About Us

About the Art Barn...

Private gatherings are welcome, and we can accommodate large parties. Birthdays, wedding showers, corporate events...

And be sure to pick out your favorite ‘creating music’ on our 1959 jukebox!

Send us an email!

The Express Yourself Art Barn begins its eighth season on April 23rd of this year in Saugatuck/Douglas. The barn itself is an old fixture in the area, dating back to the 1880’s, when the area was known for its peach orchards. Since that time, the barn has seen many uses, and is a wonderful historical place today for EVERYONE to visit and express their creative side in art!

The 1880’s barn is magical, with soaring ceilings, skylights, and hand humed beams. Art therapy in the barn is the best medicine...

The personal saga of the art barn involves a life long dream to retire to the beautiful Saugatuck shore. After raising two fantastic daughters in the suburbs, Carole and Ron sought out a simpler way of life, with a few twists and turns along the way. A creative sort, Carole had the crazy idea that an art barn is just what the Saugatuck area needed, a place where the average person could spend a couple hours or days-on-end creating and expressing themselves in art!

Having been a craft warrior over the years, Carole loves the chance to see the visitors to the barn have a chance to try their hand at something new, and each piece of art created in the barn is like a new member of her family. Her inspiration is everything around her, and the barn is a reflection of all that is bright, sunny and whimsical. Added to that is the magic of the three loves of her life, husband Ron, and daughters extraordinare, Steph and Ashley, and son in law Chris. Occasionally you will find them hanging in the barn with Carole, having an artful experience…

The barn is filled with light, and open to the gardens, so you will feel inspired by nature and the majesty of the barn. You can even sit in the garden under the shadow of the windmill while you create. Bring a picnic lunch and stay all day…

Groups are welcome, and can be accommodated during our open hours, or after hours with a reservation. Corporate gatherings held in the barn include the Shedd Aquarium, Amway, Perrigo, Kellogg and more.

There are so many places in Saugatuck and Douglas to be inspired by art, so bring your ideas to the art barn and CREATE! Children are welcome on the watchful arm of parents...

Paint your own chair and much more!