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 19^th 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 400 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, President; Jim Kettler, Vice President; Paula Rubin-Wexler, Vice President; Ann Schaeffer, Secretary; Patti Hatleberg, Treasurer; Walt Bartman III.

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 Montgomery County Arts and Humanities Council, area businesses and art lovers. In 2003, through the generosity of the Montgomery County Executive Ball for the Benefit of Arts and Humanities, Friends sponsored 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.

The winning Painting: Father and Aunt at the Beach, by Joanna Bresee, a student at the Visual Art Center, Einstein HS., received a $500 award from Plaza Artist Materials. She is flanked by her teachers, Mike Piechocinski and Jane Walsh.

Second Place of $250: Leah Goldenshon, Walter Johnson High School, Teacher : W. Michael Bartman III.

Third Place of $100 to Minging Li, The Visual Art Center.