The Good News of Good Architecture: UUC Whidbey Island

Project Summary
Congregation: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Whidbey Island
Architect: Flat Rock Productions, Langley, WA
Contractor: unnamed in published information
Type: New construction, 4000 s.f.
Estimated cost: $700,000
Space: Worship, kitchen, classrooms
Space in use: October 2008
Article about the building dedication
Article about the project groundbreaking

The winter issue of UU World features an article about the art components in the worship space at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Whidbey Island:

The 89-member congregation includes quite a few artists, including painters, musicians, and woodcarvers, said Mary Goolsby, a member of the Visual Arts Committee. “Many of us contributed in some way toward creating our building,” she said. Goolsby and fellow member Nola Allen designed two fabric art panels depicting trees, which hang at the front of the sanctuary.

You can read the full article here.

It seems that part of the secret of UUC Whidbey’s artistic success is the presence of a Visual Arts Committee. Their pdf brochure outlines the committee’s mission and authority: “The purpose of the UUCWI Visual Arts Committee is to serve as a clearing house for ideas concerning the selection, use and display of all art objects within and around the church building and for maintaining the integrity of the aesthetics of our building.”

Having a decision-making body responsible for saying yes AND for saying no is an important part of any construction project, and an important part of on-going facilities maintenance. Congregations are especially prone to being places where people bring things they don’t want anymore or don’t know what to do with. Congratulations to UUC Whidbey Island for their thoughtfully designed and beautifully maintained facility.