Wy’East
Bridges, Brushes and Bearings
In this collaborative work, Wy’East students bring together artistic expression, historical inquiry, and the striking geography of the Pacific Northwest. Inspired by their research on bridges, students reimagine the dramatic landscape of Deception Pass.
The piece begins with a layered collage capturing the region’s natural beauty—its rugged cliffs, shifting waters, and forested shores. Students then carefully cut and positioned the bridge itself, placing it prominently above the landscape to symbolize both connection and human ingenuity. Resin is used throughout the work, separating and sealing each layer, evoking the look of a ship’s window and inviting viewers to peer through time and place.
The artwork also reflects the historical moment when explorers Joseph Whidbey and George Vancouver were misled by the waterway, believing it to be a bay—an event that gave Deception Pass its name. Through this piece, students bridge past and present, weaving together story, structure, and the enduring relationship between people and the landscapes they navigate.
