BIMA is delighted to announce that community activist and philanthropist—and founding Board Member—Steve Davis has accepted the role of Honorary Chair for BIMA Bash! 2019. The June event, comprised of two nights of parties and auctions, is the Museum’s largest fundraiser of the year—accountable for more than a third of the organization’s annual operating budget. Tickets go on sale in April at www.bimabash.com.

Steve is near and dear to BIMA. He is one of a handful of individuals who joined the founding Board of Directors at the request of Museum Founder, Cynthia Sears. Recently retired from the board after serving the maximum of three terms (9 years), Steve was instrumental in the Museum’s original capital campaign, construction, launch, and has served weekly shifts as a docent since the Museum’s opening in June 2013. While on the board, Steve acted as Treasurer and served on the Building & Grounds, Finance and Fundraising Committees.

A Bainbridge Island resident since 1942, Steve is a graduate of Bainbridge High School. Throughout his career in Trust Management and on into retirement, Mr. Davis has been a dedicated patron of the arts and supporter of his community. He has served on the boards of Bainbridge Community Foundation (Founder and 1st President), One Call For All, Bainbridge Diversion Board, Helpline House Endowment Fund Committee, Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial, Health, Housing, and Human Services Council of Bainbridge Island, Bloedel Reserve, Island Volunteer Caregivers, and Seattle Aquarium as well as a number of other organizations in the region. One of his most visible contributions to Bainbridge Island is The Waypoint—directly across from BIMA—that reclaimed a former gas station site and replaced it with a pocket park that greets everyone who arrives to Bainbridge Island by ferry.

Planning for BIMA Bash! 2019 is well underway. The lively Friday, June 14 party and silent auction features more than 100 one-of-a-kind art pieces including paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture, photography, jewelry, plus travel and culinary expenses at all price ranges. The Saturday, June 15 event includes a short silent auction and social hour followed by a seated dinner and live auction. Both events support Bainbridge Island Museum of Art’s mission and ongoing programs, including free admission to the galleries and subsidized field trips for regional students.

More information on the event, including highlights from the 2018 fundraiser, can be found at www.bimabash.com. Information for the 2019 event will be available in March.