BIMA hosts LGBTQ events; 3 new artist exhibits

Molly Vaughan honors the lives of murdered transgender and gender non-conforming Americans in her series of artworks called “Project 42.”

The Bainbridge Island Museum of Art will host that project and two others starting Oct. 1.

A number of free events will take place in conjunction with Vaughan’s exhibit.

• Oct. 1: LGBTQ+ Memorial Procession, 6 p.m., Memorialize and celebrate the lives of victims of anti-transgender violence in this activation ceremony for Vaughan’s exhibition.

• Oct. 1: LGBTQ+ Memorial Dance, 7:30 p.m. The downstairs BIMA galleries will be the site of the all-ages dance. Celebrate First Friday Art Walk, too.

• Oct. 2-3: LGBTQ+ EXPO. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Explore LGBTQ+ community resources, mental wellness and identities of all kinds. Featuring hands-on activities with Partners in Print and Path with Art, as well as information from Kitsap Pride, Queer Elders, the Boys and Girls Club, PFLAG and more.

Also, on Nov. 17 at 7 p.m., Vaughan will be featured in an “Artist Talk” at BIMA. It’s free with pre-registration. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination and masks required.

As for Vaughan’s artwork, it’s called “42,” referencing the estimated average lifespan of someone in this community. Through the creation of garments and diverse collaborative memorial actions, she focuses particularly on trans women of color.

Using Google Earth, Vaughan, of Seattle, captures visual documentation of the murder location from multiple distances and angles. Within each capture, colors and shapes emerge directly from the site location and incorporated into a fabric pattern; then, a garment is made specific to each person.

Vaughan is at the halfway point in this multi-year project, having completed 21 garments.

Poulsbo artist

Heroes are more popular than ever. Just look at the most-popular movies the past few years.

Cory Bennett Anderson of Poulsbo’s exhibit called “Heroes” will open at BIMA Oct. 8. He refers to his work as Neo-Pop, combining pop themes, iconic images, and neo-expressionist techniques to reflect modern society. An active muralist, Anderson displays a unique combination of urban street style with the use of mixed media and each painting evokes a sense of reverence, often mixed with nostalgia.

Anderson’s heroes range from political figures, writers and poets, musicians, actors and other recognizable icons. He beckons the viewer to ponder their own heroes and to celebrate their contributions to our lives. Anderson notes: “I paint imagery that evokes beauty through story-telling and positive messages. I strive to elevate others through art. ”

Shelton artist

The third artist to be featured is Catherine Alice Michaelis of Shelton. Her exhibit, “Root Bound,” features her work from the collection of Cynthia Sears, the founder of BIMA. It also includes Pandemic Posts, created in isolation during COVID-19, and Natus, inspired by her 2021 Creative Residency at the Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island. It combines wood prints on fabric with linoleum and hand-stitched embroidery.

Michaelis also will have an Artist Talk Nov. 13 at 11 a.m. at the BIMA Auditorium.

BIMA is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free at 550 Winslow Way East.