Art Barn School of Art is excited to announce it's new regional art exhibition titled "Vanishing Point", on display from September 30-October 30, 2025. Centered around the unique biodiversity of Indiana, this exhibition is dedicated to raising awareness about the endangered and threatened native species that call our corner of the world home. An artists' reception to celebrate the exhibit will be held at Art Barn on Friday, October 3 from 5-7pm. A special artist panel discussion to give community members the opportunity to learn more about, and discuss, the exhibiting artist's inspiration, process, and connection to the natural world will be held at Art Barn on Sunday, October 26 from 1-3pm. All programming for this exhibit are free to attend and all ages are welcome.
Art Barn provides an inclusive, nature-based space where artists of all skill levels can explore, experiment and grow. "Vanishing Point" features the work of local and regional artists who use their creative voices to bring attention to the animals, plants, and habitats most at risk in our shared environment. Viewers will discover educational resources and conservation partnerships as they journey through this exhibit, inspiring engagement and advocacy for endangered species.
Photo: Deana Bada Maloney, Ceramic & Found Object
The Artists and Their Work
Deana Bada Maloney
Deana Bada Maloney creates hand sculpted and painted sculptures that serve as a commentary on humanity's excessive consumption and its impact on the natural world. Her work, which she calls "The Nature We Create," uses local animals and found objects to tell a story about the potential extinction of these creatures due to the unaddressed issue of pollution. With a background in drawing and scientific illustration from the Art Institute of Chicago, she creates 3D sculptures using a unique ceramic firing technique to emulate the detail of her intricate drawings, reflecting her artistic roots and deep observation of nature.
Lindsay Sandbothe
Lindsay Sandbothe is a Highland, IN based nature artist who specializes in bird and animal portraiture. Her work, which she creates based off of her own photographed references, depicts each species she paints with accuracy and emotion, creating a visual record that honors and helps preserve the wonder of the natural world. With BFAs in Art Education and Art History, Sandbothe balances her artistic practice with teaching workshops and creating commissioned work.
Christine Hubbell
Christine Hubbell's colored pencil and mixed media illustrations reflect the resilience of birds and the hopefulness that they symbolize. As a trained botanical and scientific illustrator from Denver Botanic Gardens, she uses her art to reflect a hopeful belief that birds can persist despite the destruction of their ecosystems. Her work aims to draw attention to the risks posed by environmental changes while advocating for the protection and restoration of ecosystems crucial for avian survival. An avid birder and naturalist, Hubbell's art has been featured in juried exhibitions across the nation.
Kristina Knowski
Kristina Knowski is an avian artist and illustrator using watercolor to paint exisiting, endangered, and extinct birds. Her work is inspired by specific encounters she has had in the field as an avid birder and aims to capture the experience of seeing these rare birds in her artwork. These paintings, which she creates with the aid of field research, found specimens, and museum skins, maintain the primary focus of bird species that are endangered to the state of Indiana. Kristina has created exhibitions centered on themes of extinction and is a dedicated supporter of conservation organizations like Indiana Audubon.
The works created by these four artists tells a story of human environmental impact, resilience, hope, and preservation. By focusing on the species native to our own region, “Vanishing Point” fosters a deeper connection between community and environment, turning distant environmental concerns into something immediate, personal, and tangible. Together, these artists tell a compelling story that moves from confrontation to appreciation, and from hope to action, ultimately providing a powerful tribute to the species that depend on our stewardship.
This exhibition series and related programs are supported in part by Cleveland Cliffs Foundation.
ABOUT:
Art Barn offers a diverse range of programs, including adult & youth classes, community workshops, and guest artist workshops, fostering creativity, diversity, and connection. Art Barn hosts an annual Juried Art Exhibition in June that recognizes the creation of original quality 2-D works of art, as well as ceramics. The exhibition, with a 30-year history, attracts 400+ entries from aspiring and established artists from the region and nation. The mission of the Art Barn School of Art is to inspire creativity across generations by providing an inclusive, nature-based space where artists of all skill levels can explore, experiment and grow through the arts.