Stories from BAM's Community
At Bellevue Arts Museum, we know art is best when it’s shared with others, whether that’s introducing friends and family to your favorite exhibitions or connecting kids with art activities that spark their creativity. This page features personal stories from our friends, neighbors, and volunteers that highlight why the Museum matters to them and is worth supporting.
Jeremiah's Story
Jeremiah and his family outside of BAM's building.
I started working at Bellevue Arts Museum as a temporary security contractor in August 2009. I eventually joined the permanent staff at the museum, and have maintained my years of service at BAM because of the people and the community that the museum is involved with.
From partner organizations and visitors to the staff who have welcomed me with open arms, I have built long-lasting relationships with everyone here at BAM.
Over the last 12 years I have created special memories that are irreplaceable. One of them is meeting my spouse. We have two children together and what some would call the first "BAM family." While my wife moved on from working at BAM, she has a passion for the arts and continues to support the arts community. Our son Alex has been supporting the education department’s summer camps and is not camera shy. He has been the face of the BAM’s summer programming. We celebrated his first birthday at BAM, and from there the rest is history. My youngest daughter Olivia loves to draw, and both she and my eldest daughter Natalie provide me with daily words of encouragement as I tell them that I am headed into the museum.
In my current position, I oversee BAM’s security team and instill confidence in everyone I meet. My unparalleled dedication, commitment to excellence, and overall passion for interacting and engaging with visitors and staff are the reasons I love coming to work. BAM is my second family, and I believe that keeping the family dynamic starts with people. Establishing the family core and maintaining it will catapult BAM with continued success.
Danah's Story
Left: Teen Arts Council (TAC) members discuss call for art poster design. Right: Danah stands in front of Dylan Neuwirth's SCREENS in BAM's Forum.
Throughout my high school career, the best thing I've ever done was walking into the Bellevue Arts Museum's large revolving doors for the BAM Arts Fair in 2019.
I never imagined that I would get so involved with the Museum till I began my volunteering journey. Many windows of opportunities were introduced to me, such as Teen Arts Council (TAC), Get Crafty Saturdays, Free First Fridays, and Free Family Days.
Through these opportunities, I've gained experience and skills that will help me in the future.
BAM's TAC allowed me to confidently present my ideas and execute them with the best collaborators. After two years of TAC, I was accepted for a micro internship to promote the program to other local teens and increase the number of applicants for this upcoming year. As a result of my improved marketing skills, there were 70+ TAC applicants for this year! I'm really glad I was a part of building this new TAC community because I just love how inclusive this council is and how passionate other members are.
BAM's other volunteer opportunities like Get Crafty Saturdays, Free First Fridays, and Free Family Days gave me something to look forward to after school. After a tiresome week, it’s really stress relieving to work with wonderful and extremely creative children. The fact that I was able to sign up for it every Saturday was absolutely the highlight of my week. Although I have volunteered at Get Crafty regularly, Free First Fridays really helped me out with my socializing and communication skills. Every time I volunteered, I got to practice placing a large smile on my face and displaying a welcoming attitude for each person walking in the large revolving doors. People were often extremely nice as well and it just made me more confident when approaching people. I recall this one moment when a gentleman with a nice suit came in on a Free First Friday and then as he was about to leave the museum, he complimented my welcoming attitude and donated a few dollars. It felt really nice to know that I had made someone's day by making a good impression on them and I will continue to do so! At family events like Free Family Days, BAM-o-ween, etc., my ability to stay calm and be patient was also improving drastically. Working with a large group of children is not an easy task, but it was extremely easy to make it fun and enjoyable for us all.
To this day, I'm still deeply thankful to BAM for being my second home and helping me develop all of these essential skills through these great opportunities.
Joydeep's Story
Joydeep in BAM's second-floor galleries and staircase.
In Fall 2020, I was invited to join BAM and bring my 5+ years of experience of leading the Bellevue Youth Board to help connect the Museum with the diverse population of Bellevue, especially the youth. During my Museum tour, I was struck by the unique architecture of the Steven Holl-designed building and the environment of silence created by its unusual features. I was mesmerized as the experience of being in the building reminded me of my research labs in Finland, where we test cellular antennas in a sound-controlled space. I saw a strong connection between me as an engineer and as a Bellevue resident. Both entities like to function in a pure environment devoid of unnecessary noise and love a calm and peaceful environment. My father-in-law also just passed away few months back leaving me a treasure of his 60 years of artwork. My mother-in-law is also an accomplished sculptor and painter.
I felt this immense signal from the Universe that I needed to join BAM and do my best to preserve this unique jewel. I had an awesome welcome from board leadership, who made me feel at home with rest of the board. As we go through these pandemic times, I feel more motivated to put my efforts in outreach and connect the enormous tech population to the Museum, as science and the arts are both interlinked.
Because of its location, I also believe BAM has the potential to become more than just a museum. In the photo above, you can see me wearing a Kurta, a reflection of my culture and heritage. We speak 100+ languages in Bellevue, which is very rare in any part of the world. As our city continues to grow, I want people to come to BAM in their ethnic dresses and find it a safe place to celebrate their heritage and culture. With the incredible beauty of the PNW, we all strive to express our artistic feelings with paintings and photography every day. I feel privileged to serve this institution to help preserve our arts and culture for our future generations.
Jessica's Story
Installation view of BAM Biennial 2021: Architecture & Urban Design. Featured work: Dave Kennedy, Everything that remains. Andrew Santa Lucia, ALANAR.
You are the heart of Bellevue Arts Museum (BAM). Your engagement, support, and contributions are what make BAM the extraordinarily special community that it is. I am honored to serve as Interim Development Director and am in awe of this cultural gem anchoring the hustle and bustle of downtown Bellevue.
When I first received the call about BAM’s development needs, I was immediately intrigued. Earlier in my career, I worked for America’s oldest art museum, the Wadsworth Atheneum in Connecticut. Walking the halls each day truly felt magical. As I approached BAM on my first day, I felt that familiar spark. Famed Northwest architect Steven Holl’s landmark building sits majestically along Bellevue Way, inviting curiosity and wonder.
At BAM, culture, connectivity, and community emanate. Because the Museum isn’t tethered to a permanent collection, the exhibitions and installations rotate several times a year. I’ve been a part of the BAM family for just a few months, and already there’s new art to experience. Currently on view, BAM’s 2021 Biennial, Architecture and Urban Design offers much to absorb and discuss about the Eastside’s evolving landscapes—particularly the essential role of effective and equitable design in an ever-expanding urban environment. More than twenty artists and architects, both established and emerging, share their visions and creativity with us in this extraordinary and timely exhibition.
During my first hours at BAM, Associate Curator Lane Eagles graciously gave me a tour. Her passion and enthusiasm for each exhibition and the Museum itself remains with me today. Each installation, each object, has a story. I walk by one exhibit regularly and recall, each time, the familial story behind the pieces. The artist, a loving mother, memorialized her daughters’ lipstick shades and teatime in her incredibly intricate glass sculptures. Though the works of art are striking and transformative, I believe that it is BAM’s sense of community that is even more compelling. Every day, I interact with some of the most dedicated staff, board members, and docents I have ever worked with. When folks say, “BAM Fam,” I’ve learned they aren’t kidding. Everyone at BAM has a deep connection to the space and the mission, and more importantly, to you. Perhaps now more than ever.
Like most arts and cultural organizations, BAM has suffered tremendous blows since COVID-19. The Museum was shuttered for a total of nine months, cutting off all vital earned revenue streams from admissions and events. While our doors reopened most recently in February of this year, the ever-changing, precarious nature of the pandemic limits what programming and activities we can offer. Safety remains our utmost concern. Relief funds have been secured, though most of those funds have yet to arrive. Yet, the BAM Fam continues to work harder, doing everything they can to ensure the Museum remains an integral part of the Eastside community for years to come.
Today, BAM needs you more than ever. Our artists, staff, volunteers, neighbors, visitors—our community needs you.
MaryAnne's Story
MaryAnne and grandson Aaron in front of Holly Ballard Martz's Danger of Nostalgia in Wallpaper Form (in utero)
Becoming a docent was never in my plans. How it all started was an email I received from BAM recruiting for docents. I was working full-time (still am) and discussed with my manager the commitment it was going to take for classes. Once a week for nine months. She approved my request for the time off as it could be business related.
I was extremely happy to be selected for the docent program. What a wonderful experience! Not only were the instructors full of so much knowledge and passion, but our guest speakers and BAM employees were simply the best. I was in awe of many of my classmates and the life experiences and expertise they shared which added to the enjoyment and fulfillment of the program.
I adore BAM, and as I’ve grown as a docent, I’ve watched the Museum grow and adapt to the current state of the world, most specifically the Pacific Northwest. Our Museum is unique in that most of our artists are living, and we can meet them, listen to their stories, and get insider information to share with our guests and members.
I’ve learned that art opens so many doors to communication. I love engaging with our guests at the Museum to get their point of view of the art. There is NEVER a wrong impression. Even if they or I do not care for or maybe understand the art, we can always talk about it.
Get Crafty Saturdays is how I introduced my grandson, Aaron, to the Museum. Afterwards, I would give him a mini tour of the latest exhibitions. He was a sponge! He asked such thoughtful questions and truly appreciated the art. It was so wonderful opening this world to him.
As a docent I became aware of all that BAM has to offer, not just exhibitions. Education, seminars, public and private events, and their own philanthropic gifts. When my son-in-law, Nick, suddenly passed away when Aaron was 12, the staff offered us a full scholarship so Aaron could attend summer camp at the Museum. This was so touching. It’s not all about receiving at BAM, it’s also about giving back.
Aaron loves art. On a recent road trip to Florida from Seattle, his stops included art galleries, museums, and outdoor art venues. It makes me so proud that this little person has grown up experiencing and embracing art. I know it has added to his overall education and appreciation of the world. He is now a member on his own. Not many 19-year-olds have their own art museum memberships!
I cannot say enough about how fulfilling it is being a docent. The education, emotion, camaraderie, self-fulfillment, wonder, friendships, community engagement, etc. are priceless. I am proud to represent BAM and will continue to do so as long as I am able.