Esther Jantzen

*PHOTO ESSAY: People’s Art on Whidbey Island

ART Exhibits, House-sitting, Local Color, PHOTO ESSAYS, TRAVEL / by

*PHOTO ESSAY: People’s Art on Whidbey Island

ART Exhibits, House-sitting, Local Color, PHOTO ESSAYS, TRAVEL / by

Certainly an advantage to being a house sitter in a new community, rather than a tourist, is that I have unrestricted time to mosey through market and residential areas that aren’t featured in Chamber of Commerce literature.

I particularly like to look for people’s art or public art, as opposed to gallery art, all over a town.

On out-of-the-way streets in the town of Langley on Whidbey Island, I got to discover what the ordinary (and extraordinary) townspeople think is important, funny, or beautiful. I’m charmed by sculpture—commissioned or home grown—outside houses or businesses, or by displays of humor, good-will, and individuals’ political persuasion through signage.

This town has a fair number of happily expressive people. Below a selection of what I saw on several ambles through this tiny town.

Down by the Langley waterfront, there’s a tribute to the indigenous peoples who were displaced by settlers, starting around 1848.

In the middle of town there’s a postage-stamp-sized park—kind of a peace park—with a Tibetan prayer wheel and a pelican.

The inscription says, “Within are a myriad of voices from around the world all raised in prayers for peace. Turn this drum to spin them out into the universe.”
“Rain drops keep falling on my head…”

Then there are residences with objets d’art verging on the outrageous.

If you look closely, that little orange sign says “CROWS ADOPTED HERE.”
Those two gentlemen in sunglasses sit out there in rain, sleet, and snow; I imagine they’re waiting for their ship to come in.
This bike looks fairly large in this picture, but it’s really tiny. What I liked was the little water bottle on the diagonal bar has a plant growing in it!

Whidbey is an island, so one can’t forget the life of the sea.

I assume this chap is watching for orca whales. The sculpture is by Georgia  Gerber.

And then there are creations outside of stores.

This cello from machine or auto parts sits outside the Blue Sound Music Store on First Street.
These children are reading near Kids Books & Puppets.
Outside the lovely Music for the Eyes store, which sells rugs and international gifts, one can sit among the fishes and contemplate a purchase.

Finally, my favorite fellow stands outside the South Whidbey Historical Museum. Don’t you think he looks a bit chilly, out there in the snow with no jacket?

Through all sorts of weather this “The Brush Cutter” by Georgia Gerber watches over the Historical Society.

Well, someone came to his rescue a few days after I took the picture above:

Ah, that’s a bit better. He still needs a coat, though.

Next up, if I get it together to gather the photos—”The Incomparable Dump!” Whidbey Island has an extraordinary recycling center.