Spotlights Stories

Stories from Stone

by Dianna MacLeod in Spotlight

In “Stories Shaped from Stone,” writer Siri Bardarson profiles sculptor (and Whidbey Life Magazine founder) Sue Taves. See more of Sue’s sculpture, and explore how she thinks and feels about stone, in the pages of the Fall/Winter 2018 print issue.

Home Grown for the Holidays

by Dianna MacLeod in Spotlight

Is there a better way to celebrate the bounty of the season and honor our farmers than to serve locally-grown food at your holiday table? Tour the Farms of Whidbey in the pages of the Fall/Winter 2018 print magazine for more ideas about what to serve and where to find it. Penn Cove Shellfish Eckholm […]

Home Made for the Holidays

by Dianna MacLeod in Spotlight

In her article, Home Made for the Holidays in the Fall/Winter 2018 print issue, writer Kate Poss ices the cake. The print issue is replete with photos of creations by Whidbey Island confectioners and bakers. Here’s just a preview of what’s being served for dessert!

Distilling the Essence

by Dianna MacLeod in Spotlight

Whidbey Island is home to three distilleries dedicated to producing premium spirits crafted by hand. In “Distilling the Essence” writer Steve Kilisky takes you into a bunker, a barn, and a boathouse where the magic happens. To see more photos and are read the article, pick up the Fall/Winter 2018 print issue of Whidbey Life […]

Indigo Blues

by Dianna MacLeod in Spotlight

In Dyeing for the Blues, writer Keke Cribbs introduces you to three textile artists: Patti King, Cheryl Lawrence, and Carys Hamer. In Leaf Magic, an essay by writer Deborah Nedelman, Deborah tries her hand(s) at using fresh indigo leaves to dye a scarf during a class given by textile artist Cheryl Lawrence. To see more […]

A Place to Call Home: The Imagination and Influence of Whidbey Island Architects

by Tom Trimbath in Spotlight

From grand manors to one-room cabins, all kinds of houses exist on Whidbey Island. Although several things influence the size and appearance of our built structures, the budgets and tastes of the owners are primary among them. And to some extent, the diversity of island houses reflects the diversity of those who design them—our local architects.

Is there a style or type of house that represents the quintessential Whidbey Island home? Does the influence of place exert a unifying effect? Or any effect at all?

Four island architects reflect on how the spirit of place shapes their aesthetic and finds its way into some of our island dwellings.

Ensuring Beach Access for All

by Dianna MacLeod in Nature, Spotlight

Most people can take advantage of the many points of beach access available to the public on Whidbey Island (Public Beach Access Map). But if you’re mobility challenged, what’s labeled “public beach access” doesn’t mean access for you.

Those who can maneuver over uneven terrain, climb over driftwood, and maintain their balance in soft sand may never think about what it’s like to be confined to the parking lot because a wheelchair or crutches can’t go any farther.

Mel Trenor was motivated to find a solution to that problem. He’s a member of Island Beach Access (IBA), a nonprofit group dedicated to “identifying, mapping, signing, and preserving access to the public shorelines of Island County for the legal and rightful use of its citizens, for future generations.”

Visit Artists in Their Natural Habitats at the Open Studio Tour

by Guest Contributor in Spotlight, Visual Art, Whidbey Working Artists Showcase

For artists, creative space extends beyond their studio walls: It’s a way of observing interior and exterior landscapes. The studio becomes a place to distill, refine, and reflect on an interpretation or move into an abstraction of an idea or concept. As you choose from among the 44 studios and 61 artists participating in this year’s Open Studio Tour, you’ll discover bits and pieces of artists and their art. Is this a solitary artist? Does this artist thrive in social connection? What inspires him or her? What do artists take with them as they begin to work, and what do they shut out?