Just over the bridge from mainland Kitsap County, the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (BIMA) has, for 12 years, been more than a striking building of wood and glass – it has been the island’s creative heartbeat. Offering free admission year-round, it’s a welcoming space for locals and visitors alike to explore, linger and return often.
Recognized across the Pacific Northwest and beyond, BIMA is a respected hub for contemporary, regional art, and a stepping stone for emerging talent. “For many, BIMA is an artist’s first opportunity to present their work to the broader community in a museum setting,” says Deputy Director, Korum Bischoff. “And because these artists are actively working and living in our region, visitors can run into the artists, hear their stories, and see the evolution of their work up close.”
Don’t miss the James W. Washington, Jr.: Many Hats, One Spirit exhibit and the Michael Stasinos: Capturing the Ineffable exhibit at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art. Photos courtesy of BIMA.
This late summer, two standout exhibitions take center stage:
- James W. Washington, Jr.: Many Hats, One Spirit, celebrates the multifaceted life of the visionary artist, poet, gardener, community builder, and civil rights activist. The retrospective features his renowned stone carvings alongside paintings, prints, collages, poetry, and personal artifacts, including items from the Civil Rights Era. Upstairs, re-creations of Washington’s home and studio give visitors a sense of his creative space, while more than 25 works from former artists-in-residence at the Dr. James and Janie Washington Cultural Center showcase his enduring legacy.
- In Michael Stasinos: Capturing the Ineffable, cityscapes become portraits rich with personality. Stasinos paints plein air, returning to the same site for weeks, months or even years to capture shifting light, changing colors, and evolving architecture. “The sidewalks became my studio and the city my new model,” Stasinos says.
Beyond exhibitions, BIMA offers one of the nation’s largest collections of artists’ books – more than 3,500 works – along with educational talks, panels, and chances to meet artists in the galleries. The calendar is equally vibrant, with the Manhattan Short Film Festival in late September and the month-long, Within/Earshot Jazz Festival 2025 in October.
Located steps from the ferry terminal and surrounded by Winslow’s top-tier dining and boutique shopping, BIMA is easy to make the centerpiece of a day trip.
“Start with an elevated breakfast, lunch, or a snack at The BIMA Bistro, explore the galleries, browse the gift store, and take your time before exploring the rest of downtown Bainbridge Island and heading home,” says Fina Valenzuela-Fletcher, Senior Manager of Communications and Digital Programs.
With on-site parking, free admission, and rotating exhibitions three times a year, Bainbridge Island Museum of Art offers an experience as welcoming as it is unforgettable.
Plan your trip online at biartmuseum.org/visit and follow them on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates from BIMA.
