Bainbridge Island, WA, is an art destination for artists and art lovers. Creativity surrounds you. Read on for why you must explore the Bainbridge Island art scene. — Photo above courtesy Dinah Satterwhite
Bainbridge Island, WA, sits across Puget Sound from Seattle—but a world away. You can feel the worries melt away when you step onto the island from the ferry. With the beautiful shoreline, towering trees, and flowers blooming everywhere, it’s easy to know why Bainbridge Island has inspired so many artists.
Bainbridge is a community filled with artisans, welcoming those who come to appreciate the art, chat with the artists, and take home a unique piece of artwork. As fused glass artist Debra Arend explains, “Bainbridge is an artistic community, and people are creative because they work in tech or the arts, but they’re also creative because they live in such a fabulous place.”
So whether you come on the ferry for a day trip or plan an extended stay to better experience the art scene, here are highlights of art on Bainbridge Island.
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Bainbridge Creative District
When you step off the ferry, you walk a block and find yourself on Winslow, the downtown center of Bainbridge. The Bainbridge Creative District houses museums, galleries, a performing arts center, and—if you time your visit right—home to a First Friday Art Walk and a twice-yearly Studio Tour.
Bainbridge Island Museum of Art
As you enter town, you’ll see the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (BIMA) on the corner. Admission is free, and the museum provides a great introduction to the art on Bainbridge Island. The building itself is gorgeous and is a LEED Gold-certified building. We enjoyed exploring the exhibits and returned a second day to enjoy lunch on the patio.
Bainbridge Island Museum of Art. Photo courtesy Bainbridge Island Museum of Art
BIMA has a permanent art collection featuring contemporary art. Much of it also reflects the culture and crafts of Puget Sound.
BIMA has a nice selection of permanent and rotating exhibits. Photo courtesy Bainbridge Island Museum of Art
Rotating exhibits are curated to represent this part of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. One of the temporary exhibits I loved during my visit was Syncopation by Nancy Mintz. This Bellingham, Washington, artist created the work of art using Japanese paper and brass. I loved how it wrapped around the wall and welcomed me into the museum.
Syncopation by Nancy Mintz on display at BIMA. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham
BIMA also has a unique exhibit of Artists’ Books. These fascinate me because it is such a unique blend of my love of books and the world of visual art. The creativity of some of these art books blew me away.
The BIMA building is gorgeous, making it a perfect backdrop for the art collections. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham
Bainbridge Island Historical Museum
Although it’s not specifically art-related, I recommend you take a tiny detour off Winslow for a block or so to Bainbridge Island Historical Museum. This is the best way I discovered to understand the people and history of Bainbridge, which helped me better appreciate the art.
Along with the permanent collection, there is a rotating exhibit. When I visited in August, the exhibit was “Trees.” It featured the photos of local photographer Joel Sackett. He captured some of the few remaining old-growth trees on the island and showcased how they impact island heritage.
Strolling Down Winslow Way
As you continue down Winslow Way, in the heart of the Creative District, you’ll pass a variety of galleries and boutiques, many featuring the work of local artists. My favorite is Bainbridge Arts & Crafts at 151 Winslow Way East.
Stop by Bainbridge Arts & Crafts on Bainbridge Island. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham
Bainbridge Arts & Crafts began in 1948 as a nonprofit to “provide creative activity for the Bainbridge Island community.” Today, it is a beautiful gallery and a lovely shop that brings free art education to communities throughout Kitsap County.
You’ll find paintings, prints, glass, wood, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, clothing arts, and more in the gallery. Artists from the Pacific Northwest create everything. A monthly reception during the First Friday Art Walk is open to the public, and you’ll likely have a chance to speak with some artists.
Bainbridge Creative District’s Fall Arts Festival
The Creative District is also the location for the annual Fall Arts Festival, held at the end of September/early October each year.
The free, week-long celebration highlights the island’s creativity. You’ll find plenty of art, food, music, wine, and more. Events range from a violin workshop to a chocolate workshop. Maybe you’d love an afternoon knitting, an African dance workshop, or a classical Japanese dance performance. BIMA shows film shorts while local wineries host live music and wine tastings.
Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network
But it’s not just in the Creative District along Winslow that you’ll find art on Bainbridge Island. I discovered something new wherever I turned.
One of the most impressive is the Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network, or BARN. BARN is a creative community workspace. Artist Naomi Spinak likened it to a co-working space for creatives. “This is my home away from home,” Spinak explained as we sat in one of the gathering spots talking about art on Bainbridge.
There are online and in-person classes along with 10 studios. You don’t have to be a resident to attend a class. If you’re coming to Bainbridge, check out the schedule and book a class while visiting. They offer everything from 3D printing and jewelry making to weaving and woodworking. There are classes in kitchen arts and book arts. You can join a class in the tech lab or take courses on small boat building, writing, and photography.
How BARN Impacts Locals and Visitors
The classes have changed lives. Fused glass artist Arend took her first jewelry class in 2018 at BARN. She realized jewelry making wasn’t for her, so she took a fused glass class—and fell in love. It seemed like destiny. “In the early to mid-1950s, my father was a graphic artist for Liberty Glassware in Toledo, Ohio,” she explains. “Toledo is a center for glass, so glass was a natural fit. I’ve always been intrigued by glass.”
After her fused glass class, Arend knew it was right. “I thought it was really fun. I could have a vision, make something right, put it in the kiln, and come back a couple of days later, and it would be done.” She laughed. “Either my vision came to fruition, or it didn’t, but I had to learn the science to make it happen. I was hooked on glass.”
Arend also shared the story of a couple she met from Michigan. They vacationed on Bainbridge Island in the summer of 2022 and took classes at BARN there. “She decided she was moving to Bainbridge Island,” says Arend. “So they moved from Michigan. They sold their home and moved to the Island. They both took sabbatical from their jobs, and they go to BARN every day to try a new art.”
Fused glass artist Debra Arend took her first glass class at BARN. Photo courtesy Debra Arend
Bainbridge Island Studio Tour
Twice a year, Bainbridge Island hosts the Bainbridge Island Studio Tour. The self-guided, free tours, which began in 1984, celebrate local artisans. The unique thing about the Studio Tours is that they are held at various locations throughout Bainbridge.
This isn’t your typical small-town arts and crafts fair. The artists are vetted through a jury process, so you can expect some of the finest works on display. Everything is high-quality, original, hand-crafted artwork.
You can find everything from gift items to original artwork. These cards showcase Dinah Satterwhite’s photography. Photo courtesy Dinah Satterwhite
“Our regular patrons love meeting the artists and learning about their craft,” says Studio Tour Manager Dinah Satterwhite.
During the Bainbridge Island Studio Tour, you can see artists at work and talk to them about their process. Photo courtesy Dinah Satterwhite
Satterwhite came on board about 13 years ago, and organizing the two shows each year takes up almost as much of her time as her own photography. Her husband recently retired from an IT job and now works full-time on metalworking and assisting with the Studio Tour.
How the Studio Tours Work
Each Studio Tour features between 40 and 50 artists set up at various locations. During the summer show, held the second weekend in August, artists set up at various artist studios and gardens. While the hosting artist invites guests into their studio, the other artists have booths around a yard or garden. This makes it easy for visitors to wander around the area, speaking directly with each artist. There are usually about five different locations, so it’s a great weekend event to discover the work of regional artists.
The winter event takes place on the first weekend in December—a great way to find unique holiday gifts!—and is held at various indoor locations around the island, such as the American Legion Hall, Filipino-American Hall, Masonic Lodge, and the Grange Hall.
At each show, you’ll find a vast array of artisans. In addition to Satterwhite’s photography, her husband Rob’s metalworking, and Arend’s fused glass, you can find jewelry, pottery, wearable art, woodworking, garden art, paintings, blown glass, and more.
Ron Satterwhite specializes in metalwork. Photo courtesy Dinah Satterwhite
Bainbridge Island Trashion Show
When I first heard about the Bainbridge Island Trashion Show, I expected something like the unconventional materials challenge on Project Runway. I was surprised at the wearability of the art the designers created.
Bainbridge Island Zero Waste, an initiative of Sustainable Bainbridge, sponsors the community event. It is scheduled for May 19, 2024, and the plan is to continue at about that same time each year.
I sat down with the show coordinator, Naomi Spinak, to discuss the show. It began in 2016 as a way to do exactly what it does today—get the community talking about and aware of how much consumers discard in a fun way. Bainbridge is an island, and the need to reduce, reuse, and recycle is important. This show is a great way to be creative with that need and bring the community together.
Shannon Dowling modeling Just Keep Swimming by Naomi Spinak, winner of Ready to Wear Category in 2016. Flowers are bits of upcycled swimsuits. Photo courtesy Heather O’Gorman
“We’re an island with limited resources,” says Spinak. “We see the effects of plastic in the water and junk on the water. The event encourages all of us to think not outside the box but to think of the box.”
It was another way that the creativity and art of Bainbridge Island surprised me. Spinak explained that examining how textiles impact our world is important today. As part of that, the Trashion Show is about more than a fun fashion show. They include workshops and seminars and bringing in speakers.
Mushroom modeled by the designer, Mary Voltin, winner of the Student Category 2022. Photo courtesy Heather O’Gorman
“Two years ago, we had a conference called We All Wear Clothes,” she explained. “It was about the environmental impact of clothing. We had workshops and talks about what goes into our fashion. We’ve been doing mending workshops. We’re having a speaker series this fall. JB McKinnon is coming to Bainbridge, talking about consumerism, not just in textiles, but in general.”
Bainbridge Island Art in Unexpected Places
Along with the more formal art you’ll discover in galleries, museums, and art shows, I found art in unexpected places as I wandered Bainbridge. This is a town that lives and breathes art. Given the dramatic setting of water, trees, and glorious flowers, I think it’s inevitable. Even the manhole covers on Bainbridge Island are works of art.
I had spent most of my time chatting with traditional artists who crafted beautiful jewelry, metal sculptures, and objects d’art. Even speaking with Spinak about her recycled fashion, I could see the artistry and craftsmanship. For my final day on the island, I decided to check out something a little different. I headed out into nature to discover two unique art forms on Bainbridge Island.
Visiting the Forest Troll
One of my favorite Bainbridge finds was Pia the Peacekeeper in a small park across from the high school. I had heard about this giant forest troll, so I found a spot to park along the road and walked into Sakai Park. As I rounded the corner, there sat this beautiful forest troll. I smiled, watching the children playing on her—and the adults stepping up to have their photos taken with Pia.
Pia the Peacekeeper by Thomas Dambo. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham
The artist, Denmark-based Thomas Dambo, is traveling the US, building giant troll sculptures crafted out of recycled and found materials. I loved the shell necklace on Pia.
Is Graffiti Art?
I’ve always loved graffiti. It is usually bright and vibrant and always carries a message. Isn’t that the point of art? I was thrilled to hear that Bainbridge Island has a “graffiti building” in Port Blakely Park, so we headed there for an afternoon stroll.
The 40-acre waterfront park is on the site of the former Port Blakely Mill, which was one of the world’s largest sawmills between 1864 and 1922. You can wander along paths, cross footbridges, and enjoy wildlife-viewing structures. But I was there for the art. Locals now call one of the remaining mill buildings the “Graffiti Building.”
We passed a tranquil inlet that captivated me. I stood watching the water and listening to the birds for a few minutes, and then I turned and caught sight of the Graffiti Building behind me.
Port Blakely Park, Bainbridge Island, WA. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham
I smiled at this juxtaposition of nature and human interaction.
Graffiti Building at Fort Blakely Park. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham
We wandered around the building, looking at the messages. Locals and tourists make their way to the building to leave their marks. A couple of young people were painting inside the day we were there. As we left, we saw a father and his two sons making their way to the building with a bucket of spray paint cans. Click here for more information about graffiti art.
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Exploring Bainbridge Island Art
I love that Bainbridge Island art encompasses everything from street art and graffiti to manhole covers to impressive fused glass or massive garden art pieces. It is a place for artists to gather and a place for those who love collecting art. It is a place for those who want to be surrounded by art in a pristine setting. You can find it on Bainbridge Island no matter what art you prefer.
Fused glass jewelry by Debra Arend. Photo courtesy Debra Arend
I recommend staying more than a day on Bainbridge Island. In this article, we offer recommendations on places to stay, eat, and things to do. Have you been to Bainbridge Island? Did you discover a new artist or a favorite gallery? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below. We invite you to explore Wander With Wonder for more ideas on what to see and do when you visit Washington.
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