Join the Bainbridge Public Library for the May 2022 First Friday Art Walk, featuring artist Elaine Schab-Bragg
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.
The Bainbridge Public Library is proud to present an exhibit by artist Elaine Schab-Bragg
Elaine will host a “meet and greet” from 5pm-7pm on Friday, May 6th to open her new exhibit, “Inside Out” for First Friday Art Walk
From her studio, nestled within the trees and gardens of her home in Kingston, WA, Elaine draws upon her surroundings and an endless selection of vibrant color to create boldly beautiful paintings. “The intoxicating drive within me to create interpretation of my surroundings is nearly constant,” she explained. Although her primary medium has been watercolor, she’s recently began experimenting with acrylics and expanding her artistic efforts.
As the oldest child in her family, Elaine was tasked with caring for her younger siblings, which didn’t allow much time for artistic exploration. However, in her early teens she connected with a woman who would become her surrogate grandmother, and through her, Elaine was introduced to classical music, ballet, design, and art. “Consequently, I began to discover my own interests and I was catapulted into a new exciting and creative world,” she said.
Born and raised in Seattle, Elaine attended the Cornish School of Art, where she studied ballet and was a live art model. She also worked in metal design and jewelry, allowing her to recognize the elements of quality craftmanship. Realizing she had an acute ability to read and understand others, Elaine continued her education at the University of Washington, where she majored in social work and communications.
When a catastrophic accident left her eldest son severely disabled at the age of 6, she found herself in need of family support systems, which in turn spurred her to refocus her career on creating grass roots social service programs for local communities. She spent the next 15 years developing those programs for families that were new to significant disabilities, “This became a fundamental part of my life.”
Even though Elaine was primarily focused on raising her children and her finishing her degree at UW, she still found time to sketch and draw. Seven years ago, when her eldest son—who was also an artist—passed away, Elaine found solace by picking up his brushes and immersing herself in painting, “Initially I painted large and colorful subjects to help me work through my grief. Then painting became a permanent source of joy.”
Elaine’s work can be found via her Instagram account, at https://www.instagram.com/elaineschabbragg/
Elaine’s exhibit is available for viewing and sale at the Bainbridge Public Library throughout the month of May in the meeting room 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. 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 Elaine Schab-Bragg
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