CURRENT EXHIBITIONS
30th Annual
Juried Art Exhibition
April 13 - May 23, 2024
Reception: Friday, Apr 19, 2024 from 5-8pm
Art Barn is excited to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Juried Art Exhibition. We received 171 artist applications, with 100 out of the 416 submitted pieces being selected, making that a 24% acceptance rate for this year's exhibition.
​
The purpose of this long-standing 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 established and aspiring artists from Northwest Indiana, Chicago suburbs and Southwest Michigan and beyond.
Brian Byrn, Director and curator at the Midwest Museum of American Art will bring an expert curatorial eye to this year’s artwork selection process, and as juror Mr. Byrn will help Art Barn ensure the highest standards and integrity. In 1994 he served as the inaugural juror for Art Barn School of Art’s first Juried Art Exhibition. It is a celebration to have Brian return as juror for the 30th anniversary of this exhibit.
​
Art Barn provides numerous purchase and merit awards for the Juried Art Exhibit, totaling $6,000. ​All proceeds generated from this exhibition, aside from awards, support Art Barn School of Art educational programs and exhibitions.
UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS
More to Come
Duneland Photography Club
May 28 - June 27, 2024
Reception: June 5 from 5-7 PM
Area Artists Association
July 1 - August 1, 2024
Reception: TBD
Butterflies and Beyond Exhibition
August 6 - September 26, 2024
Reception: Friday, August 16, 2024 from 5-8pm
PAST EXHIBITIONS
Opportunity Enterprises Student Exhibition
March 2 - April 5, 2024
Reception: Friday, Mar 8, 2024 from 5-7pm
Art Barn is thrilled to partner with Opportunity Enterprises (OE), well established in the community for providing programs that serve adults with disabilities. The specialized art education program brings OE clients to Art Barn for weekly art education programs.
The culmination of this program is an exhibition featuring student work. The display celebrates student accomplishments and demonstrates how they have used art materials to express their own individual perspectives.
​
All purchases benefit the artists with a portion of the
proceeds benefiting Art Barn School of Arts &
Opportunity Enterprises programming in the community.
TREASURES FROM THE ARCHIVE AT COUNTRY INN & SUITES
Nov 29 - Mar 5
Reception: Thursday, Jan 11 from 4:30-6:30 pm
The exhibition is free to attend and will be on display from November 29, 2023 through March 5, 2024. The public is invited to an opening reception on Thursday, January 11 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm with light bites and refreshments.
“We are thrilled to be included as a collaborator for this exhibition”, states Art Barn Director Amy Davis Navardauskas. “Country Inn and Suites is partnering with key arts organizations to install exhibitions in their gallery year-round. For us it provides an extension of our mission to highlight regional artists and provides greater access to art for new audiences.”
All works are available for purchase and will provide a legacy for growth as we strategically expand our programming and community reach. 100% of all sales benefit Art Barn programs and operations.
STUDENT AND INSTRUCTOR EXHIBITION
Jan 25 - Feb 29, 2024
Reception: Friday, Feb 2, 2024 from 5-7pm
Instructors who taught, and students who participated in, 2023 classes were invited to showcase their art to the Art Barn community. The purpose of this exhibition is three-fold: It provides an opportunity for instructors to share their work with students and the greater community; to provide a platform for students to share their projects and creative efforts; and for Art Barn to shine a light on classes and workshops, while inspiring others to explore our educational offerings.
​
This year's exhibition includes 19 participants with a total of 46 pieces of artwork, including paintings, ceramic/clay and glass work. Exhibiting Instructors: Julia Holmaas, Mindy Milan, Mary Ann Pals, Suzie Rosso, Kim Vander Vinne. Exhibiting Students: Sandy Appleby, Judy Davis, Deborah Dee, Betsy Fleek, Jennie Girton, Rebecca Grochowski, Nick Karris, Fran Kras, Lauren Orchard, Olga Petryszyn, Kajal Puranik, Beth Purdy, Linda Stanley, Mariann Straw, Agnes Turman
HOLIDAY GIFT GALLERY
Nov 8 - Dec 23
Reception: Friday, Nov. 10, 5-7pm
For the season, Art Barn's gallery will overflow with small items perfect for holiday giving. Visitors will find works of fine art and fine craft at price points designed for every budget. Purchases support local artists as well as art educational programs in the community!
This curated exhibit, now in its 6th year, features fine crafts including ceramics, woodworking, fiber arts and jewelry as well as small works including drawing, prints, paintings, mixed media, and photography.
DIVERSIFIED ART VISIONARIES (DAVe) EXHIBITION
September 23 - November 3
Opening Reception: Sunday, October 1, 2-4pm
The group is composed of volunteers who are both artists and art enthusiasts, and their mission is to enrich the community by developing an enthusiastic environment that supports the arts.
​
​Artists include: John Brudek, Barbara Cunningham, Dawn Diamantopoulos, Gretchen Elaine, Carol Estes, Dina Heijselaar, Leslie Lambert, Tony Lipka, Kathy Los-Rathburn, Clinton Mason, Julie Miller, Kerri Mommer, Gary L Price, Jethroe Smith, Penelope Thrasher, Chris Tozer, and Judi Tussey. A large variety of media and techniques are represented in the exhibit including: acrylic, alcohol inks, collage, cyanotype, ink, mixed media/found objects, oil paint, pastel, photography, plaster, pulp painting, and watercolor.
​
TREASURES FROM THE ARCHIVE
Art Barn Legacy for Growth Collection
Aug 12 - Sep 22
Reception: Aug 25, 5-7pm
In the recent past our collection focus has been on works produced by our founder, Janet Sullivan, who was a prolific artist, but who surrounded herself with a community of artists who participated, instructed, exhibited and sold work at Art Barn. “Treasures from the Archive'' is intended to highlight them and their artistic contributions to the community.
​
Board and Collections Committee members John Bernbom and Denise Kirland have curated works by key artists Ruth Bremner, Norman LaLiberte, Tom Lynch, Joanne O'Conner, Harriet Rex Smith, and Janet Smedley.
Additional Artists: Inara Cedris, CA Gallagher, Jean Grasdorf, Ed Rosen, Art Barn founder Janet Sullivan, Valfred Thelin, Jean Uhl Spicer and an unknown artist.
​
Artwork purchases provide a legacy for growth as we strategically expand our programming and community reach.
ARTISTIC LANDSCAPES
Artistry by Mark Vander Vinne
July 5 - Sep 22
Reception: July 16, 2-4pm
Mark Vander Vinne, a Northwest Indiana landscape painter, is primarily influenced by two movements - Tonalism and Impressionism, especially American Impressionism. His style reflects the design and mood of Tonalism, and the gestural brushwork and the color of Impressionism. His love for illustration and abstract art occasionally seeps into his work.
​
Like his many teachers, Mark aims to inspire and share his passion and knowledge of art through his workshops. He has an upcoming workshop in October at the Art Barn. Mark uses a limited palette of oil paints and approaches his paintings and workshops with the same attitude - to have fun, continue learning and growing, and always be passionate and give it his all.
​
Mark graduated from the American Academy of Art in Chicago, IL. He has furthered his education through workshops with master artists Ken Auster, Scott Christensen, Marc Hanson, and Kenn Backhaus. His award-winning paintings have been featured in numerous solo & group exhibitions, plein-air events, and private collections.
VIBRANT COLORS
Artistry by Jean Head
July 5 - Aug 11
Reception: July 16, 2-4pm
Local artist Jean Head has been drawing and painting since she was a young girl. In 1970 she moved to Valparaiso, Indiana, and studied with Harriet Rex Smith, Konrad Juestel, and Dave Sander, and attended workshops at Valparaiso University and the Art Barn.
JIMMY DUKE JOHNSTON MEMORIAL WALL
July 5 - Aug 11
Reception: July 16, 2-4pm
Jimmy Duke Johnstonn was the spirit of Open Studio, the magic maker of art, the calm and present goodness that is the reason so many have loved the Art Barn studio. His critiquing eye and suggestions for improvement will be sorely missed.
Nothing phased him and everything entertained him, especially Janet's shenanigans. He had a permanent twinkle in his eyes and a zest for life. He was a railroad guy who found his passion for art and grew into a collectable artist with works all over the Region. He took paper, repurposed it, and turned it into amazing still life's. Loyal and true, that's Jimmy Duke, who was 100 percent for art and artists.
WATER DANCING
Photographs by Norman Turner
May 22 - June 29
Reception: May 27, 2-4pm
Norman Turner is an award-winning photographer born and raised in Lake Co., IN. When he is not photographing a wedding or taking portraits he can be found taking blue light pictures of his beloved downtown Chicago or leading a group of aspiring photographers in photo excursions throughout the region. Most recently Norman has created a unique series of waterdrop images which are the primary focus of this exhibition.
29th ANNUAL JURIED ART EXHIBITION
April 15 - May 18, 2023
Reception: April 28, 5-8pm
Awards Presentation: 6:30
88 pieces by 85 different artists were selected for inclusion in the 29th annual Juried Art Exhibition. There were 174 applicants from Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, North Dakota, Texas, Utah & Wisconsin who submitted a total of 422 pieces.
The purpose of this long-standing 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.
Our 2023 Juror, artist and professor Aimee Tomasek, brought an expert eye to this year's artwork selection process, and helped Art Barn ensure the highest standards and integrity.
Sponsored By:
Purchase Award Donors: Sandy Appleby, Marc T. Nielsen Interiors and William T. Wilson.
Merit Award Donors: Sandy Appleby, Blick Art Materials, Linda Canfield, Chesterton Women's Club, Cosmopolitan Dentistry, Flanagin's Bulk Mail Service, Patricia Glatz, Glenn L. Firme Assoc. - Art Supplies, Jack Richeson Art Supplies, Julia Holmaas & James May, Larry & Sandy Holt, Charles & Denise Kirkland, Lemon Tree Mediterranean Grill, Leonard Anglis DDS, Marc T. Nielsen Interiors, Debra Nau, SFC Gallery, Ginny Takacs, Third Coast Spice Cafe, United Art & Education, Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce, Vanis Salon & Day Spa - Valpo, and Harold Woodridge & Fran Kras.
OPPORTUNITY ENTERPRISES
STUDENT EXHIBITION
March 7 - April 7, 2023
Reception: Mar 10, 5-7pm
Art Barn is thrilled to partner with Opportunity Enterprises (OE), well established in the community for providing programs that serve adults with disabilities. The specialized art education program brings OE clients to Art Barn for weekly art education programs.
The culmination of this program is an exhibition featuring student work. The display celebrates student accomplishments and demonstrates how they have used art materials to express their own individual perspectives.
​
All purchases benefit the artists with a portion of the
proceeds benefiting Art Barn School of Arts &
Opportunity Enterprises programming in the community.
STREET PHOTOGRAPHY:
IMAGES INSPIRED BY VIVIAN MAIER
January 28 - March 3, 2023
Reception: February 4, 2-4pm
This exhibition is a culmination of photographs taken by the Duneland Photography Club as inspired by the works of Vivian Maier (1926 – 2009), an American street photographer whose work was discovered and recognized after her death. She took more than 150,000 photographs during her lifetime, primarily of the people and architecture of Chicago and elsewhere. Maier's photographs, some of which were found in a Chicago storage locker, received international attention and her work appeared in exhibitions, books, and documentary films. Meier’s work inspired Duneland photographers to capture the depth and significance of our Region.
​
For more information on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/dunelandphotoclub/