Join the Bainbridge Public Library for the August 2019 First Friday Art Walk, celebrating the opening release of “Natural Bainbridge”, featuring the artwork of Cameron Snow and Paul Brians.
The Bainbridge Public Library is dedicated to spreading the joy of reading and the discovery of ideas with not just our local community, but with 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 includes a reception hosted by the featured artist(s).
“The Art of Natural Bainbridge” show will feature the artwork of Cameron Snow and Paul Brians from the newly released book, Natural Bainbridge, published by the Bainbridge Island Land Trust. Opening reception on August 2nd, 5-7pm for First Friday Art Walk.
Retired WSU English Professor, Paul Brians is an accomplished photographer, having his work displayed in several notable publications and galleries. Paul has also done extensive volunteer photography for the Bainbridge Island Land Trust, and for several other environmental groups here on Bainbridge Island.
Cameron Snow is a professional painter, ceramic artist and videographer. When she retired to Bainbridge Island more than 20 years ago, she was particularly taken with the natural beauty of its native plants and wildlife, which inspired her to recreate that beauty in her paintings and drawings. Her work has been displayed at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, as well as other venues. In addition to her paintings and drawings, Cameron has produced more than a dozen documentary films about life and the environment on Bainbridge Island.
“HOW REMARKABLE! A SMALL ISLAND JUST 35 MINUTES BY FERRY FROM ONE OF AMERICA’S FASTEST GROWING CITIES still sustains — well into the 21st century — thousands of acres of majestic forest, flower-filled meadows, healthy tidelands, and watchable wildlife. Remarkable? Yes. But accidental? Definitely not. Welcome to Natural Bainbridge, a fact-packed guide to the island’s exquisite parks, preserves, and protected spaces. Whether you’re a longtime resident or a newcomer, Natural Bainbridge will help you see what the owl, deer, salmon, and century-old cedars already know: that this is indeed a remarkable place worthy of safekeeping.”
“Celebrating the winding trails and hidden natural wonders of Bainbridge Island in word and image, and honoring the tireless work of the residents who’ve helped protect nearly 2,500 acres of ecologically sensitive land in the face of relentless growth: Natural Bainbridge — for everyone. forever.”
The Bainbridge Island Land Trust is dedicated to the protection, preservation and sustainability of our island’s natural environment. The Land Trust was established in 1989, when a group of islanders became concerned about growth on Bainbridge Island and the affect that growth would have on our natural environment. The Trust was a way to provide landowners with a way to permanently protect and preserve their property from development. Since its inception, the Land Trust has assisted in protecting thousands of acres of forestlands, wetlands, meadows, shorelines, agricultural lands, scenic vistas, lakes, ponds and streams. More than 1,000 of these acres are preserved as public parks and natural areas.
Natural Bainbridge marks the 30th anniversary of the Bainbridge Island 
Land Trust, and was created by longtime Land Trust supporters—producer Zan Merriman, editor Hilary Hilscher, project manager Erin Kellogg, and designer Cheryl Tlam, who volunteered their individual and exceptional skills towards the creation of the book—together with photographer Paul Brians, and artist Cameron Snow.
The book will be available for purchase at the Library exhibit opening on Friday, August 2nd. It is also available at Eagle Harbor Book Co., located in downtown Bainbridge Island.
The Art of Natural Bainbridge exhibit will be available to view for the month of August in the meeting room during regular library hours and on the library website at www.bainbridgepubliclibrary.org.
You can also listen to a podcast interview with Bainbridge Island Land Trust board members, Zan Merriman and Erin Kellogg at https://www.bestofbcb.org/artwork-from-the-new-land-trust-book-at-the-bainbridge-library/
As always, thank you for supporting your Bainbridge Public Library and local artists. If you have interest in exhibiting your work, feel free to contact Linda Meier, art coordinator, at lindameier2000@gmail.com
***Library content and images provided by Linda Meier, Bainbridge Public Library, and Bainbridge Island Land Trust
