Two weeks ago there was a lengthy article about the Vashon Center for the Arts and the history of the project and the finances (Arts Center answers a $6 million question).

It would have been a lovely thing had there been an emphasis on how generous Kay White was with her resources, jump-starting what is now a beautiful facility that we all enjoy, with fabulous acoustics. It would have been respectful to emphasize the challenges faced by the board along the way and how they were met under duress of the economic turndown, finding the monies to meet the mounting costs of construction and then, acting in good faith and with Kay White’s knowledge, adjusting the funding so as to complete our spectacular center. Is there anyone out there who has had a residential building project come in under budget?

Is there anyone out there who has had to change their mind and their plan as a result of financial pressure? I think that all of us had had such experiences, as did the board and the VAA, now VCA, leadership. Repeat, it would have been nice to read that they worked hard, amazingly hard to actualize an ambitious vision, acted in good faith in every instance, and themselves supported the Center financially and continue to do so. We are all well served to honor Kay White’s remarkable legacy and contribute to the ongoing support of this home for the visual and performing arts, her tribute to the breadth and diversity and depth of the professional and amateur artists among us in our island art colony. Kay White wanted to enrich our lives, and she succeeded mightily.

— Mary Frances Lyons