THE RED BARN ART GALLERY

EVENTS

Saturday July 1st 5:30-7pm
Red Barn Art Gallery Season Opening

Friday July 14th 5:30-7pm
Music Series
with Jon Suters, Jason Ennis and Natalia Bernal

Saturday September 16th 6:30pm
Harvest Dinner

History of the Red Barn Art Gallery

Fishers Island artist Charles Thomas O’Neil purchased the Red Barn Art Gallery in 2018, formerly owned by fellow painter Charlie Ferguson. O’Neil and Ferguson were neighbors with a life-long friendship. While very different in painting styles, themes, and mediums, the two Fishers Island artists shared a relationship of mutual respect and admiration.

The Red Barn was built in the 1880s as a stable for the historic Lyles Cottage and was located across from the Fishers Island Post Office. It was subsequently moved to its current location and used as a paint shop for the Fishers Island Farms. Ferguson and his wife Alice purchased the building in 1950. Ferguson owned and operated the Red Barn Art Gallery for 67 years, exhibiting his paintings, etchings, and drawings every summer. In addition to being a painter, he was a teacher of Fine Art and Art History, as well as the director of the New Britain Museum for American Art.

O’Neil states that it is an honor to continue making art in the iconic Red Barn Art Gallery.  He will have an open working studio and exhibition space where visitors can stop in to see finished paintings that span his 30+ year career, as well as see works in progress.

As we started to renovate the building this year, these earlier layers have been revealed. It’s been so interesting to unearth the past and see it as a foundation for the future.

Charlie owned and operated the studio for 67 years, and exhibited his artwork there.

He was my neighbor and a life long friend. While we had very different painting styles, themes, techniques, and mediums, we shared a relationship of mutual respect.

The studio is now open as a working gallery and exhibition space for my work.  Feel free to stop and visit.