It can be real easy to not think about the subject of race relations in America if you live on Bainbridge Island.

A great place to live? Yes. Diverse? Not really.

Actually, not even close.

Census data tells us that Bainbridge Island is more than 90 percent Caucasian — and even that figure might be generously diverse. Bainbridge Islanders tend to be informed, knowledgeable and active with regard to social and cultural issues: gun violence, police militarization, climate change, big money in politics, etc. But, for the most part, that’s all stuff that happens in other places. Bainbridge itself is comparatively picturesque, a suburban oasis in tumultuous times, a Mayberryesque Nirvana.

And that, according to local social and artistic activist Marsha Cutting, is the problem. Bainbridge needs to care less with its head and more with its heart, she said.

To that end, Cutting’s organizing an Arts Against Racism festival from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17 in Town Square in downtown Winslow (the site of the farmers market) to foster a more emotionally and conscious-driven conversation about prejudice.

Cutting said she was inspired by an online post by another concerned islander following the recent slaying of yet another unarmed black man by police.

“He basically posted, inviting people to think about what they could do to combat racism,” she said.

“People posted ideas for some things they could do, I think I did, too. And then it struck me: I’ve been to so many protests and signed so many petitions and it’s kind of all ‘head’ stuff. And it seemed to me we needed some kind of ‘heart’ thing as well,” Cutting explained.

Thus she and co-coordinator Joaquin Gurza began to organize the Arts Against Racism festival, an event intended to fuel a local commitment to fighting racism and share anti-racist resources.

The festival will feature musicians, poets and storytellers sharing songs, poems or stories specifically focused on opposing racism, as well as displays of anti-racist art.

The show is divided into two specific periods: family-focused time, from 5 to 6 p.m., and then more serious, adult-focused time from 7 to 9 p.m., in an attempt to foster different kinds of conversation.

“I just like the idea of including children as well as adults,” Cutting said. “It’s good for them to have a voice.”

Anyone is welcome to contribute or perform. Those who would like to take part are asked to arrive at 5 p.m. for the family time and at 6:45 p.m. for the adult time. Names will be drawn to determine the order in which people will appear.

The plan is for each performer to present one or two songs, poems or stories, though there may be time for more pieces by each artist.

Visual artists who wish to exhibit are asked to bring their work at 4 p.m., with an easel or other means of display. Some easels will be available for those without, and there will be canopies in case of bad weather.

Two young artists already slated to participate are Amare, 10, and Aiyanna Clark, 9. The two siblings have each chipped in a drawing and a short statement for the show expressing their views on racial equality.

“Whatever race you are you should be treated equally,” Amare wrote in an artist statement. “With respect, love, and kindness.”

In a piece titled “I hope no one ever calls me this,” Aiyanna recalls discovering some racist comments online and being very upset about it.

“That made me super mad,” she wrote. “So, please don’t call anyone that because they are just being themselves.”

Contributing artist Michael Pontieri, whose painting “Three Cousins at Night” will be on display, said his inspiration was also reality-based.

“My nephew is a budding photographer and he had some ideas about setting up the tripod in the middle of the street in the middle of the night in Spokane, though he had some qualms about how the police might react to a young black man doing that,” he said. “At any rate, such thoughts were ruminating in my head while I painted this.”

That Bainbridge Island is so predominantly Caucasian makes race relation discussions and events like the festival even more important for island youths, both white and not, Cutting said, as isolation is never good for anybody.

“I think in some sense that’s part of the problem,” she said. “They just don’t have a lot of other kids of color to compare their experiences with and hang out with.

“What I’m hoping is that the process of thinking about, ‘What can I contribute?’, to something like this urges people to engage with the subject of racism on a different level, in a different kind of  way than showing up at a protest,” Cutting added. “I think we need both.”

Those interested in contributing can contact Cutting with questions about the show via email at mcutting@gmail.com.

Seeing is believing

What: An artistic festival and outdoor exhibition intended to fuel a commitment to fighting racism and sharing information regarding anti-discrimination resources.

When: From 5 to 6 p.m. (family focused time) and 7 to 9 p.m. (adult time) Saturday, Sept. 17.

Where: Town Square in downtown Winslow (the site of the weekly farmers market).