Bremerton’s history reads like a James Michener novel. The never-ending saga of rouges, riches and intrigue dance ever buoyantly through generations of story telling. After years in the making Fredi Perry’s history on Bremerton hit the shelves, and it reads like science fiction. When it comes to Bremerton I’ve said many times, “Ya just can’t make up this sort of thing.”

Where else would President Truman be standing on a second floor terrace across from Bill Gates’ grandfather’s furniture store, while thousands jam pack the streets and a man yells, “Give ‘em hell Harry!”, and that phrase is world recognized today?

Then ten years ago in the midst of Bremerton’s decline Money Magazine elects Bremerton the nation’s most livable city. Go figure that one. I had opened my gallery at the time, the town was approaching ghost status, and the air reeked of lingering wet plasterboard that over flowed the giant dumpsters from the Bremer Trust’s remodeling projects. The ferry was (and I think still is) the number one tourist attraction, so I would greet tourists on a daily basis. “Most livable city?” they questioned while looking me square in the eye. I’d just smile, shrug my shoulders, look off to the sky and mumble something about the pretty mountain view.

It doesn’t take a neurosurgeon rocket scientist to figure out Bremerton is at least colorful quirky in its strange own way. The turn of the century didn’t see art galleries and symphony halls. The culture stuff was left to Seattle. Bremerton was to busy trying to keep control of brawling bars and shoreline whore houses in the midst of Renton and Bremer’s land dealings and town street configuring.

There ain’t nary a mention of an art gallery in the new Bremerton history book. But there have been a lot of movie theaters, the first in 1909. It was probably surrounding areas that embraced art the most, particularly after the late fifties. Port Orchard was recognizing the small shop appeal, and later the Sidney Art Museum was established. Poulsbo seemed to be going in that same direction. Art awareness was a national pastime as the controversial modern movements affected our lifestyles from furniture to advertising.

My recall of Bremerton art begins with antique dealer Dennis Housen, who exhibited contemporary art in a Pacific Avenue shop around the end of the sixties or beginning of the seventies. He soon directed his sole attention to antiques. In the eighties Brad Buskirk opened a frame shop and gallery just across the Manette Bridge. Artist Edge occupies the space now. At the same time there was a small hole in the wall gallery at the south end of Pacific Avenue. When I met the owner in 1990 she was getting ready to close up. At the same time a fellow named Glenn opened an art gallery off Washington Avenue close to the ferry terminal. He said the town’s controlling business factors discouraged his art efforts.

In a continuing saga, as colorful as those I preceded, I began my own art business dealings in the city of Bremerton. May 1, 1991 the Amy Burnett Gallery opened its doors for business, and so history continues.

(Editor’s Note: Amy Burnett is the owner of the Amy Burnett Gallery in downtown Bremerton and a noted Northwest artist. She may be reached at (360) 373-3187.).