The Red Barn Studio Museum is excited to welcome illustrator and fine artist Barry Fitzgerald from Lawrence as the Artist-in-Residence from March 1 through 28, 2026.
Barry is an illustrator, designer, and fine artist, as well as Professor and program director of Illustration at the University of Kansas, where he has taught since 1993. In his illustration career, Barry has received numerous national and international awards, and has worked for clients such as AARP, Children’s Television Workshop, Boston Globe, Chicago Review Press, National Public Radio, and the New York Times, among others.
An artist since childhood, Barry enjoys the challenge of making engaging images that explore personal, social, and cultural observations through the use of metaphorical, narrative, and symbolic concepts. He cites textures, light and shadow relationships, the dynamics of line and shape, and fellow artists as recent inspirations.
During his residency, Barry will be creating a new body of artwork using collage, charcoal, and assemblage techniques. Barry’s artwork is often generated first in his sketchbook, informed by a range of imagery from representational to abstract. Before starting his paintings, Barry explores composition, value and color studies, experiments with mark making, and uses digital methods to plan his paintings. Barry works on multiple paintings at the same time, preferring to work in a series. Throughout his process, Barry plans to explore mark making and the addition of three-dimensional elements to his pieces. Visitors to the Red Barn will see Barry at any stage of artmaking, and he welcomes the opportunity to explain part or all of his process. Barry is interested to see how a new working environment and community will inform his future artwork, and is also looking forward to his upcoming exhibition at the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery May 3 – July 19, 2026.
Join us for Barry’s “Connecting the Dots” at the Red Barn on March 14, 2026 from 1-3pm. Participants will use colored paper, various drawing and painting tools, and tempera paint to make an assortment of visual elements that include textures, random shapes, and representational imagery. These elements will be put together to complete a picture. Exploring different ways to combine the elements can be similar to a connect-the-dots method of making a picture – it can be challenging to know what to expect, but each step of the process reveals what the picture could be. Cost is $25 for nonmembers and $22 for members. Register online at redbarnstudio.org, by phone at 785-227-2217 or in person at the Red Barn T-F 10am-5pm, Sa-Su 1-5pm.
All are invited to attend a free reception for Barry on March 22, 2-4pm.