Enriching lives through the power of art is at the heart of the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA) mission—and that all begins within the community. In 2023, the WICA Board of Directors relaunched its scholarship program with the Bridge Family Scholarship, named for current Board Chair Bobbe Bridge and her family. 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.

Reaching students throughout the island was key to the scholarship’s purpose, which Bridge saw as a way to honor the diversity of talent found on Whidbey and to support recent graduates who remain committed to an artistic future—whatever that may look like.

“It’s open to those who have demonstrated art is important to them,” says Bridge. “However it’s expressed, they will continue to have that as a part of their lives and make sure it’s part of any community they’re [in].”

This year, the scholarship was awarded to three island graduates, with each receiving $1,667 to be used as they pursue the next step in their educational journeys.

“WICA believes in the transformational power of the arts and we know we must support and nurture our youth in their dreams and goals,” says Deana Duncan, WICA’s executive artistic director. “Art makes a difference.”

For Duncan, it’s important to prioritize STEAM curricula—which includes a focus on the arts, in addition to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)—in today’s educational institutions.

“Adding arts to STEM incorporates the study of humanities, language arts, dance, drama, music, visual arts and media and allows students to explore and master artistic subjects that will enrich their lives and support them in their professional and personal growth,” says Duncan. “We see creativity, persuasion, and collaboration as top skills companies have listed for prospective employees, and these are also the hallmarks of a strong arts education.”

Connecting with youth through arts education programming is a key component of WICA’s work in the community. This includes a focus on outreach opportunities that create spaces for critical thinking, joy and the celebration of self for the island’s youth. For Duncan, taking that commitment and extending it beyond WICA’s walls is what makes this scholarship so important.

“We work with all ages and to see these students who have grown up on Whidbey find their voice, choose their paths and move forward with art at the core of their lives is a joy,” she says. “We are so proud of them and thankful to the Bridge family and WICA Board of Directors for funding three local scholarships this year. Our mission is to impact and enrich lives through powerful shared experiences in the arts. This scholarship allows us to honor the mission and help our local youth.”

For scholarship recipient Ada Faith-Feyma, who will be studying forensic psychology at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City, involvement in the arts began at an early age.

“My entire family is artistic—my mother is a pianist and two of my siblings are heavy metal musicians. I grew up following mom to her rehearsals and renting old musicals from the library,” she says. “It’s safe to say I’ve always been interested in art. When I was in the first grade, my dad found a flyer for a summer camp at WICA where they were putting on a production of Fantastic Mr. Fox, directed by the one and only Deana Duncan. From there I was set.”

Hoping to pursue drama classes in college “focused on justice and current world problems,” Faith-Feyma sees art as central to the exciting new chapter she is embarking on.

A commitment to art has also been a constant for scholarship recipient Abigail Ireland, who began playing instruments at an early age.

“I played my first instrument in 5th grade and instantly fell in love with the challenges and satisfactions that came along with learning how to read and play music,” she says.

For this incoming first-year student at the University of San Francisco who plans on majoring in environmental science with a possible minor in music or history, WICA’s support is a wonderful recognition of the passion she has for the arts.

“Music is intertwined into all aspects of my life, I always want to have the opportunity to play and perform music for fun and to challenge myself,” she says. “I am grateful to be recognized for my passion for music. That motivates me to learn and grow.”

For Bridge, the scholarship’s purpose is to support all artistic educational paths, highlighting the importance art plays in our world.

“Art is necessary for a full life,” she says. “[Now is] a time to ensure we’re bringing up young people who appreciate the arts. It’s just such a great part of our community, our culture, [and] what brings people together.”

As WICA looks ahead to the future of art on Whidbey Island, it’s clear that supporting the next generation of art lovers is key to continued success.

“Human creativity consists of imagination, ideas, and the willingness to take risks. We must support and nurture our youth in following creative endeavors so that the arts can flourish and touch lives in profound ways,” says Duncan. “WICA is dedicated to arts in education and building our scholarship base to help Whidbey's youth continue their journey in the arts.”