WHO WE ARE

Here at Art Barn School of Art, we are a team made up of dedicated individuals who share the mission to bring quality art programs to our community and enrich their lives. We are made up of a committed board of directors, many of whom have been with Art Barn since its founding, devoted staff members and instructors, and many other faithful volunteers who have helped make Art Barn what it is today.

MEET THE TEAM

AMY DAVIS NAVARDAUSKAS

Executive Director

Amy is an established artist in Northwest Indiana and previously served on the leadership team of Lubeznik Center for the Arts in Michigan City, where she served as the marketing director for 10 years. She brings nearly 15 years of marketing and fundraising experience to the role.

Board President Julia Holmaas states, “During this time of growth and transformation, there is no better person to lead the Art Barn than Amy. She is a proven leader with the skills and vision to continue Art Barn’s 40-year history of providing art education and promoting the arts in the Region.”

JENNIFER DIAZ

Program Manager

Jennifer has a passion for education and the arts. She has spent the last decade working with various art and education organizations. Jennifer received her Master's in Fine Art in 2013 and Bachelor's in Fine Art in 2011 from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She has her own studio practice that includes abstract and representational printworks, sculptures, drawings, paintings, and digital works.

Jennifer believes that art is a skill that can be therapeutic in tumultuous times, a form of communication when words fail, a kinesthetic experience when connections can't be tangible, and a coping mechanism in a time of healing. Beyond making beautiful things, art-making is a vehicle that connects a community across social, political, racial, developmental, and economic barriers. She recently relocated from Chicago, IL to Portage, IN with her husband Karl and her two dogs Fafnir and Sigurd.

LIZ MARLER

Office Manager

Liz is a native of suburban Chicago and relocated to Northwest Indiana 6 years ago. Her studies include an emphasis in Psychology from UCCS in Colorado Springs, Colorado and an Associates Degree in Veterinary Technology from Fox College in Tinley Park, Illinois.
After her career in the veterinary field as a Vet Tech she started in the office management area and most recently spent a little over 3 years as the Executive Assistant for the Mayor of Michigan City. In her free time she is an avid reader, and loves being outdoors hiking, fishing, or spending time with her three dogs Remy, Ranger and Bear at the beach. Liz resides in Chesterton with her husband and daughter.

Kristen Ader

Office Assistant

Kristen is from Northwest Indiana and attended Indiana University in Bloomington IN with a degree in Communications and a minor in Business. She worked in the advertising industry at OMD Chicago for 6 years in the media strategy and digital ad operations department. After being involved in her son’s early education she began working with a program called “Ready Set Kindergarten” as well as a secretary at their school. She is married to her husband Chris, has 2 sons, 3 dogs, 2 birds and salt water fish. In her free time she loves to walk her dogs, do puzzles and spend time with family and friends.