Join the Bainbridge Public Library “Art is Happening” for the September 2021 First Friday Art Walk Exhibit (please note there will not be a reception this First Friday)

The Bainbridge Public Library is dedicated to spreading the joy of reading and the discovery of ideas with not just our local community, but visitors from near and afar. In addition, the library is fortunate to house beautiful local works of art both inside and outside the building. Each month the library celebrates a local artist (or artists) with an exhibit, which opens monthly on the Island’s First Friday Art Walk tour, and (normally) includes a reception hosted by the featured artist.

The Bainbridge Island Library is proud to present “Art is Happening”, a celebration of several local artists’ work.

Patrick Gulke, a local artist himself (and a library associate/assistant), is coordinating the show. Due to Covid concerns BIPL will not be holding a reception this month. However, the artists’ work will be exhibited in the meeting room for the month of September and is available for viewing during normal business hours.

In 2016, Patrick consulted with the library to host a group art show, he’d already done a solo exhibit and assisted in organizing a teen art show, so he was ready to try something new, something bigger! The 2016 show was a hit and they decided to do it again in 2018 for the First Friday Art Walk. They opened the show up into the gardens and the main library, with interactive art projects, artists display and various other demonstrations. Art is Happening was intended to be an annual event, however due to Covid it was not held last year. This year will be the third such event.

This year the show will feature (hyperlinks included if available): Jamie Brouwer, Marilynn Gottlieb, Drew Kinninmont, Michael Pontieri, Deborah Rhee, Sara Tuminello, Diane Walker, John Wiens, Susan Wiersema, Eileen Wold, Silas Bryant-Kunz, Patrick Gulke, Chris Demarest and more. Genres will include painters, printmakers, photography and more.

Some artists are hoping to schedule in-person visits later in the month—stay tuned for updates.

At this time, masks are required in public indoor spaces.

You can view the exhibit throughout the month of September during regular library hours and on the library website, www.bainbridgepubliclibrary.org.

As always, thank you for supporting your Bainbridge Public Library and local artists – Linda Meier, art coordinator. If you have interest in exhibiting your work, feel free to contact Linda at lindameier2000@gmail.com

***Library content and logo provided by Linda Meier, Bainbridge Public Library

***Additional images provided by Patrick Gulke