The Bainbridge Island Museum of Art is launching the community phase of a capital campaign today to raise the remaining $1.5 million to complete the building.

The campaign, “The Conversation of Art,” encourages the community to start talking about art.

“Starting the conversation is about engaging the public and getting their feedback in terms of what art means to them in this local community and in the region,” said Greg Robinson, executive director of the museum.

To start the “Conversation,” the public is invited to participate in Chalk Walk, a month long, interactive community project designed to inspire people of all ages to participate in a hands-on art activity.

The celebration kick-off runs until 4:30 p.m. Friday, June 29 with regional chalk artist Gabrielle Abbott, who will draw a large rendering of the new art museum onsite.

Chalk Walk is located on the corner of Winslow Way and Highway 305 in front of the construction site and will continue through July featuring additional guest artists.

The community is invited to join the fun and “make their mark” on the Chalk Walk.

The museum is scheduled to open in summer 2013.

The future art museum will be a prominent community resource for quality arts education and lifelong learning; hosting gallery tours, artist talks, school group visits, panel discussions, videos, printed and digital documentation of art, and hands-on art activities.

Museum officials said they are looking forward to joining with local schools and other arts-interested groups to promote art education for people of all ages, interests, abilities and skill levels.

The art museum will also serve as a cultural campus and collecting institution with exhibits and programs primarily focused on artists from the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas, and Puget Sound region.

“We will add to the rich mix of arts resources,” said Chris Snow, president of the museum’s board.

“The art museum will be a place to discover and explore the diverse, local artistic influences specific to our region,” he added.

The total budget is $15.6 million for the entire capital campaign.

Officials said the first phase of construction of the 20,000-square-foot facility has been completed.

Two classrooms, the auditorium and administrative space opened a year ago and have already served more than 5,500 community members.

The work has now moved to Phase II: building the galleries and public spaces.

When finished, the museum will also include a reception area with a two-story atrium and staircase, four formal galleries, a conference room, community gallery, café, museum store and a green rooftop garden and patio.

Matthew Coates of Coates Design is the architect, and the  Bainbridge Island Museum of Art is the first museum in Washington state to apply for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold status.

Sustainable features will include solar power,geothermal energy, sun louvers, bamboo and wood flooring, denim insulation and green-labeled certified carpets and paints.

“People will really be able to engage with this building and with the art that’s in it,” Coates said. “I think that because of this, it will be one of the places they always go to get refreshed and inspired.”