Season
May 2026
A month of signature programs and community-hosted cultural events.
About the festival
Bainbridge Island's pan-Asian celebration of art, heritage, and community
The Asian Arts & Heritage Festival is produced by Arts & Humanities Bainbridge (AHB), a local nonprofit 501(c)(3). We bring communities together to experience cultures, share traditions across generations, and honor history while building a more inclusive civic future on Bainbridge Island.
Produced by AHB501(c)(3)Bainbridge Island, WA
2026 season at a glance
Footprint
Island-wide
Connected venues across Bainbridge with one shared guest experience.
Built with
Community partners
Artists, volunteers, sponsors, and neighbors co-produce each season.
About Arts & Humanities Bainbridge
AHB is the nonprofit engine behind the festival
Arts & Humanities Bainbridge (AHB) produces the Asian Arts & Heritage Festival and supports year-round cultural programs for the island. Our mission is to expand creative access, deepen cross-cultural understanding, and create public space where Asian artists, histories, and community voices are visible.
AHB is a registered 501(c)(3) public charity
Programs include the Asian Arts & Heritage Festival, Creative Thread, Ruby Gala, and sister-festival partnerships such as Pistahan.
In practice, that means AHB is helping build local cultural infrastructure, civic trust, and year-round opportunities for community participation.
Festival guiding principles
How we shape the festival experience together
Cultural storytelling in public
We center artists, elders, and youth in visible public programs where Asian cultures are celebrated, taught, and experienced together.
Island-wide and generational access
Events are designed for elders, youth, and families across Bainbridge Island with pathways that welcome first-time guests and long-time cultural leaders.
Shared ownership and partnership
Sponsors, volunteers, artists, and partner organizations co-produce each season to expand representation and deepen community connection year over year.
The Founder and Visionary
Stephanie Reese
FounderVisionaryEvent Producer3 years involved
Stephanie Reese founded the Asian Arts & Heritage Festival to create a full month where Bainbridge Island can celebrate Asian artists, honor cultural heritage, and build stronger community through shared experiences.
Her leadership combines artistic vision with practical community-building, shaping a festival model that welcomes families, uplifts emerging and established voices, and invites sponsors, volunteers, and partners into meaningful collaboration.
Founder's note
“Create a festival where every generation can see itself reflected.”
Focus today
Leading the 2026 season
Stephanie's work this season centers on the public-facing pieces that shape how the festival feels.
Artist partnerships and signature program shaping
Festival storytelling across web, press, and community channels
Island-wide collaboration with venues, sponsors, and partners
2026 planning team3 years involved
Founder and visionary
Stephanie
Founder
Festival leadership
2026 committee3 years involved
Stephanie
Founder
Bio
Stephanie leads festival vision, artist partnerships, and year-round planning across the island-wide program.
“Create a festival where every generation can see itself reflected.”
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Team
2026 Planning Committee
Stephanie is featured above. The rest of the current planning committee is listed here by festival tenure first, then alphabetically, so it is easier to see who is shaping production, partnerships, communications, guest experience, and the wider community relationships that carry the season.
10 active members
2026 planning team3 years involved
2026 planning team
Glynnis
Community Experience
Community experience
2026 committee3 years involved
Glynnis
Community Experience
Bio
Glynnis supports community-facing experience design, helping guest journeys and partner touchpoints feel welcoming and clear.
“The smallest details are what make guests feel truly welcomed.”
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2026 planning team3 years involved
2026 planning team
Misty
Stage Manager
Stage and performer ops
2026 committee3 years involved
Misty
Stage Manager
Bio
Misty anchors stage management and performer coordination, including Finale readiness and cue flow.
“A confident stage team gives performers room to shine.”
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2026 planning team3 years involved
2026 planning team
Patty
Transportation & Logistics
Transportation and logistics
2026 committee3 years involved
Patty
Transportation & Logistics
Bio
Patty coordinates transportation and logistics so artists, teams, and festival operations stay moving smoothly across the island.
“Good logistics make the guest experience feel effortless.”
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2026 planning team3 years involved
2026 planning team
Rob
Site & Stage Ops
Site operations
2026 committee3 years involved
Rob
Site & Stage Ops
Bio
Rob oversees site and stage operations to keep performances, transitions, and guest flow running cleanly.
“If the audience never notices the ops, we did it right.”
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2026 planning team3 years involved
2026 planning team
Ron
Photography & Video
Media capture
2026 committee3 years involved
Ron
Photography & Video
Bio
Ron captures the festival story through photography and video, preserving moments across artists and audiences.
“The right frame lets people relive the feeling, not just the scene.”
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2026 planning team3 years involved
2026 planning team
Yuki
Logistics
Operations and production
2026 committee3 years involved
Yuki
Logistics
Bio
Yuki leads scheduling and on-site coordination, translating program plans into smooth day-of execution.
“Preparation is what makes the experience feel effortless.”
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2026 planning team2 years involved
2026 planning team
Beau
Marketing
Creative and production
2026 committee2 years involved
Beau
Marketing
Bio
Beau shapes brand, site experience, and production systems that connect public storytelling with admin workflows.
“Design should feel alive and still stay practical for the team.”
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2026 planning team1 year involved
2026 planning team
Al Perez
PR & Communications
PR and communications
2026 committee1 year involved
Al Perez
PR & Communications
Bio
Al leads public relations and communications support for the festival, helping shape outreach, media follow-up, and practical guidance for Stephanie and the broader team.
“Clear communication gives the work a stronger public life.”
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2026 planning team1 year involved
2026 planning team
Jackie
Volunteer Coordinator
Volunteer coordination
2026 committee1 year involved
Jackie
Volunteer Coordinator
Bio
Jackie coordinates volunteer connection for the festival, offering a friendly first point of contact for people who want to help, find a role, and get connected into the season.
“The best volunteer experience starts with a warm first conversation.”
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Sister festival
Partnership with Pistahan Festival
Arts & Humanities Bainbridge partners with San Francisco's Pistahan Parade and Festival to share cultural programming, artist stories, and community exchange across the region. The relationship helps the festival grow through reciprocity, not isolation.
Sister festival
Partnership highlight with Pistahan Festival
AHB year-round activities
Additional programs from Arts & Humanities Bainbridge
The festival is one part of a larger community-building effort. These year-round programs extend artist visibility, cultural learning, and public participation beyond festival month.
Maker + culture series
Creative Thread Festival
Cross-disciplinary maker and culture program connecting artists, design, and neighborhood storytelling.
Creative Thread updates
Annual fundraiser
Ruby Gala | March 12
Annual arts fundraiser supporting year-round AHB creative access programming.
Ruby Gala overview
Regional exchange
Sister festival collaboration
Cross-festival collaboration and artist exchange with Pistahan.
Pistahan spotlight