Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network (BARN) – Connecting Artists Across the Kitsap Peninsula of Washington
Founded in 2012 on Bainbridge Island as a nonprofit organization with a mission “to grow and inspire a creative community through craft, learning, and service”, the Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network (BARN) has served as a vital resource for hundreds of artists across Washington’s Kitsap Peninsula and beyond since it opened its doors in 2017. With 10 studios and gathering spaces spread across 25,000 square feet, it is one of the largest art centers of its kind in the Pacific Northwest.
At 1,000 square feet, the Glass Arts Studio is one of original studios and one of its most active, offering fused, stained, mosaic, and torchwork classes; mentoring, equipment, and material to local artists. The Studio features three kilns, including a vitrigraph kiln, a full wet room with equipment, a wide range of glass working tools, and a stock of Northwest Art Glass for purchase on-site.
One of the unique aspects of BARN is that all of the studios are governed by volunteers, who meet to develop programming and serve as studio monitors and instructors. This creates a strong sense of community and mutual respect and support. According to Glass Lead Cynthia Jacobs, “Many people who have studios and kilns at home still come to BARN. They love the community they find here. People become friends.”
Being an artist can be isolating, and BARN offers opportunities for sharing ideas and inspiration, learning new skills, and even showing and selling work, through their quarterly exhibitions and the bi-annual BARN Bazaar in May and November. The Glass Arts Studio also organizes a quarterly social gathering for members, often featuring an artist or topic of interest in the glass world. Last fall, Portland glass artist Nathan Sandberg was in residence at BARN, offering classes and inspiration. Thanks to the multiple studios, glass artists also have the opportunity to collaborate with artists working in other disciplines as well, such as wood, fiber, or metal.
But BARN isn’t just for existing artists. Open to the community, BARN offers a wide variety of classes for adults and teens, offering financial assistance and other efforts to ensure accessibility. Summer Teen classes such as stained glass are extremely popular, providing an introduction to the medium to the next generation of glass artists.
If you live near Bainbridge Island, take a free tour of BARN on Wednesdays or Sundays, or sign up for Open Studio time or one of their many classes. (There is a free Orientation required before you can register for Open Studio). They are also always looking for volunteers as studio monitors or instructors. BARN’s Glass Studio will also participate this year in REFRACT on October 19, offering demonstrations, an exhibit of BARN member glass art, and a community project. Click here for more information about how to be part of the BARN exhibition during REFRACT.