BI to see 5 new art pieces for Something New

By Steven Powell • May 27, 2024 1:30 am

The five new pieces of art selected to be displayed around Bainbridge Island this year as part of the Something New exhibit will be announced at the May 28 City Council meeting.

Also, Councilmember Ashley Mathews is making a request to discuss adding youth to city commissions and committees. There will also be a public hearing on a moratorium on crematoriums.

The five pieces of art chosen for the Something New project this year include:

Rise and Fall, by Jennifer Kapnek, at Winslow Way and Town & Country; valued at $9,000. It’s 5-feet tall and weighs 125 pounds. It’s constructed with a kiln-dried, notched tree trunk. Each side has the image of a single tree with dancing golden leaves. The painting shares one full moon. It’s been displayed in Moscow, ID.

Absolution, by JacQueline Walker, at South Madison Overlook; valued at $1,200. Blue, pink and purple enamel paint on curled, mild steel panels.

Anatomy of Autonomy, by Jennifer Kapnek, at City Hall; valued at $10,000. It’s 6-feet tall and weights 150 pounds. Each side has the image of a single tree—one side with butterflies and green buds and the other floating ruby leaves. They share a full moon. It’s been displayed in Sparks, NV.

Isopoda, by Matthew Berger, at Waterfront; valued at $12,000. The abstract sculpture is made of mild steel resembling a blade of grass, wave or stick. A giant isopod crawls on it. The isopod eats the dead to return life to the soil. It’s 7-feet tall.

Blue, by Jenny Ellworth, at Waterfront near Boathouse; valued at $7,000. She uses recycled scrap metal in her sculptures to inspire community to see the potential in “throw away” material. It has been displayed at Milwaukie City Hall in Oregon.

As for youth involvement, Mathew’s request says, “Our community is made up of dynamic, intelligent, highly motivated and involved youth who we would be lucky to have participated in our local government.”

It goes on to say BI would not have to reinvent the wheel, but instead talk to cities like Samammish and Lakewood that have already done this. She suggests terms of six months to a year, and for the students to get some credit for civic involvement for participating.

Regarding crematoriums, the moratorium is set for six months and research is done to find out the good and bad of such facilities. A local business has expressed interest in building one. However, some neighbors of the proposed site have expressed concerns. The city’s hope is that a fact-finding mission, rather than hearsay and opinion, will guide the council’s decision.

Also, city manager Blair King will announce the BI Reads Book for Summer and Fall 2024 program.

The council also will authorize King to sign a contract for the annual road preservation project for almost $843,200; buy a heavy duty pickup for almost $165,150; and to accept a federal grant of more than $4.11 million for the Springbrook Fish Passage Project.