About the festival
The Asian Arts & Heritage Festival is produced by Arts & Humanities Bainbridge (AHB), a local nonprofit 501(c)(3). We create an island-wide public space for cultural celebration, participation, and connection across Bainbridge Island.
Mission statement
We are an inclusive festival where everyone is welcome to celebrate Asian culture—whether as part of the community or as an ally.
We believe culture is not meant to be observed from a distance, but lived, shared, and experienced together. Through participation, connection, and creativity, we foster a space where all people can engage meaningfully, learn from one another, and celebrate the richness of our diverse communities.
2026 season at a glance
Season
May 2026
A month of signature programs and community-hosted cultural events.
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
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
We center artists, elders, and youth in visible public programs where Asian cultures are celebrated, taught, and experienced together.
Events are designed for elders, youth, and families across Bainbridge Island with pathways that welcome first-time guests and long-time cultural leaders.
Sponsors, volunteers, artists, and partner organizations co-produce each season to expand representation and deepen community connection year over year.
Festival leadership
Founder
The Founder and Visionary
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
She launched the festival as a visible, island-wide platform for Asian stories, artists, and intergenerational participation.
2026 Focus
This season centers on artist partnerships, signature program shaping, and the public-facing pieces that define how the festival feels.
Community Build
Her work brings venues, sponsors, volunteers, and cultural partners into one shared civic experience instead of isolated programming.
Founder's note
“Create a festival where every generation can see itself reflected.”
Team
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.
2026 planning team
Glynnis
Community Experience
Community experience
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.”
Tap card to return
2026 planning team
Misty
Stage Manager
Stage and performer ops
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.”
Tap card to return
2026 planning team
Patty
Transportation & Logistics
Transportation and logistics
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.”
Tap card to return
2026 planning team
Rob
Site & Stage Ops
Site operations
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.”
Tap card to return
2026 planning team
Ron
Photography & Video
Media capture
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.”
Tap card to return
2026 planning team
Yuki
Logistics
Operations and production
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.”
Tap card to return
2026 planning team
Beau
Marketing
Creative and production
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.”
Tap card to return
2026 planning team
Al Perez
PR & Communications
PR and communications
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.”
Tap card to return
2026 planning team
Jackie
Volunteer Coordinator
Volunteer coordination
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.”
Tap card to return
Sister 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
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
Cross-disciplinary maker and culture program connecting artists, design, and neighborhood storytelling.
Creative Thread updates
Annual fundraiser
Annual arts fundraiser supporting year-round AHB creative access programming.
Ruby Gala overview
Regional exchange
Cross-festival collaboration and artist exchange with Pistahan.
Pistahan spotlight
