The homepage of Guemes Island Art Initiative: Celebrating art, artists, and creativity—this is what the Initiative, an offshoot of the Guemes Island Community Center Association, is all about. With GICCA’s mission being to enrich and connect the Guemes Island community, artists and art lovers are definitely important to our community. So how exactly did this Initiative come about?
GICCA Board members gathered in 2020 to discuss ways to foster community and build connections amid a global pandemic. What started with the idea that Guemes Island has a long history of encouraging and celebrating visual arts, and shifted to begin to tallying up the number of professional and amateur artists who lived, worked, and owned property on Guemes Island. To the amazement of many, literally dozens of artists fit the bill and with time even more are being discovered.
By fall, the idea of an online “art gallery” came to life as a way for island artists to display and share their passion for art and by doing so, bring visibility to art and artists of all ages on Guemes Island.
What are the elements of this Initiative?