The Friends of the Yellow Barn was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1994. The Friends of the Yellow Barn’s mission is to support the painting and drawing residency program at Glen Echo Park. In its infancy, the Friends, with its band of committed volunteers, helped create a functioning art studio out of a dilapidated yellow car barn—the warmly and appropriately titled Yellow Barn Studio. The original Board of Directors were Walt Bartman, President, Dick Beers, Vice President, Jane Matz, Treasurer, Michael Shapiro, and Phyllis Lieberman. With their help, the Yellow Barn Studio became a reality.
In a few short years the Yellow Barn Studio earned the reputation for it’s high quality of instruction and affordable art classes for all ages and levels of experience in a supportive atmosphere. The Yellow Barn is more than an art school; it is an inclusive art community.
As a not for profit organization, the original Friends of the Yellow Barn’s mission is to raise money through donations and grants for renovation and programs associated with the art studio, known as the Yellow Barn. The Friends’ philosophy, consistent with the spirit of the late 19th Century Chautauqua movement upon which Glen Echo Park was founded, is that art is universal and thus should be accessible to all. The Friends’ goal is to encourage all area residents of all ages and all means to experience the wonder of the visual arts, through Drawing and Painting.
Today, over 700 members have joined the Yellow Barn Studio. As Friends, they have strongly supported the programs and classes at the Yellow Barn.
As times change, so has the Board of Directors. Our present Board is made up of Walt Bartman; Jim Kettler, President; Patrick Sieg, Secretary/Membership; Patti Hatleberg, Treasurer; and Nancy Arons.
In 2003, the Friends joined the Glen Echo Partnership as the leaseholder of the Yellow Barn Studio. The restoration of Glen Echo Park coincided with the Yellow Barn outgrowing its studio; Friends responded by undertaking a major capital campaign to replace the endearing but lacking (and often cold) studio with the New Yellow Barn, a state-of-the-art studio, more suited for the quality of its instruction and its students’ work.
In order to reach residents with limited resources, Friends supports outreach programs such as its yearly competition and public art exhibition at the Yellow Barn Studio for all Montgomery County high school juniors and seniors. This exhibition honors and encourages young talent while providing the public the opportunity to view and enjoy the work of emerging artists. The exhibition is supported by the generosity of the Friends of the Yellow Barn, area businesses and art lovers. In 2003, through the generosity of Carol Berman, the Friends sponsors a portfolio class for 25 low income high school students to assist them to prepare for the Advanced Placement College Scholastic Aptitude grant funds and to develop quality art portfolios necessary for admission to competitive art schools and colleges. Another community outreach project sponsored by the Friends of the Yellow Barn is a show of paintings by the area’s homeless. This show, in conjunction with Miriam’s Kitchen, helped focus the public’s awareness to the plight of the homeless. To fulfill its mission the Friends, through the generosity of its many devoted donors and sponsors, intends to continue to provide similar education opportunities for young artists as well as a visiting artist and other programs for artists and art lovers of all ages.
If you are interested in becoming a friend / member of the Yellow Barn, please refer to the recent newsletter posted on our website.
Your tax deductible donations will guarantee that the Yellow Barn will be here for future generations of artists. To make a donation, please make your checks payable to the Friends of the Yellow Barn and send them to:
The Yellow Barn Studio
7300 MacArthur Blvd.
Glen Echo, MD 20812