Port Austin, with its nearby Michigan Barn Art, has established itself as the epicenter of artistic activity in the Thumb region. The area, featuring several galleries, the Art in the Park event during Labor Day weekend, and the ongoing Ten Barns in Ten Years project, is gaining recognition as a thriving artist colony. Part of its appeal is the accessible and larger-than-life barn project. With three out of ten barns completed, we’re excited to delve into each barn’s progress and unique features.
One notable project is the Painted Barn of the Hygienic Dress League. Visual artists Steve and Dorota Coy transformed a weathered barn into a bold piece of artwork in 2013, drastically shifting Port Austin’s art scene. Their creation, Hygienic Dress League, merges business and street art to create their own brand marketing campaign. By painting a vibrant pigeon on one side of the barn and a version of American Gothic featuring gas masks on the other, they gave the barn a new lease of life.
A second remarkable barn art project is The Emergency Ark. Completed by sculptor Scott Hocking in 2015, this work transformed an 1800s barn into a symbol of sanctuary and safety. Its warped, grey timbers, sourced from the virgin forests that once dominated the Thumb, are intricately intertwined, transforming this former farm building into an art form.
The third project, Secret Sky, was created over the last two years by Catie Newell. She carved a “slice” from a 100-year-old barn, creating a walkable portal that shields the inside of the barn from view. Positioned to align with the sunrise and sunset at certain times of the year, the portal is illuminated at dusk by solar-powered lights, revealing the barn’s internal structure in a captivating new light.
In summary, Port Austin, with its innovative barn art, is a testament to the transformative power of creativity. With each barn in the Ten Barns in Ten Years project, the area continues to evolve into a dynamic artist colony. As we anticipate the completion of the remaining seven barns, we can’t help but marvel at the artistic vigor that has revitalized this rural Michigan landscape.
#Art #BarnRevival
For more insights into the unique and creative world of Michigan Barn Art in the Upper Thumb, click [here](https://thumbwind.com/2020/01/24/michigan-barn-art/?fsp_sid=1520).
