Art in the Barn Appeals to Art Lovers and Families

A weekend of family fun and artistry kicks off this weekend at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital. 

The 36th annual Art in the Barn will take place Sept. 25 and 26 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the hospital grounds in Barrington. 

Event Chairwoman Kerin Montgomery said Art in the Barn has something for everyone.

"I'll call it a community event which appeals to the art lover and art patron as well as families," Montgomery said.

Sponsored by the Auxiliary of Good Shepherd, more than 170 juried artists will be exhibiting and selling a variety of media this year. Most of the top 10 selling artists from 2009 will be returning as well. Little budding artists can get in the act, too. 

"Children can paint on easels or pumpkins and then hang their art on a clothes line to dry while they walk around the show with their family," Montgomery said.

Children can also hop on a pony ride or listen to local musical groups.

"This is a whole celebration of the arts," Montgomery said.

The entertainment will include the Barrington Children's Choir, Big Sky String Band, Jeweled Ice, Suzuki Strings, Bataille Academe of Danse, Second Wind, Lee Bassett, The Guys and Alex & The All Stars.

A couple hundred volunteers work to make Art in the Barn possible, including Auxiliary members, community members and hospital employees.

"It's always a fun day," longtime volunteer Esther Schultz said. "The president of the hospital is out there grilling the brats in the tent like any other volunteer. It makes us a real close-knit group."

The first Art in the Barn took place in 1974 after a group of 10 women and local artists decided Barrington needed a quality art show. It was also one of the first fundraisers for the construction of Good Shepherd Hospital. The first show attracted 30 artists and 1,500 attendees.

Today, the show draws artists from across the country and more than 6,500 attendees. Art in the Barn has raised $2.5 million dollars for Good Shepherd over the years.

This year, the Auxiliary will donate the proceeds to the hospital's cardiac and emergency room department expansion and scholarships for college students pursuing degrees in healthcare.

"There's no other art show like it in the Chicago area," Montgomery said. "Especially in such a wonderful setting which really does cater to the family and the community, and it all goes to a good cause."

The art show will be in the original, two-story, rugged barn, corn crib, machine shed and other surrounding buildings from the Quaker Oats Research farm which donated the land to the hospital in 1973.

"The campus lends itself to so many things being on routes 22 and 59," Shultz said. "We're so fortunate to have the grounds that are just beautiful."

Organizers say Art in the Barn continues to grow as a wonderful community outreach event and tradition as one of the finest art shows in the area.

"It's a well-run affair," volunteer Faith Semla said. "All we need is good weather."

Admission to the event is $5 and children 12 and younger are free. Parking also is free.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m both Saturday and Sunday. Advocate Good Shepherd is located at 450 West Highway 22, Barrington. No pets are allowed.

For more information call 847-381-2094.