STAGE NOTES
The WICA Blog
Whidbey WOW Stories
A celebration of the extraordinary lives and experiences of the Women of Whidbey.
WOW 2017
A casual question over dinner takes a lifetime to answer.
Trudy Martin wonders ‘what comes next?’
Three young women are committed to bringing Theatre back into the schools.
The snow doesn't need to be falling to enjoy this woman power song from Irving Berlin's “White Christmas.”
A song that honors Ella Baker and all who work for freedom.
“Have I done enough with my life?”
Art, Anxiety, and Activism.
Michele talks about growing up in Langley’s creative sub-cultures.
Dance, Poetry, and Song.
Stevie Wonder’s “Vision” spoke to her soul when she heard it at 17 and it has stayed relevant throughout her life.
What if "find your passion" isn't useful advice?
“We are spiritual beings immersed in a human experience.”
After years of teaching, travel, and writing eight books, Christina brings story home to her heart.
MORE STORIES CAN BE FOUND ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL.
YOUR SUPPORT TODAY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER
As a nonprofit arts organization, Whidbey Island Center for the Arts relies on support from our community. Please consider the role that art plays in your life, and support your center with a gift of any amount today.
NATIONAL POETRY MONTH
Happy National Poetry Month!
National Poetry Month was launched by the Academy of American Poets in April 1996 to remind us that poets have an integral role to play in our culture and that poetry matters.
While we #StayAtHome, we’re turning to poetry for inspiration, solace, and strength.
We hope the virtual National Poetry Month information and activities below will bring you joy and encourage you to keep celebrating poetry all year long!
10 Ways to Celebrate
Sign-up for Poem-a-Day and read a poem each morning.
Record yourself reading a poem and share it online using the hashtag #ShelterInPoems.
Subscribe to the Poem-a-Day podcast.
Check out an e-book of poetry from Sno-Isle Libraries.
Meet Claudia Castro Luna, our state poet laureate.
Organize a poetry reading, open mic, or poetry slam via a video conferencing service.
Sign up for an online poetry class or workshop.
Start a virtual poetry reading group or potluck, inviting friends to share poems.
Write an exquisite corpse with friends via email, text, or social media.
Send us your recommendations!
Films about Poets and Poetry
A Quiet Passion | Cynthia Nixon portrays Emily Dickinson in this biographical drama, which recounts the poet’s life and features some of her famous verses.
The Basketball Diaries | Based on the autobiography by poet and artist Jim Carroll, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, this film depicts Carroll's reckless youth and the writing that becomes his means of clarity.
Before Night Falls | Javier Bardem plays Cuban poet Reinaldo Arenas in this film, adapted from Arenas's own memoir.
Bright Star | Ben Whishaw and Abbie Cornish play John Keats and Franny Brawne in this biographical romantic drama about the famous couple, which features several of Keats’s poems and takes its title from one of Keats’s famous love sonnets.
Il Postino | In this 1994 Italian film, a postman develops a relationship with his only customer, famous poet Pablo Neruda, living in exile in Italy, and through Neruda’s poetry, is better able to express his feelings to his love interest.
Kill Your Darlings | This biographical drama, starring Daniel Radcliffe as Allen Ginsberg, Dane DeHaan as Lucien Carr, Ben Foster as William S. Burroughs, and Jack Huston as Jack Kerouac, takes place in the early days of the Beat Movement when a 1944 murder affects the group of young writers.
Piñero | Benjamin Bratt stars in this biopic about Puerto Rican poet-playwright Miguel Piñero, who cofounded the Nuyorican Poets Café in New York City.
Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle | The Algonquin Round Table comes alive in this film, which features Jennifer Jason Leigh as Dorothy Parker.
Set Fire to the Stars | Elijah Wood stars as poet John M. Brinnin and Celyn Jones stars as Dylan Thomas in this 2014 Welsh film, based on Brinnin’s memoir of the same name.
Sylvia | The relationship of Ted Hughes, played by Daniel Craig, and Sylvia Plath, played by Gwyneth Paltrow, is detailed in this film, which begins with the couple's courtship as young college students.
Tom & Viv | Willem Dafoe and Miranda Richardson star as T. S. Eliot and Vivienne Haigh-Wood in a film that depicts their tumultuous marriage and Eliot's literary success.
Total Eclipse | This film captures the turbulent, explosive affair between Parisian poets Paul Verlaine, played by David Thewlis, and Arthur Rimbaud, played by Leonardo DiCaprio.
Wilde | Based on Richard Ellmann’s Pulitzer Prize-winning biography of the famous poet, novelist, and playwright, Wilde, starring Jennifer Ehle, Vanessa Redgrave, Jude Law, and Stephen Fry as the eponymous writer.
IN THE GALLERY
Doors may be closed, but the virtual Lasher Gallery is always open. Enjoy!
CRAP: CREATIVE RECYCLED ART PROJECT
The show features the work of several Whidbey artists who use recycled and found objects in new ways. Leftovers from their carpentry, textile, glass, jewelry, metal, print and other art projects combine with unusual materials to create fun and stimulating pieces of art.
FEBRUARY SHOW
MEET THE ARTISTS
Sarah Dial Primrose
Deborah Eimers
Katrina Hude
Natalie Olsen
Zoe Osenbach
Janet Pheifer
Paula Pugh
Let us know if you’d like more information about the art or artists.
MEET THE ARTISTS
Let us know if you’d like more information about the art or artists.
EXPLORE LOCALS ART GALLERIES
#STAYATHOME READING LIST
WHAT WE’RE READING
Marion J. is reading
A Bigger Table: Building Messy, Authentic, and Hopeful Spiritual Community by John Pavlovitz
“Because we need a more inclusive, diverse and joyful world.
Mercer Girls by Libbie Hawker
”…it is the story of women who helped shape the Seattle and Whidbey areas.”
Andy V. is reading
Us and Them: Understanding Your Tribal Mind by David Berreby
“An engrossing read into human nature, the human psyche, and the dynamics underlying the forces of tribalism that have driven human societies from ancient times into the present.”
Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman
“A light of insight and knowledge to help us find our way forward through these dark times.”
Judith B. is reading
Whiskey When We're Dry by John Larison
Trace Elements by Donna Leon
Ana Marie L. is reading
Cross Creek by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
“She also authored The Yearling. The writing is superb, imagery sharp, and characters ones we have known or would like to meet.”
Jacqui W. suggests
The Red Lotus by Chris Bohjalian
“…appropriate for these times…”
Marion J. suggests
Finding Themselves: The Letters of an American Army Chief Nurse in a British Hospital in France by Julia Catherine Stimson
Dangerous Women by George R.R. Martin
Marie O. suggests
The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World by Melinda Gates
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
“Wonderful books. ENJOY!”
Leslie B. is reading
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
“I loved Celeste Ng's Everything I Never Told You. One of my favorites. Want to read Little Fires before I watch the series on TV.”
Lisa D. is reading
The Ghost Map. The story of London's most terrifying epidemic—and how it changed science, cities, and the modern world by Steven Johnson
Shelley D. is reading
Death's Dancer (Grace Bloods #1) by Jasmine Silvera
Jason D. is reading
The Tao of Pooh and The Te of Piglet (The Way, With The Enchanted Neighborhood) by Benjamin Hoff
Mark C. is reading
After Visiting Friends: A Son's Story by Michael Hainey
Tell us what you’re reading and we’ll add it to the list!
YOUR SUPPORT TODAY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER
As a nonprofit arts organization, Whidbey Island Center for the Arts relies on support from our community. Please consider the role that art plays in your life and support your center with a gift of any amount today.
ART
Enjoy works by local artists in our virtual Lasher Gallery, tour museums and installations around the world, and shop local while you #StayAtHome.
GALLERIES, MUSEUMS, and experiences
★ ART GALLERIES ★
THE LASHER GALLERY AT WICA, LANGLEY
This month, we’re featuring works by local artists Nancy Frances, Heidi Hoelting, Gail Liston, Liesel Lund, Janet McGregor, and Ginny O'Neill.
Johannesburg Art Gallery, Johannesburg
Johannesburg Browse more than 500 works from Africa's largest art gallery. The museum houses plenty of works form Dutch and other European artists, but it also offers an array of works from South African artists. For a more historical angle, browse their online exhibit about the role of photography and resistance in the era of Apartheid.
MUSÉE D’ORSAY, PARIS
You can virtually walk through this popular gallery that houses dozens of famous works from French artists who worked and lived between 1848 and 1914. Get a peek at artworks from Monet, Cézanne, and Gauguin, among others.
NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART, WASHINGTON, D.C.
This famous American art museum features two online exhibits. The first is an exhibit of American fashion from 1740 to 1895, including many renderings of clothes from the colonial and Revolutionary eras. The second is a collection of works from Dutch Baroque painter Johannes Vermeer.
National Portrait Gallery, Washington, D.C.
The intimate nature of portraiture makes this museum a particularly great option for a home browse. Our suggestion: Now's the time to take a closer look at the Obama portraits everyone raves about.
UFFIZI GALLERY, FLORENCE
This less well-known gallery houses the art collection of one of Florence, Italy’s most famous families, the de'Medicis. The building was designed by Giorgio Vasari in 1560 specifically for Cosimo I de'Medici, but anyone can wander its halls from anywhere in the world.
★ MUSEUMS ★
African American History and Culture, Washington, D.C.
If you've ever wanted to visit an extremely popular museum but couldn't seem to nab tickets, a virtual tour is the next best thing! This one gives you just a taste of what the museum has to offer, and where in the museum each feature is located.
BRITISH MUSEUM, LONDON
This iconic museum located in the heart of London allows virtual visitors to tour the Great Court and discover the ancient Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies. You can also find hundreds of artifacts on the museum’s virtual tour.
GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM, NEW YORK
Begin your tour the Guggenheim’s famous spiral staircase. From there, you can discover incredible works of art from the Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, Modern, and Contemporary eras.
MASP, SÃO PAULO
The Museu de Arte de São Paulo is a non-profit and Brazil’s first modern museum. Artworks placed on clear perspex frames make it seem like the artwork is hovering in midair. Take a virtual tour to experience the wondrous display for yourself.
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY, MEXICO CITY
Built in 1964, this museum is dedicated to the archaeology and history of Mexico’s pre-Hispanic heritage. There are 23 exhibit rooms filled with ancient artifacts, including some from the Mayan civilization.
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY ART, SEOUL
One of Korea’s popular museums can be accessed from anywhere around the world. This virtual tour takes you through six floors of Contemporary art from Korea and all over the globe.
PERGAMON MUSEUM, BERLIN
As one of Germany’s largest museums, Pergamon has a lot to offer – even if you can’t physically be there. This historical museum is home to plenty of ancient artifacts including the Ishtar Gate of Babylon and, of course, the Pergamon Altar.
RIJKSMUSEUM, AMSTERDAM
Explore the masterworks from the Dutch Golden Age, including works from Vermeer and Rembrandt.
SEATTLE ART MUSEUM, SEATTLE
SAM”s long-running “Object of the Week” blog series features women artists throughout Women’s History Month.
THE J. PAUL GETTY MUSEUM, LOS ANGELES
European artworks from as far back as the 8th Century can be found in this California art museum. Discover a huge collection of paintings, drawings, sculptures, manuscripts, and photographs.
VAN GOGH MUSEUM, AMSTERDAM
Anyone who is a fan of this tragic, ingenious painter can see his works up close (or, almost up close) by virtually visiting this museum – the largest collection of artworks by Vincent van Gogh, including over 200 paintings, 500 drawings, and over 750 personal letters.
★ ART EXPERIENCES ★
Kusama's Infinity mirrors
If you missed one of the hottest traveling museum exhibits of the past few years, ooh and ahh at a brisk room-by-room rundown of the hypnotic, multi-faceted work of Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama.
Banksy Murals around the world
Go on an artistic treasure hunt -- without the hunt part. With something like street art, it's much more interesting to see the work it its full context, than just through a close-up.
Van Gogh's Starry Night at moma
These close-up looks at famous paintings are so intense, you may think a docent will start yelling at you. Few paintings are suited to such a treatment than the bold, textured lines of The Starry Night.
Street Art tours
Explore the stories behind street art across the world with audio-guided tours and online exhibitions, offered by the Google Cultural Institute.
SHOP LOCAL (ONLINE)
SUGGESTED READING
13 Art Dealers Share the Books That Helped Them Navigate the Art World
RESOURCES
9 Artists’ Art Lessons You Can Watch Online for Free
Learn to Draw Anything with These Handy Online Resources and Books
20+ YouTube Channels to Learn How to Draw for Free
Learn How to Draw Human Hands With This “Handy” Step by Step Guide
Step-by-Step Doodle Tutorials Make Complex Subjects Easy to Draw
Perfect Your Portraiture by Learning How to Draw a Face
The Getty Publications Virtual Library offers more than 300 of its books to read and download for free.
Met Publications (Metropolitan Museum of Art) has 50+ years of publications available to read, download, or search for free.
LET US KNOW IF YOU FIND OTHER VIRTUAL GALLERIES AND MUSEUMS!
YOUR SUPPORT TODAY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER
As a nonprofit arts organization, Whidbey Island Center for the Arts relies on support from our community. Please consider the role that art plays in your life and support your center with a gift of any amount today.