While she still gets back to her hometowns of Philadelphia and New York, Sheila Hughes has been an active figure in the Seattle arts and non-profit landscape for more than 30 years. For two decades she served as Principal, Producer and COO of One Reel, the creative powerhouse responsible for Bumbershoot, WOMAD, Summer Nights at the Pier, Lake Union Family Fourth, and Teatro ZinZanni Seattle & San Francisco, as well as dozens of Northwest and touring concerts, theater and circus arts, youth programs and spectacles. She’s served as Executive Director of Icicle Creek Center for the Arts and Gage Academy of Art, and since 2016 has been Executive Director of the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art. She advocates for several organizations which deliver essential services to our region, including the Pike Market Senior Center & Food Bank, Path with Art and Earshot Jazz, and is active on issues related to social justice and equity. When not working, she can be found knee deep in manure at the barn, dirt at the garden, or vegetables in the kitchen… or listening to music, preferably at a club or festival.

Greg grew up in Seattle and went to graduate school in New York City to earn his master’s degree in Public Administration from NYU. His arts career was accidental – while director of facilities planning at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City in the 1980s, he helped launch one of the largest hospital art collections in the country. That’s how he got ‘the bug.’ Subsequently, he held positions including executive director of Pratt Fine Arts Center in Seattle, director of William Traver Gallery in Tacoma, and executive director of the Museum of Northwest Art (MoNA) in La Conner.

Greg serves the non-profit art community through numerous selection panels for exhibitions and awards, including the Betty Bowen Award Committee of Seattle Art Museum since 1999. Career highlights include several book projects on Puget Sound artists, serving on the board of the American Craft Council, and volunteering as a strategic facilitator and coach for smaller non-profit organizations.

“If I bring anything to BIMA it is endless curiosity. My job is to mine our regional art world for diverse talent – both long-standing careers that are deserving, and artists that are new (at least to me) in this ever changing landscape. At BIMA we cook up exhibitions from scratch – we have no real recipe to follow, just great – and fresh ingredients!”

Two decades in the nonprofit world—where budgets are tight and flexibility is key—have given Korum the opportunity to gain a wide range of skills in marketing, branding, public relations, management, and event production.

He started his career in arts non-profits at One Reel, working as graphic designer for Bumbershoot, Teatro ZinZanni, and Summer Nights at the Pier. Over time, Korum built up his marketing chops and became Marketing Manager for Teatro ZinZanni where, when not working on the legendary show, he was part of a small team that developed new after-hours projects for the circus tent and developed its education programs. After nearly twelve years, he left the project to become Director of Communications & Events for Bloedel Reserve before finding his way to BIMA which he feels is where he was always meant to be. At BIMA, Korum oversees Marketing & Communications, Cultural & Community Programs, Digital Media & Online Programs, Visitor Experience, and the Museum Store.

Fun to know: Outside of the 9-5, Korum plays drums for Grammy-nominated family music band Recess Monkey, funk and soul extravaganza WurliPop, and his studio projects Western Arrow and The Phantom Years. He has also played with or alongside David Byrne, Jon Hendricks, The Dead Science, Grady Tate, his brother Jherek and many others. For his work as a musician, community organizer, and educator, Korum was the first recipient of the Amy Award for Emerging Artists.

Catherine Alice Michaelis has been exploring what an artist book can be for over 30 years. She works with antique printing presses, moveable type, and any printable medium she finds, including: paper, fabric, film, magnets, and veneer—primarily on themes of nature. She sews unique works on fabrics that more intimately explore gender, ageism, and memory loss. Catherine pushes her creative practice through writing, videopoetry, direct animation, and direct dyeing from plants. Before starting her art career, she lived in Japan and traveled through much of Asia.

Catherine works with scientists, writers, visual artists, and musicians to make edition print work. She organized the invitational print set Stack the Deck: 18 Artists Mark the Cards for Women’s Health & Healing in 1999. Catherine has been collected by over 100 public institutions, and she was featured in the PBS series Craft in America in the “Nature” episode, in 2017. Catherine has curated national and international artist book shows in the Pacific Northwest and created programming around them, most recently at Bainbridge Island Museum of Art.

Kristi spent four years as a volunteer on the Installation Crew, deeping her connection to BIMA, before joining the staff. However, art education and art installation has been a passion her whole life. Her career as a school administrator always prioritized the arts and the importance of a creative life. In addition to her work in the arts, she is highly involved in her other passion, gardening, at Wacky Nut Garden and the dahlia cart located at Halls Hill Labyrinth Park.

At the dawn of time, Kim was an art student, veterinary tech, then master picture framer and independent business owner. Exploring art preservation led to a 2009 UW Museum Studies Certificate. She arrived at BIMA in 2014 via an internship through Seattle University. Chief Curator Greg Robinson promoted her to the Curatorial Associate/Volunteer Coordinator position where she now nimbly spends her days spanning both roles, then nightly entertains her husband and the paw-n-terouge. Kim is passionate about art and process and finds inspiration sharing the BIMA experience with the many audiences the Museum reaches. Connecting people with art makes her day!

Previously the programs manager for Arts & Humanities Bainbridge and Port Townsend School of the Arts, Jenna d’Anna is also a teaching artist. She has designed and taught thoughtful, fun curricula with an emphasis on bringing rich experiences of the outer art world and community into classrooms and vice versa. Her mixed media paintings have sold as original commissions, giclée prints, and greeting cards. She is a mother and bookworm who loves soulful conversations, being a cultural worker, and time in nature. Jenna is thrilled to have joined BIMA as Senior Manager of Museum Education & Community Engagement!

Valerie is thrilled to join BIMA to help tell the stories of the Puget Sound’s vibrant arts and crafts community, and to capture the museum’s dynamic, collaborative programming and events. She previously served as a project manager for the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA), working closely with artists and community stakeholders to realize public art projects in communities across Washington State. She started at ArtsWA as the writer and researcher for the online presentation of artworks in the State Art Collection. Strategic communications is at the heart of her experience, and she is passionate about uplifting artists and deepening arts access in her community. A Bainbridge Island native, Valerie is thrilled to be back in her hometown. She received a MA in Philosophy and the Arts from SUNY Stony Brook University and a BA in Philosophy from Colorado College.

Hailing from Vancouver BC, Erin is a proud dual citizen who loves her Bremerton home-by-the-bay. She has an extensive background in the production of creative, mission-focused fundraising events that engage and inspire sponsors and donors. She has worked with some our region’s most dynamic nonprofits including Bellevue Arts Museum, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Seattle Aquarium, and the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship, where she was the founding Development Director from 2014 – 2021.

Fun fact: Erin was a regular performer with Vancouver Theatresports in the 80’s, and produced three comedy improv tournaments at Expo 86 World’s Fair.

Mikayla has lived in Seattle almost her whole life with a short hiatus for the last two years to live and work in London where she traveled to 20 different countries! She has called Bainbridge Island home for the past five years and absolutely loves the community and how vibrant it is. Mikayla was a volunteer at the museum before coming on full time and loves how it brings so many people together. Visiting museums has always been one of her favorite pastimes, and getting to visit so many all over the world eventually reignited her passion for art. Her background is Marketing Technology for a Seattle-based tech company, but she is uber-excited to move into the non-profit world. When she’s not specializing in memberships at BIMA, Mikayla loves to read, blog, create scrapbooks, cycle, ski, and spend lots of time with her two cats. She is very happy to be joining this wonderful organization!

Taylor is originally from Salt Lake City where he studied horticulture and worked as a regenerative farmer. He moved to Bainbridge Island five years ago and has loved every minute. One of the first places he visited was BIMA and has since taken every visitor there. “It is definitely the crown jewel of Bainbridge Island—though Frog Rock is a close second! I am excited to connect with the community through the Museum and promote joy, curiosity and engagement.”

Graphic design is taking an idea and making it visual – that is where Laura comes into the picture. When tasked with a project, she will create with care and design with intention. Her early work experience in the printing industry gave her the skills she’s put into practice as a graphic designer and photographer for over 20 years. Laura enjoys traveling abroad and says that those travels helped her become even more appreciative of art, language, and their connection to each other. She especially loves how BIMA explores and shares a multitude of sensory experiences with different styles of art, music, and movies – and encourages the next generation of artists with art education and crafts.

Aidan, like most navy kids, was born one place but grew up in other places. Born in San Diego, CA, and he grew up for the most part in the Kitsap County, WA. A job opportunity for his mother brought his family to Sicily, Italy, as he calls it, “The Volcanic Pizza Shaped Soccer Ball off the Boot of the Mainland.” (Don’t ask him for directions or they’ll be as long winded as that nickname.) The endless visits to ancient ruins, other countries, and all the museums in between beat a love of the arts and history into him.  After returning from across the world and going into high school he needed some art credits and delved into stained glass, setting him on the inevitable path to a degree in the arts.  Aidan attended Washington State University in Pullman and earned his BFA in Photography & Oil Painting with a Minor in Art History. He took classes in as many mediums as he could fit in his schedule and always asked questions. Towards the end of his time at WSU, he interned with the campus Museum of Art (now the WSU Jordan Schnitzer Art Museum) and found a new and unexpected love of the arts. He is incredibly excited to be part of the team at BIMA and be in the Museum environment again.  “If you want someone to love art, nature, and architecture, don’t just show them tourist pictures, take them somewhere, and show them the real thing!”

A PNW transplant, Jordan originally hails from Denver, CO. Growing up in a wildly creative family, the love and importance of art was instilled at an early age. While studying at the University of Colorado at Boulder, Jordan received a BS in Journalism, and a BA in Art History. A study abroad trip to Paris in the summer of 2008 solidified her love of art, museums, travel, and a good gift shop. Post college, Jordan went to work for her family’s online children’s toy store, Imagine Childhood, as a buyer, social media manager, content creator, and overall jack of all trades. After nearly a decade working with her mom and sister, Jordan decided it was time to switch things up and combine her love of art, and her love of retail into a job at BIMA. For kicks, Jordan loves metalsmithing, fashion and visible mending, climbing mountains, riding horses, playing with her kids, and sailing with her family.

Ellie has been engaged in all things artsy since a young age and is a recent graduate of the University of Washington with degree in drama, just one way her passion for the arts has manifested. When not working in BIMA’s gorgeous shop, Ellie can be found helping out with BPA’s drama classes for youngsters or acting herself with various theaters on the island. She loves the calm and welcoming atmosphere at BIMA and the chance to always be learning something new about local artists and our local arts scene.

Konner grew up in the Sunshine State, living right along the Gulf of Mexico near Tampa, Florida. Her academic journey at Rollins College earned her two Bachelor’s of Art’s degrees — one in Art History and one in History. Konner has travelled across the globe, from exploring the historic ruins of Greece to the vibrant streets of Vietnam, and lived in Rome, Italy for five months during her college years. It was in this beautiful city that Konner’s love for exploration, art, and connection was cemented. Konner’s philosophy, and overall promise to those around her, is to never stop learning — there are always new discoveries to make. She will always be open to new ideas, experiences, and friendships.

In 2023, Konner embarked on a new adventure, relocating to the Pacific Northwest after falling in love with the city of Seattle and the natural beauty surrounding it. Her life in Seattle is a mix of outdoor activities, urban exploration, and culinary adventures. She loves hiking, wandering around the city in search of new coffee shops, and eating as much pasta as humanly possible.

When she’s not exploring, Konner enjoys to recharge by diving into a good book, crocheting blankets and small, cozy creatures, and reciting the opening sequence to Avatar: The Last Airbender. Konner is always ready to discuss the intricacies of fantasy worlds like Harry Potter, ACOTAR, and Avatar, and welcomes all book recommendations and any recipes for home-cooked meals and baked treats.

Scott spent years as a contractor in Maryland before choosing to stay at home with his two kids. Scott used his skills to build playgrounds, organize school events, plan fundraisers, and be a member of the PTO. With the kids in college, Scott turned back to his work in construction management and joined a property management company. The relationships made with local parents and contractors in those years made for a perfect match when the museum was newly finished and needed a Facility Manager to finish punch list items with contractors and oversee new ongoing operations with compliance needs. Working with all departments at the museum along with the art installation and lighting crew, Scott has been part of the woven family that makes BIMA the little museum that could.