SJIs Museum of Art Opens New Phase of Development

— from Diane Martindale —

After many years on the board of the San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA), serving as chairman of the board and executive director, and guiding the construction of the permanent museum in Friday Harbor, Charlie Bodenstab has retired.

“I wholeheartedly wish SJIMA success in this new chapter of its life in service to the arts, artists and the community,” says Bodenstab. “I believe in SJIMA’s future!”

With a restructured board, SJIMA leadership is using this new phase in the museum’s development to consolidate efforts and reshape operations. Former members of the board RaVae Luckhart and Karen Woldtvedt remain. Six new board members join them: Yvonne Buijs-Mancuso, Knowle Hanson, Peter Lane, Laura Long, Linda Marsaudon and Diane Martindale.

Says Luckhart, “SJIMA is grateful for the contributions of Charlie Bodenstab, the late Jack Yelverton and the many staff and board members who have worked hard to bring quality visual arts to the San Juans since our founding.”

The new SJIMA board has embraced the professional assistance of the Ostara Group, of Seattle, to shape a strategic plan. Another project is to recruit long-term board members whose talents and energies would support that strategic plan. Until such time that the budget and funding can support a full-time executive director, a steering committee provides management of the day-to-day activities.

SJIMA’s tradition for outstanding programming will continue with a seminal exhibition in 2017, Legends of the Human Spirit: Traditional and Contemporary Coastal Peoples. The exhibition showcases art from the Nuu-chah-nulth, Coast Salish, and Kwakwaka’wakw Nations, and other First Nations, making this the first ever exhibition of Coastal People’s art in the county. The exhibition opens in May 2017 and ends after Labor Day, capturing the peak-season visitors.

Current exhibitions are Gu Xiong: River of Migration, Nicole Pietrantoni: Hydrographs and Dianne Kornberg: For All We Know, open for viewing until November 28. In early December the Artists’ Registry Show will feature talent from over 90 regional artists in the main galleries, and in the Atrium Gallery John Heric’s work will be showcased.

SJIMA will continue to feature individual artists, group themes and collaborative efforts from both recognized artists as well as emerging ones. For each exhibit we seek sponsorship by members of the community or by foundations. Galleries are reshaped for each exhibition; surprising guests with fresh experiences for each visit. Community oriented, SJIMA provides art-related workshops and partners with the San Juan Island School District to build community-based art education programs for our youth. Having originated more than eleven years ago with a “virtual” museum using the San Juan Community Theatre as a venue for exhibits and lectures, SJIMA now has a permanent home at 540 Spring Street.

We welcome your participation in SJIMA.