The Yellow Barn Studio & Gallery
7300 MacArthur Blvd
Glen Echo, Maryland 20812
Join us at The Yellow Barn Studio, a creative oasis in Glen Echo Park, where community and artistic guidance converge in our nationally-recognized artists’ programs. Founded by acclaimed artist Walter Bartman, The Yellow Barn Studio is a haven for budding artists and experienced painters alike. We offer classes in watercolor, oil, acrylic, drawing, and printmaking, with a special emphasis on plein air painting.
The Yellow Barn Studio has gone virtual
Spring Term 2021
Classes are currently enrolling for April 2021
Students who would like to take classes at the Yellow Barn Studio can now work with their instructors online. Continue working with your favorite teacher or take a class you’ve always wanted to try it will now be online. Students who are challenged, don’t worry, we will have support staff available to help you learn to use our user-friendly platform on your computer.
We guarantee that you will be satisfied or we will give you a refund. Students who live out of the area can now study with our distinguished faculty.
Spring classes are enrolling as of February 2. All classes will be virtual until further notice.
Online Registration for Spring 2021 Classes
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
• Online Registration will open at 12pm February 2.
• Registration for Spring 2021 Classes will be totally online; no walk-in services will be available
• There will not be a printed Glen Echo Park Catalog; all classes and workshops will be available for online viewing through a digital catalog. https://glenechopark.org/classes
• The Spring Catalog will cover classes starting in April-May, 2021
Click on this link to read more about our online curriculum due to the Coronavirus.
Learn how we’re teaching online using Zoom
How to use Zoom
Here’s an example of how we teach art using Zoom
Our online virtual classes are popular. We have seventy-five classes and workshops for you to choose from. If you are looking to enroll in an art class you can register online here
Our spring term is virtual on Zoom, so it doesn’t matter where you live, you can now take a class at the Yellow Barn Studio. Yellow Barn Studio events have been postponed to a later date due to Covid-19 restrictions.
We are partnered with the Friends of the Yellow Barn Studio. friendsoftheyellowbarnstudio.org
Walt Bartman recently lectured and demonstrated to the Montgomery County Art Association on setting up and painting a symbolic still life. If you are interested in taking classes virtually, the video of the lecture will help you understand this new media. To watch the video, click here
Personal critiques of your artwork by Walt Bartman
Walt Bartman is founder and director of the Yellow Barn Studio. His career spans fifty years and he has taught thousands of students. Many are important artists, curators, designers, animators, photographers, and educators. Walt has been recognized personally by three U.S. Presidents for his outstanding teaching. His work is represented by the Bridge Gallery in Shepherdstown, W.Va.
Now for the first time, Walt will be available for personal critiques. Each critique will be limited to one hour with a maximum of ten paintings. The fee will be one hundred dollars. Each critique will be recorded and available as a personal copy to the student. Walt will show annotated notes on each work discussed. Registrations are now being scheduled. Click here to sign up for a Critique
Dr. Harry Cooper, Senior Curator and Head of Modern Art at the National Gallery of Art, Washington DC is our Judge 
Watch the interview with Harry Cooper and Walt Bartman, founder of the Yellow Barn Studio. Click here to see the interview
Spring 2021 Virtual Classes
Click on a day to see the classes that begin on that day of the week; some meet on one day and some on multiple days. The months indicate the duration of a given class. Click on the instructor’s name to visit the Glen Echo website where you may register.
Click here for a list of all Spring classes.
Virtual Workshops
Click on a day to see the workshops that begin on that day of the week; some meet on one day and some on multiple days. The months indicate the duration of a given class. Click on the instructor’s name to visit the Glen Echo website where you may register.
History of the Yellow Barn Studio
The Yellow Barn Studio and Gallery, operating in cooperation with the National Park Service and The Glen Echo Partnership for Arts & Culture, is one of the anchor residences of Glen Echo Park, Maryland. The Yellow Barn was founded in 1994 by Walter Bartman, a nationally recognized teacher and artist whose aim was to establish a community of artists. Our mission at the Yellow Barn is to provide opportunities to artists of all ages and backgrounds to grow as artists, work in collaboration, and show and sell artwork.
We accomplish this mission by offering art classes and workshops throughout the year to students of all levels and abilities. The studio provides a friendly and encouraging atmosphere in which to learn, explore, and grow. Walter Bartman, resident artist and Director of the Yellow Barn, has assembled a team of dedicated, accomplished, and qualified instructors to complement the programs and classes offered at the Yellow Barn. Class and workshops listings can be found on this page.
We pride ourself on the diverse philosophy of our faculty. Each member brings years of experience successfully working with students. The instructors are chosen for their artistic and educational expertise, and teach a wide range of classes in oils, acrylics, watercolor, drawing, printmaking, art history, and mixed media.
The Yellow Barn has been a great success. Since 1994 thousands of students have taken classes and workshops through the Yellow Barn Studio and today, the Yellow Barn Studio ranks as one of the best places to study painting and drawing in the Washington, Northern Virginia, and Baltimore areas.
Join us at the Yellow Barn Studio!
Click on the images to step inside.
Are you looking to exhibit and sell your artwork?
The Yellow Barn Gallery is booking for 2020 & 2021
Since 1994, over two thousand emerging artists have had shows at the Yellow Barn Gallery. Due to the Covid Pandemic, the gallery has been closed. Plans are to start Spring shows after April 1, 2021 on site and virtually. We are now booking for April 1, 2021. The Yellow Barn Gallery is a great place to sell your artwork. Not many galleries can say they have sold three hundred paintings a year. People come to buy paintings! Many prominent Washington D.C. artists have had their start here. The Yellow Barn Studio becomes a gallery every weekend. It is a great place to exhibit and sell your paintings. You will need at least thirty paintings to exhibit. All work must be framed to professional standards and be for sale. The Yellow Barn Gallery takes a 35% commission on work sold. Exhibitions are well attended. The Yellow Barn Gallery has 15,000 visitors per year. Make sure you get the dates you want. Sign up now.
Exhibits will be posted virtually. Click here to see our virtual gallery.
For more information or to schedule a show, contact Alex Bartman at alex.yellowbarn@gmail.com
BENEFITS OF JOINING THE FRIENDS
Friends of the Yellow Barn Member Services
www.friendsoftheyellowbarnstudio.org
To fulfill its mission the Friends, through the generosity of its many members, donors and sponsors, will to continue to provide education opportunities for aspiring artists of all ages. Through your generosity, the Yellow Barn Studio will be here for future generations of artists of all ages, the Friends encourage you to join us.
For information or questions about membership contact Lee Ann Howdershell leeannhowdy@gmail.com
Friends of the Yellow Barn
The Friends of the Yellow Barn was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1994. Its mission is to support The Yellow Barn Studio at Glen Echo Park. In its infancy, the Friends, with a 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 its reputation for a 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 Friends of the Yellow Barn’s mission is to raise money through donations and grants for renovation and programs associated with the Yellow Barn art studio. 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 600 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 Jim Kettler, President; Susan Galego, Secretary; Lee Ann Howdershell, Membership; Larry Schlaifer, Treasurer, Michel Escalant, Website, and Walt Bartman, founding member.
In 2003, 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. Today, over sixty classes a week are taught in the Yellow Barn, making it one of the largest painting and drawing programs in the metro area.
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 area high school sophomores, 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. A Jeanne North and Mitzi Yater Fuller scholarships are awarded yearly to deserving students.Many community outreach projects are sponsored by the Friends of the Yellow Barn throughout the year. The Annual Members Show, the Small Works Show, and the Drawing Show offer members of our community the opportunity to display and sell their work.Each year, the Friends sponsors a distinguished artist/speaker. Victoria Wyeth (granddaughter of Andrew Wyeth), Mary Whyte (noted watercolorist), and Wolf Kahn (painter), have spoken to our community.
Over the years, the Friends have run fundraisers to benefit those in need.
As a Friend, you are entitled to have a show in the Yellow Barn Gallery.
If you are interested in becoming a friend / member of the Yellow Barn, contact us here.
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:
Friends of the Yellow Barn Studio
P.O. Box 158
Glen Echo, MD 20812