On display January-April 2026, Executive Order 9066 features the artistic work of Chris Demarest. Inspired by history, Chris presents a visual interpretation of life in World War II for Japanese Americans at home and on the front lines.

Chris Demarest’s Bainbridge Island journey began, in many ways, six decades ago. Growing up in New England, sometime in his pre-adolescence, his mother mentioned her life in Los Angeles before the start of World War II telling him about the sudden round-up of her Japanese American neighbors, her friends practically disappearing overnight. He remembers feeling such injustice, such anger that it imbedded itself into his psyche.

In 2011, he began a project of painting a tribute to those Americans who took part in World War II (both military and civilian), setting up his easel at the Women’s Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery to work in public. His goal, besides the portraits (all done from period photographs), was to listen to stories that the public offered up. Sometimes stories were revealed for the first time since the end of that war, bringing closure to many as a result.

Taking the project on the road, he went on to paint at the Palm Springs Air Museum in California. During his first season, recalling his mother’s story and being close to Los Angeles, he began researching and painting images of Japanese Americans. He was inspired to visit the Japanese American Museum in Los Angeles and Manzanar National Park. It was walking the sandy and windy grounds of Manzanar, realizing the resourcefulness of these people to transform such a barren landscape that compelled him to dive deeper into this history.

Learning about Bainbridge Island’s unique story, he reached out to the Bainbridge Public Library about doing a residency at the library. In the fall of 2016, he set up his easel and for the next three months began painting and collecting more stories. He also painted the iconic tag at the Bainbridge History Museum - once again showcasing his talent while painting publicly in the Museum.

Inspired by history, Chris’s work highlights the value of local stories to artists and community members alike. The Bainbridge History Museum is glad to welcome him back and highlight the ways that history touches us all.