The South Whidbey School Board proclaimed May to be Arts Education Month at its recent business meeting.

The proclamation is part of a statewide recognition. The decree states the arts are considered an “essential component,” which enrich the lives of all students and teaches creative problem-solving.

Somewhat fortuitously, several members of the Whidbey Island Arts Council presented their plan for an art extravaganza in early June to support the Artist in Residence program at the South Whidbey School District. Gordy Edberg, the current artist in residence, explained his work with students at South Whidbey Elementary School. He has planned an incorporated art and science lesson during a field trip to the Langley Marina and a tour of Meerkerk Gardens in May, after which students will sketch their environments.

“Our goal here with the Artist in Residence program is to be a resource to teachers that they can use in their curriculum planning,” Edberg said.

The Whidbey Festival of the Arts is scheduled for the first weekend of June at South Whidbey High School. The festival runs from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 1, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 2. There will be live music, food booths and student demonstrations in ceramics, photography and printmaking.