Art Barn School of Art is partnering with the Das’ Art Gallery at Country Inn & Suites in Valparaiso to showcase work from local artists.
The Valparaiso-based Art Barn announced an upcoming exhibit featuring works from local artist Julia Holmaas. The exhibit, titled “Viewpoints”, will be on display at the gallery Nov. 11-Jan. 6. Country Inn & Suites will host an artist reception 4:30-6:30 p.m. Nov. 21 where visitors can meet Holmaas and enjoy refreshments.
Das’ Art Gallery is located in the lobby and dining areas of the Country Inn & Suites. Exhibitions are viewed by national and international guests who are often visiting the community to take part in various events. This is the second exhibition the Art Barn is curating at the Das’ Art Gallery.
The exhibition features Holmaas's paintings inspired by places she's visited throughout her life.
“The act of creating drawings and paintings allow me to see and more importantly feel and connect with my surroundings,” Holmaas said in a press release. “I have been keenly observing and learning about the natural world since childhood, photographing, drawing and painting landscapes, flowers, trees, animals and people.”
After graduating with a degree in biology, Holmaas worked for the National Park Service until retirement as chief of interpretation at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in 2004. She initiated the Indiana Dunes Artist in Residence Program. Holmaas is currently board president of The Art Barn School of Art. She is a longtime member of the Area Artists Association and the Chesterton Art Center and a founding member of Duneland Plein Air Painters.
The Art Barn School of Art offers art education classes for children and adults. It rotates exhibitions that feature regional artists every six weeks, helping to highlight community partnerships and its collection. The Art Barn hosts an annual juried art exhibition that attracts 400+ entries from artists across the Region and nation.
