Specialties
Established in the early 1970s, Art Barn School of Art is a not for profit organization located on 69 acres of beautiful pastoral farmland in Jackson Township. The renovated school is housed in a century old barn, and the farmhouse is artist residence. Each season inspires painters in oil, acrylic, and watercolor, sculptors, photographers, and art lovers from all over the country. Works of local and national artists are on exhibit, and summer workshops are taught by nationally acclaimed professionals. Visit us in September for our annual Art Blitz.
History
Established in 1977.
The history of the Art Barn encompasses the vision of one remarkable individual--Janet Sullivan.
Jan visited The Clearing Folk School in Door County, Wisconsin, where artists stayed and painted in rustic cabins and studios designed by architect Jens Jensen. Jan saw herself and her artist friends as the nucleus of a group that could establish something similar in Northwest Indiana.
By 1977 local legends such as Hazel Hannel, Konrad Juestel, Harriet Rex Smith, David Sanders, and Virginia Phillips had joined her in teaching in the 100 year old restored barn. A friend from the day recalls,"I remember taking classes in the barn and there were bales of hay stacked in the foyer."
In 1984 the Art Barn School of Art, Inc. became a not-for-profit organization, dedicated to fostering a love of art in a unique, rural environment.
Meet the Manager: Sharon A.
Sharon began at the Art Barn in 1998 as an art model and assistant to founder Jan Sullivan, helping host parties and workshops.
In 2014 she began teaching the older children's art classes and annual summer camps.
In 2016 she joined the board and became a resident. Sharon enjoys teaching various classes and camps, and loves introducing the Art Barn to all visitors.
