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Arts & Cultural Programs
The Arts & Cultural programs include classes and workshops in music, dance, fine arts, crafts, cooking and many other activities for adults and children of all ages. You'll find classes in pottery, drawing, painting, poetry, swing dance, vegetarian cuisine and more. Click the brochure link below to download current programs! Scroll down or click here to view our program areas and learn about our instructors.
Changes to Catalogue
Materials Lists
Susan Callahan - Book Arts
Student Art Contest - March 4, 2012
Local students & residents K through 12 can enter the 12th annual Bainbridge Island Student Art Contest, held at the Pavilion Lobby on March 4. With exciting awards and recognition, every entrant will receive something. Entries are based on the student’s grade. A special “RecycleArt” category is open to all ages. The Student Art Contest is now a program of the BI Metro Park & Rec District.Click here for contest rules. Click here for detailed info! View the poster here.
Winter/Spring 2012 Youth Arts & Cultural & At-the-Schools and Out of School Programs
Winter/Spring 2012 Adult Arts & Cultural Programs
Complete Winter/Spring 2012 Programs Catalogue
Changes to the Winter/Spring Catalogue:
Prices reduced for the Art in Seattle with Sue Hylen series! Check out program info on page 41 of our catalogue.
Activity #126061 Gauguin & Polynesia - New prices are $35 w/o SAM membership, and $15 with SAM membership.
Activity #126062 Gallery Touring Downtown Seattle, all trips are reduces to $15!
Due to insufficient registration and participation the Wednesday morning Yoga classes taught by Cindy Jones at Island Center Hall have been cancelled at this time. If you are interested in morning yoga classes, Yoga instructor Kristi Tonti is teaching an all levels class, Fundamental Yoga, at Seabold Hall on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8a.m.-9:30a.m.. Please call 842-2306 #116 for more information.
Materials Lists
Watercolor with John Adams
Pastels with Gillian Bull
Paint It, Write It, Book It!
Basic Painting with Sylvia Carlton
Would you like to receive emails about Arts and Culture programs? Send us an email at sue@biparks.org and let us know!
Check out this article from Inside Bainbridge about our new pottery kiln!
Rocket Science? Check out this video of Tim Lowell's science camp!
Featured Program Areas and Instructors
Pottery
Pottery Classes for adult and youth at Eagledale Pottery Studio (5055 Rose Avenue at Eagledale Park). Our studio features a gas kiln, raku kiln and several electric kilns as well as kick wheels and electric wheels. Our highly skilled staff teach a variety of classes each quarter with an exciting array of clays, glazes and other materials from which to choose.
“The Eagledale studio is such a creative cauldron. … I feel energized and inspired by my fellow students as well as the great teachers. …How the teachers manage to inspire and educate while allowing students of all backgrounds to do their own thing at their own pace is quite an art in itself.” Leslie Bland |
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Sherri Underwood (Grossbauer) has been a Studio Artist in Kingston for over 15 years. She has been teaching adult pottery classes and workshops at Eagledale Pottery since 2004. Sherri graduated from Northern Arizona University in 1989 with her BFA in ceramics and sculpture and moved to Kitsap County in 1992. At her home studio she explores low fire techniques and produces functional pottery as well as custom tiles. Her decorative pots can be seen at various Galleries in the area.
Jay Stemmler
Jay has lived in Japan for three years, spending one of them as a full time pottery apprentice near Bizen, one of the six classic pottery studios in Japan. He currently works and teaches both youth and adult out of his studio/gallery in Indianola as well as at Eagledale Pottery Studio.
Suzanna Lugo has been teaching pottery for youth, teens and Adults at Eagledale Pottery Studio since January 2006 with extensive experience and education in clay. Student comment-
“Suzanna Lugo has to be the most encouraging teacher I've ever had. She teases and cajoles me into exploring creative avenues I would never have imagined were there. I often end up with amazing product that I had no idea I would be able to create. And her classes are always fun and relaxed.”
Terry Siebert, Fall 2011 ED Pottery instructor Terry Siebert received her BFA from Rhode Island School of Design. She started her explorations with earthenware and Majolica glazes at Pottery Northwest in 1981. Over the years she has exhibited her work nationally and taught numerous workshops. Her work is featured in many books including most recently, Masters: Earthenware by Lark Books. For the past 20 years she has lived and worked as a studio potter on Bainbridge Island, WA. www.terrysiebert.com
Sue Tuttle is a working potter, teacher and the owner ofMud Flats Pottery (www.facebook.com/MudFlatsPottery). She strives to reinforce the importance of creativity in everyday life. Her selection of studio classes offered at Mud Flats Pottery and Eagledale Pottery Studio are designed to promote community enrichment through shared art experiences. Her teaching philosophy is to give every student the basic skills to become a successful potter, while at the same time encouraging them to develop their own styles. Sue currently resides with her family in Seattle. www.mudflatspottery.com
Arts & Crafts
Cynthia Herrick enjoys teaching her creative craft classes at Fernwood Studio to help spark the creativity in everyone. She has been professionally involved with a local child care facility, a popular garden tour, three cottage industries, and an island garden center. Her products have been seen at Nordstrom's, Studio Tour, Christmas in the Country, & Indie Banditas.
Stain Glass Classes taught by Julie Hews Everett, who has been a working glass artist and instructor for more than 35 years. During that time, she has worked in many different styles and mediums including stained, fused, and mouth-blown glass. Her numerous pieces are installed at locations in North America and Europe. She maintains a full-service studio at Fletcher Bay on Bainbridge Island, WA where she teaches the art of stained glass and glass fusing. In addition, Julie designs and builds new custom glass commissions and refurbishes and repairs stained glass pieces.
Metalsmith Jewelry classes taught by Jane Martin at Camp Yeomalt Multipurpose Classroom (900 Park Ave) Jane Martin is a studio jeweler producing work, which is sold in galleries throughout the United States. In 1978, she received a BFA degree in jewelry/metalsmithing from The University of the Arts (Philadelphia College of Art). In 1988, Jane was a founding board member of the Seattle Metals Guild and program director for four years. In 1990, she founded Net Contents Gallery and in 1999 co-founded Art Jewelry Showcase both on Bainbridge Island. In 1994, she was the founder and a committee member for the Jewelry/Metals Symposium, Seattle Metals Guild. The 2002 Bainbridge Island Arts and Humanities Fund awarded Jane a grant to start a jewelry/metalsmithing class on Bainbridge Island through BIMPRD. She also teaches at Pratt Fine Arts Center in Seattle.
Mosaics Using Ceramics: Pique Assiette by Gillian Allard Gillian fell in love with mosaics in Barcelona’s Park Guell seeing the work of Anton Gaudi for the first time. Five years ago she made her first mosaic stepping stone with her sister. Since then Gillian has created mosaics for her garden, friends and family using broken dishes, tile, and found objects (the technique known as pique assiette). With four years of experience, Gillian loves to teach mosaics to both kids and adults.
Woodworking classes co sponsored with the Bainbridge Island Community Woodshop offering classes by local woodworkers. Local woodworkers have formed a non-profit organization, Bainbridge Island Community Woodshop to build a community woodshop. Members will be able to work on their own projects there, and the organization will work with the Park District to sponsor a robust series of classes for all skill levels. Membership in the group is open to all. To find out more about the Bainbridge Island Community Woodshop, and to suggest topics for future woodworking classes, visit their website at www.bainbridgecommunitywoodshop.org.
Creative Sewing & Crafts classes for Youth & Adult with Jeanette Schanilec at Strawberry Hill Center (7666 NE High School Rd in Strawberry Hill Park). Jeanette Schanilec has been teaching sewing and crafts on Bainbridge Island since 2000. A safe, supportive, and age-appropriate environment; quality materials; and fun, imaginative projects are the cornerstones of her popular programs. www.justcrafts.net
“Having the right materials and tools at hand, as well as providing a safe and supportive environment, are the cornerstones of my programs. In my small group classes, workshops, and camps (6:1 or lower student to teacher ratio) I am able to offer personalized attention, high-quality materials, and creative flexibility. I design my own projects not just because I enjoy the creative process, but because I want to make sure that the projects that I present in my classes are doable and will provide a pleasurable and successful creative experience for my students. Children and adults of every level of ability and experience are welcome in my classes. I am happy to collaborate with students and families to figure out the best approach and adaptations necessary to make crafting accessible to everyone!” 
Knitting classes for Youth with Dixie Moore
Dixie Moore has been teaching Island children to knit for over 15 years. She started when her 4 children were young, recruiting them as helpers and needlemakers for her classes that she taught independently. She has taught numerous years at Wilkes Elementary and a local yarn shop as well as for the BI metro Park District after school programs. " Knitting for me is personal creativity and community, which is really what I want to lead children into as well. Those are two things that make my life work and I think they will help children's lives work better too."
Drawing & Painting
Drawing & Painting Classes for adult and youth
Watercolor, pastels, oil painting, drawing, collage, art studio sampler classes and more are taught by talented local artists at Strawberry Hill Center (7666 NE High School Rd in Strawberry Hill Park).
“… I love the Parks Department classes because I get to see what others are painting, and I can share my years of painting with other students. I learn new things each time I begin a new painting, or see what other painters have done. It keeps me young.” Arta Johnson
John Adams, watercolor instructor “I design paintings with simple shapes and then paint freely, letting the watercolor mix in subtle ways. There is magic in this process that keeps me challenged and engaged. When a painting is successful it enables the viewer to share my imagined vision of place. Achieving a personal connection with you through art is important to me. As a teacher, I work to help students find their own unique creative style” ( please add image of painting until I get a photo of John) http://www.johnadamsdesign.com/watercolors.html
Marcia Millican has been an art instructor for both youth and adult at Strawberry Hill Center since 2001. A resident of Bainbridge Island for over 30 years, Marcia received her B.A. in Art from the University of California, Berkeley. Skilled in a variety of mediums, Marcia offers age appropriate art experiences and enrichment for ages 2 through adult, incorporating famous artists, history, and culture into her curriculum. From the toddler exploring painting, to the nervous adult in their first-ever drawing class, Marcia thrives on encouraging the beginner artist in the creative process. Marcia regularly brings her students’ work into the public realm through displays at the Bainbridge Island Public Library and the Don Nakata Pool. In addition to her art endeavors, Marcia also writes poetry, is a mother of two teenage boys, and is a substitute Special Education Para educator for the Bainbridge Island School District.
Gillian Bull, adult painting and pastels instructor. "My work is representational, with an authenticsense of place using pastels or oils. I enjoy painting landscapes en plein air and portraits in the studio. Taking workshops, painting with other artists and teaching pastels helps me to understand and enjoy the complexity and craft of painting." Gillian has a Diploma in Design with a major in painting and minor in ceramics from Bournemouth College of Art, and is a member of several professional art and painting organizations.
Sylvia Carlton, adult oil and acrylic painting. Sylvia's love for the outdoors shows in her passion for 'Plein Air Painting', painting on location in natural light. Each painting reflects a passing moment of beauty captured in radiant truthful color. She paints the outdoors in natural light conditions as accurately as she can to preserve the essence of the light to share with others. Sylvia has studied with Eileen Nelson, Susan Sarback, Lois Griffel, Guido Frick and other artists who represent the two main schools of impressionism in the United States taught under Henry Hensche and Sergei Bongart. Sylvia maintains a studio and gallery in her home on Bainbridge Island which is open by appointment. Phone #206-842-8046. She started Plein Air Washington over 8 years ago. The group has many paint outs and participate in a regular show each year. www.pleinairwashington.com. 
Gregg Onewein, Life Drawing volunteer coordinator at Strawberry Hill Center for over 10 years! Gregg’s work can be found in many local NW galleries including Bainbridge Arts & Crafts.
Writing, Poetry, Storytelling, Public Speaking
“Creativity for Writers was just what I needed. I was able to connect with other creative people, learn about the creative process and have fun…. Not only did I make great connections in the class, but I also was able to tap into a creative side of me that I hadn't given voice to in years.” Erin Jennings
Margaret Nevinski holds a Master of Fine Arts Degree in writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She’s the author of children’s books for the school market as well as published stories and poems. Margaret has been teaching Creative Writing Workshops for young writers since 2000, and recently added “Creativity for Writers” for adults. Whether working with children, teens, or adults, Margaret loves to help writers explore their imaginations, express their unique voices, and put words to the page.
John Willson has taught the Poetry Writing Workshop with B. I. Metro Park and Recreation Arts & Cultural programs since 1991. In an atmosphere of positive, constructive criticism, he tries to nudge workshop conversations about poems toward a balance between nuts-and-bolts comments-where to break a line or stanza, where a different word or phrase might be more effective-and the overall impact of the poem on the level of emotion, how the poem makes us feel. The aim is to have the poet leave the workshop with ideas on how to revise toward the craft and the feeling of the poem. He believes in living long with a given poem in order to find its integrity, and encourages workshop members to bring revisions to subsequent workshops. To read a little more about John, click here.
Photography
Chuck Kirchner, a photographer as well as a transportation and environmental planning consultant, has traveled extensively in the US and abroad for both pleasure and business. And he’s always planning the next trip! His photographs have been published in local and national publications and have been exhibited at various Puget Sound area venues.
Emily Grice has been a practicing artistic photographer since she was 12 years old. She has worked as a freelance photographer since 1971, and has been teaching photography since 1977 through Kitsap County 4-H and the Bainbridge Island Parks District. She is currently a teacher with Eagle Harbor High School. Her work has been displayed at the BPA lobby, Bainbridge Island Arts Walks, Pegasus Coffee House, and the Ballard Arts Walk.
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND PHOTO CLUB
Learn about techniques used by other photographers, ways to display photos, and how to use new types of equipment including digital. Join the photo club and meet with both amateur and professional photographers. There are opportunities to share your work and to participate in a variety of events. Held monthly on the 2nd Wed, (except in July and August when the meetings will be held the Thursday following the second Wednesday) from 7:00-9:00pm at the Bainbridge Commons, 370 Brien Dr NW. Call 780-2232, 855-9316 or 360-297-2448 or visit www.biphotoclub.org for more info.
Cooking
Aileen Bergstrom grew up in Indonesia, in a Chinese family, where she became very familiar with both Southeast Asian cuisine as well as traditional Chinese cuisine. She attended the culinary school the Seattle Art Institute, where she mastered basic culinary arts as well as various advanced culinary disciplines.
Taylor Tan draws inspiration from the flavors of her home country of Taiwan as well as fresh, seasonal foods from the northwest, demonstrating creative explorations of gourmet cuisine with a home-style appeal. Using organic vegetables and all natural ingredients, Taylor provides a new appreciation for healthy cooking.
Music and Dance
Sheila Phillips is a certified dance instructor in Swing, Salsa, Ballroom and Latin with 16 years teaching experience. She is the owner and operator of Educated Feet dance studio on Bainbridge Island. She was also co-founder and coach for the Bainbridge award-winning teen troupe, the Swingin’ Hepcats. Sheila’s love for dance and in teaching dance gives her greatest satisfaction in social partner dancing. Above all, she believes in sharing the joy of dance with another. Sheila feels that dance has no boundaries and offers private and group instruction at all age & skill levels. Sheila believes dance in itself, is a lifelong learning experience. www.educatedfeet.net
Kitiera (Trish Morehead) is a second generation belly dancer and world dance artist. She holds a diverse dance background spanning 20 years of devoted study and performance.
She has (and continues) extensive training with the legendary dance masters Suhaila and Jamila Salimpour. Kitiera is level 3 SSBD and level 1 JSBD certified, is a former member of Suhaila's Repertoire Ensemble and also was an instructor at the SSSBD studio in Albany, CA. In 2010 she returned home to Bainbridge Island, where she works to develop and promote her own "ModRom" Dance fusion style. In addition to her own work, she is also a member of Fleurs d’Egypte Dance Company, directed by Najla.
Barbara Deering: guitar instructor - Barbara Deering is a long time resident here on Bainbridge. You may recognize her name and/or face from work she has done at the BPA, from her 15 year ownership of our one time local music store, Deering Music Co., or as someone who has taught your child, neighbor, or friend something over the past several years! Making her living as a performer as well as a teacher, Barbara has been teaching music and acting for over 30 years. Through the Parks Dept., she enjoys helping friends and neighbors learn self expression and creative new skills as she firmly believes the Arts are for EVERYONE!
Heather Scott with Little Woodstock Music Together
Music Together is an internationally recognized early childhood music and movement program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners and the adults who love them! Music Together is a community of families sharing songs, instrument play, rhythm and movement activities in a relaxed, playful, non-performance oriented setting. Music Together classes are research based & developed from a multi-age learning model, so siblings attend classes together. Watch your child learn, grow and develop basic music competence while having all around goofy fun! Music Together has been offering Family Music Classes for 20 yrs! Come experience the Joy of Family Music - it really is like Woodstock for Little People! Instructor Heather Scott is a licensed Music Together Center Director.
Yoga, Qigong and more
Carol Wallace has been dedicated to her personal practice of yoga for more than 25 years. For most of that time she has taught as well as practiced, mainly on Bainbridge Island, where she lives simply, adhering closely to the yoga ethical principles (the yamas and niyamas). Over the years her offerings to the yoga community have included study with guest teachers, her own yoga intensive workshops in and out of the country, and her broad variety of practice and yoga styles. Carol draws from various yoga disciplines, drawing inspiration comes from such respected teachers as Shiva Rea, Judith Lassiter, Jivamukti, and many outstanding NW teachers including Kathleen Hunt, Eiric Ovrid and Rebekkah LaDyne. She looks to Jack Kornfield and Salvatore Zambito as her special spiritual mentors. Her knowledge of yoga is deep and diverse, and she brings to every class a fresh, creative perspective of the practice of yoga. Om shanti.
Cindy Jones has been practicing yoga since 1995. She completed her primary teacher training in Kripalu yoga, which takes a heart-centered approach to deepening awareness through movement and breath. Her training also includes Iyengar-based and Vinyasa Flow yoga, all of which she blends into a mindful practice designed to reconnect and re-energize the mind, body and spirit.
Kristy Tonti RYT, Personal Trainer (AAFA) Places of Study: RYT with Mark Stephens, extended Yoga training with Nancy Gilgef and Michael Gannon. Bachelors of Fine Art from Cornish. Styles: Asthanga Vinyasa, Yin Yoga and Vinyasa Flow Focus: An authentic yoga practice integrating Pranayama (breathing exercises), Bhandas (energy locks) and asanas (postures) as a moving meditation. Through individual attention and self-paced study, each student will develop a sustainable, independent and autonomous practice. Emphasis is on fun!
Dorotha Carl has been a movement professional for 20 years who specializes in mind body fitness programs. She is certified with the Institute of Integral Qigong and Tai Chi.
Bridge with Anne Sommer
Anne Sommer loves bridge. For Anne, nothing matches the creativity, pleasure and excitement of the best game in the world, except for other bridge players. Ordained as a certified bridge instructor by the American Contract Bridge League in 2009 and a current member of the American Bridge Teacher’s Association, Anne hopes, through her classes, to convert others.
Foreign Languages and more
Julieta Vitullo, Spanish instructor. Julieta is a native of Argentina and has a PhD in Latin American Literature. She’s taught Spanish for 12 years. Borrowing from authentic materials such as poems, comics, songs and movie clips, Julieta’s classes will help you acquire the language while you get familiar with the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world.
Elsa Quintanilla Trail was born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico and has resided on Bainbridge Island, WA since July 1998. After her first daughter was born, she recognized the importance of acquiring languages at an early age and created Español para los Chiquitines (Spanish for the Little Ones). In addition to Bainbridge Island Metro Parks Programs, Elsa currently teaches Spanish to kindergartners and first graders at the Saint Cecilia Catholic School and also works for the Kitsap Regional Library as Spanish story-time teller. Elsa has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing from the Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey in Mexico and an MBA in International Management from the Monterey Institute of International Studies in Monterey, CA. Elsa is married to Michael D. Trail and has two bilingual daughters.
Julia Ensley, French instructor I grew up in Southern England and began studying French at the age of eight. Since then, I have studied approximately 12 languages and taught French, German, Italian and English as a Second Language. You could say that learning and teaching languages is a passion. My own, personal, lifetime hobby is studying Mandarin Chinese, which is an ongoing project. So I know what it takes to acquire the basics in a language and I'll be able to see what is causing students problems in French, and help them find a way to fix or go around it. Part of my philosophy is to encourage students to make the language their own, by learning the words that are relevant to them and their interests.
www.frenchonbainbridge.com
Jennifer Rideout-Redeker, German instructor has been teaching German to adults and teens for 14 years. Her Park District classes have been enthusiastically received this spring 2011.
Kathryn Keve: Are You Thinking About Writing A Book? As an avid reader, an incurable editor/proofreader, photographer, and graphic designer, I can offer the "works" for writers! Marketing and Publishing Services: informed by my previous business career that included software development, project and product management, advertising and marketing collateral, user manuals. Photography: I've been taking pictures since a got my first camera when I was about 11 years old. I'm drawn to the vibrant visual beauty of the Pacific Northwest, the landscapes, gardens, birds and marine life?and enjoy creating images in color and words. Graphic Design: This work evolved naturally as photography and design entered the digital age. I really enjoy using my creativity to help others succeed! www.keveoriginals.com
Kristie Keller, Self Care Workshops. I pursued an education in personal life coaching after several years working as a massage practitioner and leader in the salon and spa industry. In addition to my own interest in personal development, I was intrigued about what allowed some clients to feel so empowered in their health and wellness while others felt so defeated, regardless of the circumstances. I am passionate about living fully and enjoy supporting others in figuring out what that means for them. What is possible when your values and actions are in alignment and you connect with your full potential? Let's find out!
Jan Fredrickson, Adaptive Recreation Cooking, Arts & Crafts & Field Trips for People with special needs. Jan has taught cooking for many years with Kent Parks Adaptive Recreation. She is a former Special Education Teacher who, with her husband Craig, operates a home for people with disabilities here on Bainbridge Island.
GARDENING
John Barutt is a Master Composter and Research Health Scientist with years of experience in community composte gardening in the Northwest. 
Gayle Larson, Urban Vegetable Gardening and more! Gayle Larson is a Landscape Designer and Certified Professional Horticulturist. She has been an urban vegetable gardener in the Pacific NW for over 10 years. Through her business, Dancing Raven Design, she offers design, coaching and consultation services, with an emphasis on edible gardens. Contact info: 360-981-7127, dancingravendesign@hotmail.com. www.dancingravendesign.com