be turning The Flemmings into a television series soon—what will that mean for the cast? What will become of the normal, suburban family of Westport, Connecticut? It probably won't be too different from the last hundred radio episodes…You sit in your seat with the rest of the tourists, also here to sneak a peek behind the scenes in Hollywood. It’s almost time for the live broadcast to begin, the Foley artist takes the stage, the lights dim…"
Highlighting Whidbey’s Beauty in Black and White
Film photography has been Thom Hall’s passion for more than forty years. It began with his studies of film development and darkroom techniques and grew from there. He transformed a spare bathroom in his house into a darkroom—blocking out stray light, setting up the enlarger, and turning on amber safelights. While listening to jazz, he watches as blank pieces of photo paper turn into stunning black and white representations of the world around us.
For Hall, who currently serves as secretary on the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA) Board of Directors, photography is part of his everyday life on Whidbey.
“I explore with a camera in hand and stay open to possibilities,” he says. “If a photograph doesn’t work the first time, I go back when the light is better and set up my tripod. Even with digital, I slow down and frame the photograph.”
Whether it is the Washington State Ferries shrouded in fog or the intricate details of a blooming sunflower, Hall’s images evoke intrigue and a connection to the world around us. Titled Whidbey in Black and White, this ongoing portfolio project will be on display in WICA’s Lasher Gallery through the end of February.
“I look for ordinary things that others do not see,” says Hall. “Each photograph stands alone and evokes something unique and special; together these pictures tell a story of our beautiful island.”
For Lasher Gallery Curator James Hinkley, Hall’s photography is the perfect complement to the Whidbey Island Film Festival (WIFF), scheduled for January 17-26.
“We are very excited to be presenting his work in black and white photography at the same time as our film festival—“In Glorious Black and White,” says Hinkley. “Hall’s scintillating photos really communicate stories, places, and moods using many of the same techniques used by the great directors and cinematographers of classic black and white films. Use of contrast, lighting, shadow, and composition really help to direct the viewer's eye to the desired focal point in each work. There is really something so unique about both black and white photography and black and white film—especially in the hands of artists like these.”
The gallery exhibit will open on January 17 to coincide with the festival’s red carpet opening party at 6pm. All of the prints will be available for purchase, with Hall donating all sale proceeds to WICA.
To learn more about WICA and the Lasher Gallery, visit WICAOnline.org.