Just outside of Murfreesboro in the peaceful country town of Rockvale, a quaintly glowing little barn offers itself as a magnificent refuge for established and aspiring artists, as well as those who simply appreciate art in its seemingly limitless forms.
Complete with a gallery, classroom and studio, The Art Barn is the lifelong dream of Dawna Kinne Magliacano and her husband Joe. Having freshly launched on Jan. 7, the facility’s purpose is “to encourage, teach, and create everything that is art,” said Magliacano. “If it inspires emotion, it’s art.” And full of inspiration it is.
Upon entering, you’ll find yourself right in the middle of the gallery featuring works by local artists. Hardwood flooring and walls provide a delicate contrast to the many shapes and colors of the gallery displays. The room abounds with a variety of oil and acrylic paintings, photographs, three-dimensional assemblages, pottery, handcrafted jewelry and handmade clothes. Also featured is a multitude of accessories such as purses, picture frames, candles, goat’s milk soap, colorful covers for iPads and Kindles, and even an assortment of all-natural homemade jams.
If it happens you visit The Art Barn on a stormy day, you’ll be delighted by the sound of the wind humming and raindrops thumping along the tin roof. Help yourself to locally roasted Just Love coffee (donations appreciated) and make your way around the corner of the gallery into the classroom area, where Magliacano and her daughter Chelsea King have set up classes to teach home-schooled children.
“Art is often seen as a leisure past-time and not the skill that it is,” said King. “I hope to spark [my students’] imaginations and inspire them to continue their talents.”
Once a week, at a modest price of five dollars, kids will learn a variety of techniques and mediums using different supplies, all provided by the facility. Of course, each child gets to take home his/her masterpiece of the day.
Plenty of opportunities are provided for adults to learn too. If you’re a person who’s already in touch with your artistic side or somebody looking to unleash the artistic beast within, the facility hosts an array of workshops including oil painting, encaustic wax, mosaic, block printing, jewelry, weaving, pen and ink, charcoal, watercolor, acrylics, screen printing, art quilting, sewing and knitting. The fees are affordable and the atmosphere is encouraging and not intimidating. Just as with the children’s classes, supplies are provided and you get to take home your creation.
“It’s so rewarding to bring art into people’s lives,” said Magliacano. “We now live in such an electronic world, some of the hand-crafted arts have been almost lost. I wish to preserve these old-world arts while building a community that celebrates an approach that is outside the box.”
In addition to classes and workshops, regular activities include a Craft Night every Tuesday with a new craft project to be learned and completed each week, featuring a variety of instructors. The second Friday of each month is Poetry Night where participants read either their own poetry or the work of another. There’s a cover of two dollars and all collected money is awarded to the best poetic rendering of the evening. Also to mention is the weekly Sunday Studio Circle, an ongoing two-hour painting session held upstairs in the loft studio.
The facility hosts monthly live acoustic music nights on scheduled weekends and, when the weather warms up, will present monthly outdoor movie nights featuring a large projection screen and lawn seating. For these particular activities, guests are allowed to bring their own wine and/or beer.
Unique upcoming events include a Valentine’s Paint Date on Feb. 14, where couples can bring their own wine and paint a work of art, with the facility providing the art supplies and a romantic setting with chocolate-dipped strawberries. On March 31, in conjunction with The Funky Hens Marketplace, The Art Barn will host an outdoor art festival featuring local artist vendors, food and live music as part of the facility’s ongoing effort “to get art alive and moving in the Middle Tennessee area,” as Magliacano put it. According to her, this will be the first of several of these types of events.
With so much to offer, The Art Barn really is a fantastic addition to our community. It’s apparent there’s a little something for anybody looking to create, sell or observe art. Check it out and learn how you can be involved.
The Art Barn is located at 8190 Hwy 99, Rockvale. Regular hours of operation are Tue.-Thu. 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 9 a.m.-10 p.m., and Sunday 12-6 p.m. For information including workshop, class and event scheduling visit theartbarntn.com or like it on Facebook.
