Bainbridge Islands Art Museum Opens Today!

After 5 long years of hard work, sweat and perseverance, Bainbridge Islands new art museum opens for the first time today.

Prominently located by the ferry terminal, it is one of the first things you see.  The statuesque 20,000 square foot building resembles the prow of a glass ship.

It all began as a dream of Cynthia Sears. After moving to Bainbridge Island in 1989, Sears began collecting pieces of art created by local artists but was dismayed that she could not share it publically.  By 2008 the museum site had been secured, and with Sears on board as a founding board member, things have progressed steadily since then. By most measures, it is the biggest public endeavor on Bainbridge Island since 2009.

The new museum has two floors, each with its own spacious gallery.  One of the galleries will display works from the permanent collection. The other is reserved for rotating shows that will be locally curated. A curving staircase, open to the light, connects the gallery, creating a grand effect on a compact scale. Inside the “ship’s prow,” an aquatic-themed installation, made from recycled materials by Port Townsend artist Margie McDonald, looms in a trapezoid of glass looking down in the direction of the ferry terminal.

For the museum’s opening, seven exhibits will be on display. They include a selection from the permanent collection, a retrospective of work by Bainbridge artist/children’s book author Barbara Helen Berger, and “First Light: Regional Group Exhibition,” co-curated by Robinson and six guest curators.

Event staff have constructed their white tents, white lights and bouquets in preparation for todays opening. Some 2,000 people are expected.

The entertainment lineup includes the:

• Bainbridge Symphony Brass, 11 a.m.
• Color Guard: Collin Hyde Post 172 American Legion
• Tentative Walrus, 12:15 p.m.
• Kate Power & Steve Einhorn, 1:15 p.m.
• The Suquamish Tribe Song & Dance Group, 1:45 p.m.
• Bainbridge Bluegrass Festival Performers, 2:15 p.m.
• Chele’s Kitchen, 3:15 p.m.
• Paundy, 5:00 p.m.

The Museum officially opens Friday, june 14, with a ribbon cutting ceremont at 11:15am.  Doors open at Noon.

Admission to both will be free, sponsored by Wells Fargo.

Bainbridge Art Museum

100 Ravine Ln NE,
Bainbridge Island, WA
(206) 842-4451

bainbridgeartmuseum.org