The Langley Arts Fund (LAF) is one of those quietly powerful community organizations that’s been transforming South Whidbey, one creative project at a time. Run entirely by volunteers, LAF was founded in 2018 with the mission to build community and a sense of place through public art. Their projects are joyful, meaningful, and designed to bring people together in unexpected and beautiful ways.
Did you know? The much-loved Wishing Whale sculpture at Whale Bell Park is one of LAF’s first big projects—created by local artist Georgia Gerber and installed in 2020. Thanks to an ADA grant from the state, LAF also made the site more accessible by creating a pathway to the overlook at Saratoga Passage. And they didn’t stop there. In 2024, they completed the space with the Wishing Wall, a whimsical and reflective installation by artist Melissa Koch. Inspired by the meeting of land and sea, the piece uses copper and earthy tones to bring both beauty and intention to the space.
LAF also helped launch the Uprise Gallery, a youth art and education space at the South Whidbey Community Center. Partnering with Readiness to Learn and Campus Stewards, they created a dedicated gallery for young people to exhibit their work and explore their creativity. It’s open to the public and already becoming a beloved fixture in the community.
Investing in What Comes Next
Behind every piece of public art is a lot of planning, relationship-building, and elbow grease. That’s why Whidbey Community Foundation awarded a Nonprofit Capacity Building Grant to help Langley Arts Fund strengthen the systems and structures that make all this work possible.
LAF is using this grant to build a stronger foundation for the future—developing a strategic plan, creating a simple system for tracking donations and grants, and laying the groundwork for long-term sustainability. They’re also thinking about what comes next: How can they recruit younger and more diverse board members? What types of projects will keep people inspired and engaged? How do they keep saying yes to creative ideas while also staying organized?
To help guide this phase of growth, they’ve teamed up with facilitator and organizational coach Peggy Gilmer, who’s helping the team align their values, talents, and vision for what’s ahead.
Fun fact: LAF is already dreaming up more experiential installations and public art projects that are integrated into buildings and shared spaces across South Whidbey. The goal? To keep using art to make everyday places more welcoming, memorable, and alive with meaning.
We’re so proud to support Langley Arts Fund during this exciting time. Their commitment to creativity, community, and accessibility is shaping the cultural landscape of Whidbey Island—and we can’t wait to see what they do next.
Learn more at: www.langleyartsfund.org
Support Nonprofit Capacity-Building Grants
CF’s Nonprofit Capacity-Building Grant Program strengthens the internal operations of Whidbey Island nonprofits, ensuring they have the tools to grow and sustain their impact. By funding staff and board development, technology upgrades, financial planning, and strategic assessments, WCF helps organizations build long-term resilience. Investing in organizational infrastructure rather than direct program costs allows nonprofits to operate more effectively and expand their impact in the community.
WCF is able to provide grants like these with broad support from our community. If you are interested in supporting the Nonprofit Capacity-Building Grant Program, we invite you to make a contribution to WCF’s Foundation Fund, which holistically supports our grant programs, nonprofit trainings/workshops, and WCF operations. Our Board of Directors allocates funding each year to ensure nonprofits have access to critical resources. WCF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to Whidbey Island; all donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Learn about different ways to make a charitable contribution here.