Updated March 14, 2023/yo
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
It’s hardly surprising that Whidbey and Camano Islands have long been a haven for artists. The breathtaking natural beauty and laidback island lifestyle are excellent building blocks for inspiration. Here you’ll find everyone from award-winning screenwriters to casual weekend potters; from renowned sculptors to amateur watercolorists, and everything in between. Hence the flourishing arts councils on both islands, and the huge number of art events in a typical year.
Studio Tours
One popular way to see art, and meet the creators behind it, is the annual Studio Tour. Artists of all stripes open their studios to the public for a peek behind the curtain at their creative process. On Camano Island, this takes place over Mother’s Day weekend and the following weekend; on Whidbey Island, the event is for one weekend in August. They’ve become so popular that both islands usually have close to 40 locations to explore and the opportunity to purchase artwork for your own creative sanctum.
Art is Everywhere
There’s no need to wait for a particular weekend, here in the islands we’re surrounded by art every day. A great option to keep you outside is a visit to one of our many sculpture gardens, blending human art with Mother Nature’s. On Camano Island you can experience Matzke Fine Art and Design Sculpture Garden. On Whidbey, check out Langley’s Schouten Gallery and Sculpture Garden, or Earth Sanctuary in Freeland. The newest addition is the Price Sculpture Forest near Coupeville, just opened in late 2020.
To make an evening of it, stop in at Blooms Winery and Bistro in Freeland, where you can enjoy the art gallery, a glass of local wine, and maybe some live music too. Then there’s the First Saturday Art Walks each month in Langley and Oak Harbor, where you can explore local galleries and meet featured artists. Many galleries use this event to kick off new shows, and most serve complimentary wine and hors d’oeuvres or feature live music. For a rotating variety of art shows and events, keep an eye on the Whidbey Allied Artists website. This local non-profit collective started in the 1950s and describes themselves as a “floating gallery.”
Dive Deeper
Oak Harbor has an Art Trail through the city’s streets and parks.
Artist Portrait: Georgia Gerber
One of the region’s favorite artists is Georgia Gerber. Her whimsical sculptures are on both Whidbey and Camano Islands and, of course, Pike Place Market, where her pig is enjoyed by thousands each year. Take a sneak peek into the artists’ studio and learn how these beautiful sculptures are created.
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Artists Seeking Artists
Another staple on the arts calendar is the Coupeville Arts and Crafts Festival. A summertime tradition going back nearly 60 years, this event brings people to the historic waterfront for art, music, and culinary creations. Coupeville is also home to the Pacific Northwest Art School, where working artists share their knowledge with students of all levels across many mediums. Classes and workshops are also available with nationally-recognized instructors at the Whidbey Island Fine Art Studio in Langley. Get your hands dirty at Freeland’s new Whidbey Clay Center, offering pottery classes and workspace.
Artistic Solitude
Or perhaps your inner artist is seeking solitude? To escape the hectic pace of life and book your own mini retreat in nature, consider Four Springs on Camano Island, a gorgeous 50-acre nature preserve with an event center at the heart of it. Or Camp Casey Conference Center in central Whidbey, where history and nature collide in a breathtaking setting. Other inspirational places to stay include Camano Island Inn right on the water, Country Cottages within easy walking distance of all Langley’s downtown galleries, or Wildwood Farm B&B near Oak Harbor, where gardens and horseback riding are right at your door.