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.
Events and Exhibitions
Click on an image to download a PDF for the event and click the links below the image to register.
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.
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.
Yellow Barn Member Services
Friends of the Yellow Barn are invited to display their artwork on the Yellow Barn Virtual Gallery. This is a great opportunity for you to promote and sell your artwork.
This service is provided to our members at a reduced rate. Members can display up to 15 images of their artwork for one year for a fee of $100. Those who are already represented on our web site can renew their subscription for $50 a year, with the addition of up to 5 new images at no extra cost. There is no commission for displaying work for sale. You may also submit a link to your own website.
Any additional images will be $10 each.
All images must be provided in digital form with titles, dimensions, media, and (optionally) prices, and a short biography to include your email. You may attach your images to an email to alex.bartman@outlook.com.
If you are not yet a Yellow Barn Member, there will be an additional $70 tax deductible fee to join the Friends of the Yellow Barn.
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; and Walt Bartman.
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