Donate to the Barn Studio of Art
Dear Friends of The Barn,
As the 48th year of The Barn Studio of Art approaches, along with my 83rd year, The Barn Studio of Art continues to grow and evolve. Thanks to you, our family, friends, and patrons, who contribute in countless ways, we are able to maintain and sustain The Barn.
As we begin our third year as a non-profit, I am more convinced than ever that we have made the right decision to move in this direction. As I walk down High Street on Third Fridays, I am continually greeted by students who share wonderful stories with me about their memorable experiences at The Barn and how their studies transformed their lives. The Barn is one of a kind -- it not only enriches individuals, but it also creates a flow of supporters, artists, and business owners in the downtown arts district as well.
My founding ideals and philosophy have formed the basis on which our fine arts curriculum was developed. My philosophy of non-competition among the students and respect for the natural environment helps to foster this magical environment. Those ideals are instilled in the fabric of The Barn. My family not only understands but shares my ideals and vision for The Barn going forward. They are working side by side with me as we transition from a single instructor (me!) to a core base of energetic instructors, all of whom studied at The Barn. With the addition of my daughter Nancy as an Instructor and Director of Summer Programs, we were able to expand our summer programs to include a class for the Visually Impaired, as well as an intensive week-long Maurice River Landscape Painting workshop.
We will continue to tap into the alumni pool for other instructors, apprentices, studio monitors, and interns. It’s so exciting to have alumni students return to teach with me; they integrate their ideas and bring their own unique perspectives into the core fine arts curriculum at The Barn. We have created a strong lineage with roots in the tradition of fine arts academies, where knowledge is passed down from teacher to student. The students share with me how well The Barn prepared them for their studies at other institutions. One such student, Kandice Fields, started at The Barn when she was eleven and now is in her fourth year at The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Next year, Kandice will begin graduate studies and plans to attend Tamarind Institute to become a Master Printer. Kandice began this incredible journey with a scholarship provided by The Barn, then moved into apprentice, monitor, and intern roles, eventually becoming Studio Manager and Instructor. Kandice is a great role model to so many of the young aspiring students.
Holly Boyer-Manders started studying at The Barn in 1977. In 1992 she graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Architecture degree and now sits on our Advisory Board as the Chair of our Building Committee. Holly is the perfect fit for this position; when approached to be on the Board her response was, “I did not hesitate when asked to sit on the Board and serve as chair of the Building Committee. Because The Barn has played such an important role in my life and the lives of my children (not to mentioncountless others), I was thrilled to have the opportunity to give back something to The Barn.”
Holly will be designing improvement projects to the studio over the next several months. In fact, if you have been to The Barn recently, you probably noticed our new handicap accessibility ramp. This was accomplished with a beautiful artistic flair thanks to Holly’s design and Brian Page’s contribution. As funding allows, we will continue advancing our ADA plan so that The Barn will be barrier free to all.
Among the projects Holly is working on for 2010 is the removal of the old heater, renovating and moving the dark room, constructing an ADA compliant bathroom, and renovating the prop room.
The gardens at The Barn are cared for by volunteers John McClain and Eric Waltman, and guided by The Cumberland County Master Gardeners. Parent volunteers have helped expand and improve the nature trails, while a grant from the Cumberland County Improvement Authority has generously enabled us to provide new benches and a new clamshell driveway. The gardens and the nature trails flourish and continue to provide inspiration to the students.
There are so many stories I could share, but mostly what I want to say is this: Not only is there a perpetuation of my teaching and ideals, but of so much sharing, love, and paying forward for the generations to come.
Our non-profit status is more important than ever because tuition alone cannot sustain and develop The Barn programs. In difficult economic times, we receive more and more requests for scholarship funds that allow talented students with great potential to study art. This year is no exception. Your generous donations and dedication to our ideals enable the classes and programs at The Barn to continue, and make scholarships for deserving students possible. I know I can count on you for your continued support.
The most critical factors impacting The Barn’s sustainability and positive future growth are you, our dedicated supporters, your generous tax exempt donations, and public grants.
Please help us make this a banner year for The Barn Studio of Art with your 2009 donation!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart,
Love,
Pat Witt for the Art Spirit
Nancy Witt Mulick and Carole Witt Mankin
P.S. The arts community of South Jersey has been greatly impacted by the tireless dedication and work of Pat Witt. She had faith that this area could become a Mecca for the arts. Rather than leave, our mother stayed and made a difference. We are firmly committed to continuing her work. Please help us keep this mission alive! Nancy and Carole
Your 2008-2009 contributions helped us offer 15 scholarships, as well as several studio upgrades. In thinking about your donation to the barn, we ask that you consider that $200 is needed to support one student for one session of study. Fifty dollars will provide art supplies for one student for one session. We greatly appreciate your generosity in giving; any and all contributions are gratefully accepted. No contribution is too small to help Pat continue the art spirit of The Barn. Since we are a non-profit organization, all contributions are tax deductible.
We are set up to accept credit card donations on our website using Paypal.
Thank you for your tax deductible support.
*Please consult your tax professional regarding tax exemption eligibility of monetary or material donations to non-profit corporations such as the Barn Studio of Art.