Artisans at the Dahmen Barn have decided to put a twist on 2020 and make good with what they have. They have held events like exhibits, programs and art markets through the summer, taking advantage of their outdoor and indoor space.
The current exhibit, “Watercolor and Wood Art” features a father and son’s collaborating artwork and will be their first show as cooperating artists at the barn. T Julie Hartwig, managing director at Artisans at the Dahmen Barn, describes their artwork as a whimsical take on local scenery.
This exhibit can be viewed inside their location, with free entry, Thursday through Sunday until Sept. 27.
Vern and Danny Tietz worked together, adding their own personal swing to their artwork at the exhibit. Vern, father to Danny, has been mastering woodturning for 10 years, first learning his craft by attending woodturning classes, a program the barn provided a decade ago. This isn’t his first time showing his work at the barn, he has also been selling his bowls for around five years.
Danny is a watercolor artist who was inspired by one of his elementary school teachers, Craig Whitcomb, who is also a resident artist at the barn. Danny is the fire captain at the Clarkson Fire Department. This is his first time presenting his artwork at the barn.
Vern will be showing his beautiful and useful bowls, plates and vases made from wood found in the local area. The variety of wood include walnut, apricot, hackberry, spalted maple and silver maple wood.
And Danny will be showing his paintings of whimsical local scenery. Inspired by local places, his paintings include recognizable locations like apartments, the Union Town City Hall, fire department, library, the old Elanor’s Bar and Grill, camping spots and an art project at the old Pullman High School.
Hartwig says what makes Danny’s paintings unique is they are done in whimsical areas of surrounding towns in a playful style. People can recognize features and buildings within his paintings.
Anyone who comes to their exhibit can purchase the art and support the artists and the barn.
The barn has seen a steady flow of foot traffic in August but does not know what September will bring. Hartwig says with COVID-19 cases going up in Whitman county, it has slowed down business in the first week of September.
Through the pandemic, the barn has had to cancel most of its classes. Compared to last year’s finances, cashflow is down $20,000, and their giftshop is down over $30,000, Hartwig said.
Having exhibits open is another way to bring revenue and support the barn.
When heading to exhibits and programs, patrons must social distance and wear masks. The barn does not allow large groups and will turn away any larger than 15 people.
The barn plans on having more events throughout the year. October’s exhibit will be woodblock painting featuring artists from Spokane. November’s exhibit will be a small holiday craft sale over weekends.
To view the barn’s other events, visit https://www.artisanbarn.org/index.php.
Emily Pearce can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @Emily_A_Pearce.