Decatur's Barn Colony talent on exhibit in Lincoln

[July 18, 2017]  LINCOLN - The latest monthly art opening this past Thursday evening at the Lincoln Art Institute had an unusual theme. Logan County Arts invited Decatur’s renowned Barn Colony artists to take over the gallery for a display of their works.

The Barn Colony has been in existence since 1939. A group of artists started an art colony in a barn owned by Millikin University. The Barn Colony has had an art exhibition every spring except for two years during World War II since its inception. It currently has approximately fifty members ranging in age from college students and up.

“Many of the members of the Barn Colony specialize in one type of art, but at our weekly meetings we encourage everyone to try something different. Our members act as instructors in their specialty, but we also have visiting artists who give classes," said Barn Colony member and photographer Diane Spaniol.

The range of specialties of the artists is evident in the collection on exhibit at the Lincoln Art Institute. Oil, acrylic, pencil, photography, water colors are all represented. The range of subjects is also extensive.
The south wall of the Lincoln Art Institute is dedicated to the four seasons. The gallery was hung by members of Logan County Arts.

Hanging an exhibition is an art in itself.

LCA member and artist Pam Moriearty said, “We conspired with the Barn Colony to dedicate the south wall to the four seasons, but we still had to find paintings that did not clash with one another.” She added, "The rest of the exhibit had to be carefully crafted so that paintings that were hung near one another did not clash in color or theme.”

Moriearty specifically pointed to “Sass” by Phil Cooling. It hangs against the back wall and its vibrant colors, size, and theme draws the eye of the visitor as soon as they walk into the door. “We had to be careful with that one because it stands out. So, we chose paintings with similar colors and shapes within the painting to hang near it,” she said.

When asked about the exhibit by the Barn Colony from Decatur being at the Lincoln Art Institute, Moses Pinkerton, owner and resident artist, had an easy explanation. “They don’t have the space or opportunity to show their works often. We are just being neighborly and sharing our living room with neighbors,” he said. LAI artist Rob Swofford added, "This exhibit shows Lincoln other artist’s voices.”

The exhibit runs through the end of July. Contact Moses Pinkerton at 217-651-8355 to arrange a visit to the Lincoln Art Institute to view the Barn Colony exhibit.

[Curtis Fox]