Art Barn announces a new exhibition, "Wintering in Warmth: Teaching and Creating Across Borders", which opened January 19 and will be on display through February 27. All works are from Art Barn's Legacy for Growth Collection, many of which have been in storage for many years or have never before been exhibited. There will be a public reception during our extended hours on Wednesday, February 18, 4:00 to 6:00pm with light refreshments. Regular gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 10:00am to 4:00 pm.
For many decades, our founder, Jan Sullivan, transformed the cold Northwestern Indiana winters into opportunities for artistic growth and community building. Each year, she led immersive travel tours to Mexico, bringing together friends, colleagues, and fellow artists for extended creative retreats under the southern sun.
This exhibition showcases works created during these transformative journeys—paintings and pieces that capture not only the vibrant landscapes and culture of Mexico, but also the spirit of collaboration and learning that defined these trips. Through her commitment to lifelong education and her generous support of other artists, our founder created a traveling community where teaching, creating, and friendship flourished across borders.
Untitled (Church in Mexico) by artist Efren Gonzalez who lives and works in Ajijic, Mexico.
Wintering in Warmth: Teaching and Creating Across Borders celebrates this unique chapter of artistic exploration, revealing how warmth—both literal and communal—fueled creativity and connection during the winter months.
Executive Director, Amy Davis Navardauskas states, "These artworks transport the viewer to a warmer place during these cold days of winter." The exhibit was curated by members of Art Barn's Collections Committee over several months. Navarduaskas continues, "Every year we put a part of our Legacy Collection For Growth on display. This year we wanted to provide a journey to another place during the January and February and to highlight the lifelong learning opportunities that we continue to provide to this day." Nearly all of the works are available for purchase and provide an opportunity to take home a piece of Art Barn history. Plus 100% of all sales benefit Art Barn programming and operations.
Artists represented in this exhibit include: Geraldine E. Classen, Marlies Glickauf, Efren Gonzalez, Hazel Hannell, Virginia Harris, Jan Sullivan, as well as other unknown artists.
Learn more about the exhibit as well as educational art programs and events at https://www.artbarnschool.org.
ABOUT:
Art Barn offers a diverse range of programs, including adult & youth classes, community workshops, and guest artist workshops, fostering creativity, diversity, and connection. Art Barn hosts an annual Juried Art Exhibition in June that recognizes the creation of original quality 2-D works of art, as well as ceramics. The exhibition, with a 30-year history, attracts 400+ entries from aspiring and established artists from the region and nation. The mission of the Art Barn School of Art is to inspire creativity across generations by providing an inclusive, nature-based space where artists of all skill levels can explore, experiment and grow through the arts.