Each year, since 1999, Bainbridge Island, WA celebrates National Poetry Month by collecting submissions from local poets. A panel of anonymous local poets jury the submissions. Selected entries are both posted in the windows of participating downtown shops throughout the month of April, concluding with a public reading by all the poets, along with the publishing of this anthology. Poetry Corners provides an opportunity to showcase local poets' incredible talent and immerse our community in the power of poetry.

Living Voices combines theatre and archival film in "Within the Silence" which brings life to history through the eyes of a teenage girl of Japanese descent. Understand the impact of Executive Order 9066, which led to the imprisonment thousands of innocent Japanese Americans during World War II. Emiko is an ordinary American teenager whose life is changed forever after Japan bombs Pearl Harbor. Emiko and every member of her family are forced to find a way to prove their loyalty to a country that sees them as “the face of the enemy.”

Since 1999, Bainbridge Island celebrates National Poetry Month annually by collecting submissions from local poets. After a jurying process, selected entries posted in the windows of participating downtown shops throughout the month of April. The month concludes with a lively public reading at BIMA featuring all the poets as well as the publishing of an anthology to commemorate the year's works. Poetry Corners showcases the incredible talent or our local poets and immerses our community in the power of poetry.

Papercut artist, author & illustrator Nikki McClure will take us on a journey through the natural world, the Salish Sea, her travels in Japan, and concepts of time and place, among other topics, both in conversation with Jenna d’Anna, Senior Manager of Museum Education & Community Engagement, and in a live spoken word performance. Nikki’s numerous books will be available in the Museum Store and she will do a book signing during the reception that follows this presentation.