This year’s Showcase of the Arts was held April 30 at the Coupeville Recreation Hall. Each year, the Whidbey Island Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) sponsors the show to display the work of artists from all three high schools.
A special feature of the show was “100 Bowls for Japan,” a fundraiser for Japanese earthquake and tsunami survivors. An Oak Harbor High School pottery class used 16 pottery wheels to finish the bowls in a single class period. The students sold the bowls for $5 each and raised more than $700 with sales and donations.
Three judges from the local arts community selected winners from four categories: wall art, photography, sculpture and wearable art.
This year’s judges were: Nancy Sanders, a multi-talented artist and custom picture framer involved in island arts since 1977; John Olsen, a photographer focusing on Whidbey Island’s natural beauty and historic treasures; and Joan Brosnahan, a well-known watercolor and mixed media artist.
First, second, and third-place winners are as follows:
Wall art, Melanie Meyer, Bailey Martinez and Desiree Gallegos, Oak Harbor High School.
Photography: Celina Dill, Will Habel and Colin Sulgrove of South Whidbey High School.
Sculpture: Trace Paul, Kris Gomes and Sam Amezquita, Oak Harbor High School.
Jewelry/Wearable Art: Rachel Mueller, Annie Frosolone and Tyler Mobley, Oak Harbor High School.
Honorable Mention computer art: Will Hallberg, South Whidbey High School.