The days are longer, the flowers are blooming and we are planting our gardens…..all normal for May.  Our May artist, Chris Demarest, reminds us what is not normal with his exhibit titled NIDOTO NAI YONI: “Let It Not Happen Again”.  The exhibit will on display throughout the month of May.

Opening Reception:
Friday, May 2, 5:00–7:00 p.m.
Library Meeting Room

From the Artist:

On February 19, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law the forceful removal of all Japanese Americans on the West Coast to concentration camps from California to Arkansas. Two-thirds were U.S. citizens. Here on Bainbridge Island, 227 residents were taken from their homes.

In 2002, a plaque was placed at the Japanese American Exclusion Memorial with the words: Nidoto Nai Yoni–“Let It Not Happen Again.” With the return of Donald J. Trump to the White House we are, in fact, seeing it happen again.

These portraits are a statement against the current administration’s attempt to erase our history; we will not forget the contributions of women and people of color in uniform.

This exhibit represents a collection of paintings done as part of my World War Two Portrait Tour (2011-2017).