The Dairy Barn Arts Center is one of Southeast Ohio's premiere art galleries, drawing nearly 15,000 visitors to the region every year. It is The Dairy Barn Arts Center's mission to: offer exhibitions, events, and educational programs that nurture and promote area artists and artisans; develop art appreciation among all ages; provide the community access to fine arts and crafts from outside the region; and draw attention and visitors to Southeast Ohio.
Built in 1914, The Dairy Barn Arts Center was originally a functioning dairy barn in part of a complex owned by the Athens State Hospital. No longer of use, the barn was scheduled to be razed in 1977. A Citizens Task Force Committee headed by artist Harriet Anderson and her husband, Ora, was formed to preserve the barn and turn it into a non-profit arts center. With only nine days to spare, the Task Force Committee and the Hocking Valley Arts Council succeeded in their petitions to the governor, and The Dairy Barn Arts Center was founded and added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Since then The Dairy Barn has become a respected arts center with 5,423 square feet of gallery space in addition to a gallery shop, offices, and five spacious rooms for arts classes and community events. The Dairy Barn Arts Center features a variety of exhibitions and events, from the regional artwork of OH+5 and Athens Voices to the internationally famous Quilt National and Bead International.
The Dairy Barn Arts Center is supported by admissions, memberships, corporate sponsorships, grants, exhibition tours, and art sales. The full-time staff of seven is assisted by a corps of more than 200 volunteers who donate thousands of hours annually.
The Dairy Barn Arts Center's top-notch exhibitions and programs, its reputation in the international arts community, its close proximity to Ohio University, and its picturesque setting make it an important stop on the itinerary of many visitors. We look forward to seeing you soon at The Dairy Barn!
