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: Meet the Team

Meet the Team: Who We Are

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.”

MELISSA WASHBURN

Program Director

Melissa Washburn is an artist/illustrator/graphic designer based just outside Chicago in Northwest Indiana. She grew up in upstate New York, but has lived in the Midwest since 1996. She creates expressive illustrations in both digital and traditional media, endlessly inspired by things that run, fly, and grow.

An avid hiker and birder, in 2019 she earned her Indiana Master Naturalist certification through Gabis Arboretum and the Indiana DNR and now serves on the Marketing and Communications committee of the Shirley Heinze Land Trust.

LIZ MARLER

Operations 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 two dogs Ranger and Bear at the beach. Liz resides in Chesterton with her husband and step daughter.

AGIA AMEZCUA-BONE

Marketing Manager

Agia is a recent Indiana University graduate who majored in Media Advertising and minored in Studio Art and is passionate about story telling through various visual mediums. At Indiana University, she has maintained a focus in Graphic Design, Marketing, and Creative Advertising throughout her time interning and studying abroad.

Agia is passionate about the power that art has on communities and is looking forward to expanding upon that through Marketing at the Art Barn School of Art. In her free time she enjoys photography, travel, journaling, and spending time with her cat!

AMY SOLMOS

Fundraising & Development Manager

Amy Solmos is a native of Northwest Indiana. She was born in Valparaiso, Indiana and received her undergraduate degree from Purdue University in West Lafayette and received her Master’s degree in 2015 from Valparaiso University. She has past experience with fundraising, non-profit organizations, and volunteering.

She is an artist as well and in her free time, she loves drawing and painting. She also enjoys gardening and spending time with her family and dogs.