Bainbridge Island Public Art

The Public Art Committee (PAC) and Arts & Humanities Bainbridge are excited to announce the ‘Something New VIII’ People’s Choice Award Ballot. Every year, the People’s Choice Award gives our community a chance to decide which sculpture speaks to them the most. The Something New program provides both a dynamic public art experience and an ongoing opportunity for artists from around the Pacific Northwest to exhibit their work. New pieces are selected and rotated into five permanent locations annually, bringing “something new” to Bainbridge Island each year. A grand prize of $1,500 will be awarded to the winning artist! Voting ends April 1, 2026. Vote via the 🔗 in bio!

Join Arts and Humanities Bainbridge and the Bainbridge Creative District for the unveiling of the Bainbridge Postcard Community Mural on Saturday March 22nd at 10:30am! Thanks so @mollybrahmerart for your creative genius!

Bainbridge Island’s Something New VIII is now accepting submissions! This annual public art exhibition showcases contemporary sculptures in the heart of downtown Bainbridge, offering artists the chance to share their work with a vibrant, art-loving community.

Selected artists will receive an honorarium, and their work will be prominently displayed for one year—don't miss this opportunity to be part of a celebrated tradition of public art!

Apply now and bring Something New to Bainbridge Island! Deadline and details here: 🔗 https://www.bainbridgecurrents.com/classified/something-new-viii-call-for-art/

Call For Art! Artists are now invited to apply for the annual Something New Public Art Exhibit on Bainbridge Island. The SNVIII Public Art Program places new sculptures in five outdoor locations, offering residents and visitors “Something New” to celebrate every year. If you are an artist looking for a paid opportunity to display your work, this might be the opportunity for you!

Benefits Artists Will Receive:

$2,000.00 honorarium awarded to selected artists
Opportunity to display and sell work
Promotion of artwork (including artist profile video)
$1,000 awarded to the People’s Choice Award winner
And more!

Did you see the latest Guardian article (https://amp.theguardian.com/society/2024/dec/17/consuming-arts-and-culture-is-good-for-health-and-wellbeing-research-findson) on the benefits of arts and culture in your life? Research shows that engaging with the arts can reduce stress, improve mental health, and create a stronger sense of community.

Here on Bainbridge Island, our Public Art Program brings these benefits to life with installations that inspire, connect, and celebrate our shared experiences. From the colorful “Peers” by Shawn Parks to Randi Purser’s powerful Welcome Pole, each piece is a reminder of art’s role in shaping a vibrant and healthy community.

How does art improve your day-to-day life? Share your thoughts in the comments!

A new mural is coming to Bainbridge Island, and we need your help! Arts & Humanities Bainbridge is excited to announce that with the help of generous funding from The Rotary of Bainbridge Island and The Washington State Arts Commission, artist Molly Brahmer will be creating a new Bainbridge-themed mural. In addition to this exciting news, We are also asking the community for feedback on what should be incorporated into the mural. Much like a postcard, we are looking to highlight what makes Bainbridge Island amazing. Please take a minute to answer the questions below and share your ideas with us! Share your ideas at: https://forms.gle/HDuEPB1v92Asjf3fA

A new mural is coming to Bainbridge Island, and we need your help! Arts & Humanities Bainbridge is excited to announce that with the help of generous funding from The Rotary of Bainbridge Island and The Washington State Arts Commission, artist Molly Brahmer will be creating a new Bainbridge-themed mural. In addition to this exciting news, We are also asking the community for feedback on what should be incorporated into the mural. Much like a postcard, we are looking to highlight what makes Bainbridge Island amazing. Please take a minute to answer the questions below and share your ideas with us! Link in Bio.

The winter skies may be cloudy and dark, but it’s all sunshine in the sky at . Bainbridge Island is immensely lucky to have public art in the most unexpected places! Next time it’s gloomy, head to the library for a little ☀️.

AHB has been busy this year! Check out our Something New VI People’s Choice Award Winner Ken McCall!

AHB 2024 In Review Spotlight: Something New VI People's Choice Award Every year The Something New Public Art Program offers an opportunity for sculptors to exhibit their work on Bainbridge Island. As a part of this program, The People’s Choice Award gives our community a chance to vote on which new public art sculpture speaks to them the most. A prize of $1,000 is awarded to the winning artist. In 2024 artist Ken McCall was selected for his SNVI Sculpture “Leaf Spiral.” As we reflect on 2024, we are filled with gratitude for the vibrant community we serve and the powerful art and cultural experiences we’ve shared this year. Thank you! Click the link in the bio to learn more: #waart #waculture #washingtonculture #waartist #washingtonstate #pnw #art #humanities #bainbridge #bainbridgeisland

Public Art: A Bridge to Connection and Well-Being

Public art has the unique power to connect us—to ourselves, to each other, and to the places we call home. It inspires reflection, fosters dialogue, and transforms shared spaces into vibrant hubs of creativity and community.

In 2024, the National Endowment for the Arts confirmed what many of us already feel: arts engagement is critical to our health. Public art offers a reprieve—an opportunity to pause, engage, and connect.

The 2023 Surgeon General’s advisory emphasized the economic and personal toll of loneliness: $154 billion annually in stress-related absenteeism and $6.7 billion in excess Medicare spending. Social connection isn’t just vital for mental health—it’s essential for a thriving economy.

By supporting public art, we create opportunities for connection, inspiration, and healing. We weave a stronger social fabric that supports our mental health, enriches our economy, and celebrates our shared humanity.