ambassador of the arts
Inez Maubane Jones brings global perspective to her community
Interview by Alorie Gilbert
Photo: Joy McCallister
As Executive Director of the nonproft Arts & Humanities Bainbridge, Inez Maubane Jones is a sort of ambassador of arts for our region and advocate for the cultural well-being of the community. With her experience and background, she’s well-suited to the job. Maubane Jones has lived in South Africa, Hong Kong and six states across the U.S., from Alaska to Pennsylvania. She speaks five languages. On her resume: TV actress and presenter, public speaker, radio announcer, entrepreneur, journalist, book editor, children’s book author, and music and movement instructor. Oh, and she’s a mother of two teens, whom she’s raising on Bainbridge Island.
The best part of my job is: working with creatives. I am fueled by the intellect, professionalism, passion and artistry of people in this field. They all bring diverse viewpoints and lived experiences that simply inspire me.
What people may not know about Arts & Humanities Bainbridge is: AHB helped to reinstate cultural funding for the arts and humanities nonprofit sector on Bainbridge following deep cuts in city spending during the 2008 housing crisis. By 2010, city spending in the sector fell to zero. In 2018, AHB led the effort to restore public funding, and the city earmarked $300,000 over two years with the strong support of council members Wayne Roth, Michael Scott, and Roger Townsend.
The last great performance I saw was: “Reposado” at the Bridge Festival on Sept. 10 at Waterfront Park (along with ALL the incredible acts!). They blew me away. I heard Cuban, funk, jazz, Fela Kuti (Nigerian musician, composer, activist) and soul. They call themselves “creative warriors,” whose purpose is not just to play music but use it as a weapon against fear and isolation.
What I learned from my acting career was: preparedness. To be professional on set and show up with your A game you had to be thoroughly prepared. Nail your lines because it allows you and those you’re working with to elevate their game and explore uncharted waters that make a scene magical.
My dream as a writer and journalist is: to tell stories that uplift thought. The core of what motivates me is healing. Yes, address what’s going on but what moves the needle? One of my favorite lines from the musical, Hamilton is: “Who lives, who dies, who tells your story?” That narrative is your own walk.
I’m about to read: Winning by Tim S. Grover. I loved his other work, Relentless, so this should be great.
I was born in: Pretoria, South Africa during apartheid and became a U.S. citizen in 2009.
Of all the places I’ve lived, I remain fascinated by: Hong Kong. Its past, its present, its future. Especially its future.
What drew me to the Pacific Northwest was: it smelled like Christmas. Really. I had been living in a country with a lot of pollution, and when I first set foot in this region, especially the island, I thought, "it smells like Christmas!" Trees, everywhere. I also love the four seasons. You can be out in nature all year around, and that is such a privilege.
I keep my spirits up in the winter by: kickboxing with Castor Fitness! It lifts my spirit, my mind and tests me physically.
Raising kids on Bainbridge Island is: a joy. They are actualized in a way that gives them confidence and security. We often think the safety of Bainbridge Island is confining. I believe it provides a foundation for discovery, investigation, making mistakes and feeling supported.
When I miss South Africa: I listen to TkZee, a South African kwaito group (a music genre that emerged in Soweto, Johannesburg during the ‘90s that’s a variant of house music using African sounds). Their music encapsulates the spirit of the country. My fondest memory of them is when they performed at the 2010 FIFA World Cup soccer closing ceremony. Archbishop Desmond Tutu got up and started dancing to “Phalafala,” one of their classic songs! That spoke to any South African—TKZee makes us groove! / Alorie Gilbert
