The Art Barn School of Art announces our 27th Annual Juried Art Exhibition from May 15 through July 8, 2021. We are proud to continue the longstanding tradition of our late founder Jan Sullivan. The purpose of the exhibition is to promote the creation and recognition of original quality 2-dimensional works of art, as well as ceramic arts. The exhibition attracts entries from aspiring and established artists from Northwest Indiana, Chicago suburbs and Southwest Michigan and beyond. We welcome photography and ceramic submissions for the first time this year. In order to minimize contact and keep our community safe the application process has been moved online.
pictured above: "Masked" by Carleen Rivera | 2019 Best in Show
2021 Juror Randall Roberts of the Midwest Museum of American Art will bring an expert eye to this year’s jury process, and will help Art Barn insure the highest standards and integrity in the jury process.
Art Barn provides numerous purchase and merit awards totaling $2,000. We wish to thank the many individuals and businesses who sponsor or contribute to these cash awards. Their generosity directly supports working artists, such as yourself. All proceeds generated from this exhibition, aside from awards, support Art Barn School of Art educational programs and exhibitions.
Art Barn consigned 46 pieces of our legacy collection for auction with Susanin’s. The Home Decor Auction #248 was held in January and is now over: upcoming Fine Art Auction #251 contains the 7 remaining pieces which are considered to have the highest values.
The 2nd and final auction will take place on Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 10:00 AM. Purchases of artwork from these auctions will provide a legacy for growth for the Art Barn.
The remaining pieces consigned for this auction represent years of friendship between Jan Sullivan and other artists. They are works bought by Jan to support visiting artists giving classes or workshops at the Art Barn or to encourage emerging artists. Friends Ann Templeton and Norman LaLiberte conducted workshops or classes at the Art Barn. Artists such as Charles Vickery (above) became familiar to Jan Sullivan when they attended classes or entered exhibitions.
While bidders may view and place absentee bids through Susanin’s, Live Auctioneers is the platform to be used if a bidder would like to bid in real time on the day of the auction. Register with liveauctioneers in order to follow the auction and to bid. Make sure to register ahead of the auction so you are all set and ready to go day-of.
Art Barn’s sizable collection serves us as an investment strategy by our founder. Purchases of artwork from these auctions will provide a legacy for growth as we strategically expand our programming and community reach.
Guest Artist Workshops
Intensive workshops give artists the chance to learn a new skill or enhance their practice. While creating one can easily immerse themselves in endless sources of inspiration. Our guest artists are all skilled in their craft and teaching skills. Come and create together and enjoy an artist's retreat!
Abstracting Nature II: Let’s Get Starting Finishing with Pat Dews (Virtual)
March 25-27, 1-4pm CDT
$250/person
Starts are fun, finishes more difficult. In this follow up virtual workshop, students will focus on finishing paintings and design. Learn with Pat, as she discusses the possibilities for each of her many starts. Watch her totally change a painting using acrylic paints, add more inks or water colors to a start or end up cropping. Leave with renewed vigor and ways to finish your starts.
Papermaking: In the Field with Andrea Peterson
May 21-23, Fri. 2-4pm, Sat & Sun 9am-3pm CDT
$265/person
Join us for this 3-day papermaking adventure of creating paper from plants that surround you. From farming by-product to locally wild gathered plants, understand the process of turning plant cellulose into fine sheets of paper. Participate in a community field hike around Art Barn on Friday 2-4pm where we will identify and harvest plant species and follow-up with processing plant material on Saturday and making sheets of paper on Sunday. Ages 18+
This project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.
Virtual Watercolor with Julia Holmaas
Session 3: Mar 29- Apr 19
$99/4 weeks
Paint together and learn how to paint bold vivid watercolors with guidance from Julia Holmaas. Advanced beginners as well as advanced students will paint together in the safety of their own homes. The class will take a tutorial approach, each week concepts will be reviewed, the basics of color mixing, wet and dry techniques, elements of design and composition will be addressed.
Open Studios
Tuesdays & Fridays* 1:00 – 4:00pm
Ongoing
$5.00/day
Enjoy the company of other artists as you create in a self-guided peaceful environment. Bring your own supplies and lunch. Indoor still life subjects available, or bring your own. Plein air vistas are spectacular in all seasons. Ages 18 and older.
Creativity Lab
Saturdays, 10 am-noon
April 3-17
$55/3 weeks or $20 Drop-in
Children ages 5-9 will learn basic skills using a variety of media with instructor Alice Dickey. This class focuses on seeing and finding joy in artistic expression. Each class will explore a different theme. The session one themes are Unicorns & Dragons, Clovers & Charms, and Grumpy Cats & Glitter. Techniques will include drawing, painting, mixed-media collage, and more. Children will learn to discover and accept their own style while staying curious and learning new forms of media. All supplies included.
Advanced Drawing with Sarah Fantuzzo
Fridays, 4:30-6:30pm
Apr 2-May 21
$120/8wk session
Students ages 15-18 will work on a variety of drawing problems to further their understanding of the visual language of both abstract design and representational drawing. Gestural studies, artistic anatomy lessons, master copies, and inventive still life set ups will provide the source material for learning. Students looking to hone their skills and further develop their creative process will benefit as well as those putting together a portfolio for college admissions. All supplies included.
Ceramics for Kids
Saturdays, 10 am-noon
Apr 3-May 8
$179/6wk session
Younger children (ages 5-9) will learn the basic techniques of hand-building with clay, including pinch pot, coil, and slab construction methods in a fun and caring environment. Instructor Betsy Barger will guide students to complete glaze-fired masterpieces. No experience with clay necessary. Come prepared to get dirty hands and have fun!
Youth Ceramics
Saturdays, 1-3pm
Apr 3-May 8 $179/6wk session
Burgeoning teens (ages 10-13) will learn the basic techniques of hand-building with clay, including pinch pot, coil, and slab construction methods in a fun and caring environment. Instructor Betsy Barger will guide students to complete glaze-fired masterpieces. No experience with clay necessary. Come prepared to get dirty hands and have fun!
Intermediate/Advanced Pastels Via Zoom
Thursdays, 6:30 - 8pm
Apr 8-29
$80/4wk session
Join Mary Ann via Zoom as she demonstrates detailed pastel techniques while developing her own artwork from her home studio week by week, and also receive formal written and verbal critiques of individual pastel projects. Students can choose their own projects or ones provided by Mary Ann. During the first class, help will be given to each student in choosing a reference photo that has a sound composition, attractive light/dark contrast, and color harmonies. Students will then work at their own pace outside of class and email their progress pictures to Mary Ann each week for a formal critique during each subsequent class session.
Painting with Pastels
Wednesdays, 6:30 - 8:30pm
Beginner: April 21-May19
$80/5wk session
Intermediate/Adv: May 5-19
$50/3wk session
Students will be guided step by step through the process of painting with soft pastels with experienced artist and instructor Mary Ann Pals. A 5-week series, designed for those new to the process, will provide a couple weeks of instruction before intermediate and advanced students join the class on week 3. Students will be provided with a supply list after the first class. Ages 18 and older.
Cell Phone Photography Workshop
April 15, 10am-1pm
$35/person
Everyone's a photographer! Many are using their cell phones as their primary camera. Participants will learn cell phone camera settings as well as basic composition and lighting techniques that will help boost creativity. Even if you're not on social media, instructor Deb Armstrong will provide a few tips and techniques that will turn your snapshots into wonderful images that you will want to share. Bring your phone! Ages 18+
Registration is limited in order to keep our students safe and healthy.
Art Barn takes everyone's health and safety seriously and we have measures in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 which include extra cleaning/disinfecting procedures, screening, social distancing and face covering requirements. We are committed to providing a safe environment for our students, visitors, volunteers and staff. View Safety Measures
Families encouraged to apply for scholarships (students age 5-18)