New leadership behind Langley’s creative district are looking to secure funding for repairs to a historic building on the Whidbey Island Fairgrounds.

Creative districts are geographically defined areas within the state that serve as hubs for cultural and economic activities. The one in the Village by the Sea was designated in 2020 by the Washington State Arts Commission and is named Langley Creates.

During a Port of South Whidbey meeting last week, members of the steering committee for the creative district explained that with the recertification of Langley Creates earlier this year, they are drafting a five-year work plan that includes improvements to the Burrier Building on the fairgrounds.

Named for homesteader Warren Burrier, the building can be rented to host events and workshops. During the Whidbey Island Fair this year, it was home to sewing, needlework and quilting exhibits.

“The goal is to make the space affordable and accessible, especially to underrepresented and emerging creatives,” David Price, a local business owner and member of the steering committee, said.

Grants from ArtsWA, the state Arts Commission, could help fund updates to the building, as well as other matching funds impact donations and partnerships with other arts organizations.

Price said the building is a little bit “drab and sad” inside, and new painting and lighting could help brighten it up. ADA accessibility could be improved with a new ramp at the side entrance. He also suggested uncovering the windows and reconditioning the floors, restoring its historic character.

Nicole Whittington-Johnson, executive director for the Langley Chamber of Commerce and also a steering committee member, said they thought there was a lot of value in the creative district’s original vision of connecting the downtown core with other parts of the city. She referenced applying for two potential grants, one this month and the other in March. She expects somewhere between $40,000 and $50,000 will be enough to get started on the project. A memorandum of understanding with the Port of South Whidbey, which owns the fairgrounds, would allow the steering committee to meet the upcoming grant deadline.

Fairgrounds Director Amanda Ellis, another member of the steering committee, said the Burrier Building has had one long-term tenant in the last four years, and that agreement didn’t last very long. She and the marketing and events coordinator have been trying to build a space that can be used by the community and reserved on a regular basis that doesn’t conflict with fair activities. In the past it has been used for yoga, art classes and dance practices. Ellis reported that the fair director was equally enthusiastic about the partnership.

Port Commissioner Jack Ng said the project sounded like a win-win. His fellow commissioner, Greg Easton, noted that Langley Creates is part of the creative economy, which falls within the port’s mission of economic development. The partnership also provides access to a new source of grant funding that the port otherwise wouldn’t have.

Members of the steering committee envision it becoming a multi-use space for emerging artists to show their work in a gallery format, as well as an area for lectures, performances and other cultural activities.