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 & Marketing 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 Burns Harbor with her husband and daughter.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
JULIA HOLMAAS
President
JOHN BERNBOM
Vice President
Treasurer
ANGELA G. GROTHAUS
DENISE KIRKLAND
Secretary
SUSAN M. ARNOLD
Board Member
Board Member
CHARLES KIRKLAND
SANDY APPLEBY
Board Member
JAMES MAY
Board Member
JOE MERRION
Board Member
SAMANTHA SCHILLA
Board Member
DINA HEIJSELAAR
Board Member
BRIANA PETTY OLIVARES
Board Member
HAROLD WOODRIDGE
Board Member
INSTRUCTORS

DEB ARMSTRONG
Intro to Photography, Cellphone Photography Workshop, Nature Walk Photography Workshop

BETSY BARGER
Ceramics for Kids, Ceramics for Teens

LEE BAUMAN
Silk Dyeing Workshops, Golden Years Art Club, Art in the Park

CHRIS HARTZ
Creativity Lab, Open Clay Studio

JULIA HOLMAAS
Monday Night Watercolor, Virtual Review

MINDY MILAN
Architecture Camp, Glass Workshops

MARY ANN PALS
Painting with Pastels, Virtual Pastels

SUZIE K. ROSSO
Independent Study, Figure Drawing
MELINA STOCK
Plush Camp, Piñata Camp
Illustration for Youth

JESSICA THOME
Drawing for Youth, Family Workshops
KIM VANDER VINNE
Watercolor Basics

HAROLD WOODRIDGE
Adult Ceramics
ART BARN FARM FRIENDS

BUNNY
Mini Horse

MOSES
Mini Donkey

BROWNIE
Goat