WIAC History Project
Established on February 10, 1980 as the Island Arts Council – according to the Articles of Incorporation, the founding Board of Directors initially consisted of nine persons:
Soon afterward, others also joined the board... Doll Hassrick • Sam Bigelow • Norma Jean Milleur • Ric Prael • Ron Childers • Les Dunner • Elyse Guirado • Robert J. Wolff Many others took part along the way, to connect and promote the Whidbey creative community and realize common artistic goals. The History Project, devoted to what made WIAC the organization it is today, will unfold as a work-in-progress. Check back for updates, including stories and memorabilia shared by past board members and articles from the South Whidbey Record. Special thanks to volunteer Mary Gaines for collecting the materials uploaded to this site! We are grateful to the founders of Island Arts Council, both named and not, whose ideas, energy and enthusiasm developed into an organization that continues to support the Whidbey creative community today. "The process of promoting the arts is a complex one," said Duane Dickerson, following the Council's initial 1979 fundraiser. "The council must act as a resource... to provide the human resources and expertise, which will facilitate successful endeavors." Dickerson emphasized the need for the highest quality endeavors. "It is something larger than any single one of us," he said. (PICTURED) Island Arts Council's first newsletter publication, Spring 1980 (upper left), Admission ticket to the Island Arts Council initial fundraising event on New Year's Eve, 1979 (bottom left), and Page from the original Articles of Incorporation (below). |