IMA — Ten Years in the Making
During 2001, both the Westcott Bay Sculpture Park and The Visual Arts Museum or VAM were independently formed and later evolved into the current IMA organization.
Kay Kammerzell, who originated the Sculpture Park, enlisted Roche Harbor to allow the organization to create the Park on 20 acres of Roche Harbor land on the edge of Westcott Bay. Under Kay's direction and driving leadership the Park fleshed out over the next few years into its current size and general character.
The Visual Arts Museum, originally conceived by Andrea Simmons and a small group of visual arts supporters, had the vision of becoming a fully accredited museum in Friday Harbor serving the San Juan Islands. The objective was to host major exhibitions, educating youth, and supporting the Islands' artists. The original effort to build a physical facility did not materialize at that time, but did create an embryonic organization that sponsored fine exhibitions and "Art as a Voice" Events over the years at the San Juan Community Theatre.
In 2008 the museum part of IMA was housed in a very modest facility on Spring Street in Friday Harbor. It was at this time that Pam Nichols, as president of VAM and Nina LeBaron, president of Westcott Bay Institute began the conversations to bring the Museum and the Sculpture Park together as one visual arts organization.
In 2009 VAM and the Sculpture Park merged and became the present organization – The San Juan Islands Museum of Art and Sculpture or IMA. Pam Nichols passed away in May of 2009 and the Board sought out Charlie Bodenstab's involvement and he became the new president of IMA. The organization's focus became one of creating a sense of unity and purpose.
The vision for IMA is to become the cornerstone of the visual arts for San Juan Island. In the process, the museum has been hosting a broad range of very high quality shows and exhibitions, at little or not cost to the attendees. The sculpture park continues to evolve as a world class facility for large sculptures, available for year round viewing, along with periodic educational and theme oriented events.
IMA relocated two years ago from Spring Street to First Street, into the oldest building on the Island, often referred to as the Historic American Camp Officers Quarters. Recently, when the historic “Officers Quarters”, was moved back to American Camp on the Cape of San Juan, IMA moved to 285 Spring Street, right across the street from its earliest beginnings (note pictures).
Due to the generosity of The Friday Harbor House owner, Lang Simons, IMA enjoyed the former Museum location on First Street for the cost of utilities only. The current Museum facility on Spring Street is also due to the generosity of David Moorhouse. In addition, it is important to note, that the Roche Harbor Resort has been a generous supporter of the Sculpture Park for over 10 years. The IMA Board of Directors and Advisors are deeply grateful to both Lang Simon and David Moorhouse for their support of IMA and to the Roche Harbor Resort Organization for their annual financial contributions and their loan of the land in perpetuity to the IMA Sculpture Park.
Added space is needed for the art museum to accommodate full sized exhibitions, office space, and a classroom. A reasonable goal would be about 10,000 sq.ft. The look of the space would be similar to the current building which fits harmoniously into the San Juan Island atmosphere. It would be important that the facility be, as it is currently, within the Friday Harbor downtown area since that is the population center and tourist entry point. IMA is planning to launch a capital campaign in the near future. Plan now to become a part of this vision.
