Red Barn Art Center
Public Studio Program

A desert studio near Death Valley National Park for visual and performing artists available on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis at a nominal cost.

Ideal for Painters, Printmakers, Sculptors, Photographers, Filmmakers, Writers, Musicians, Theater Groups, Choreographers and more...

Goldwell Open Air Museum’s Red Barn Art Center is a 2,250 square foot facility located in the Bullfrog Townsite just a bit southwest of the ghost town of Rhyolite in Nye County, Nevada.

The Barn houses a large 1,125 square foot multi-purpose studio and exhibition/performance space, and an intaglio printmaking studio. Future improvments include a writer's studio and bedroom and kitchen facilities enabling extended onsite stays.

The Studio Program is supervised by Museum staff who are also available to provide technical assistance. Artists will be responsible for providing their own supplies, materials and personal tools.

Annual Museum membership and a daily rate of $25.00 per artist is charged for the Studio Program. Click here to reserve space.

View of the print studio with Takach etching press

Main studio used as gallery and performance space


View of the east entrance and yard

More Information about the Program

How long can I stay?
The minimum stay is two days with no set maximum based upon availability. Fees for the first month are due at the time of reservation, the first of the month thereafter.

Where do I bunk?
Lodging is available in nearby Beatty (four miles east) in a variety of modestly-priced motels and RV parks. Onsite hookup for self-contained trailers or RVs is available at the Red Barn for an additional fee with advance permission. There are no sewer or water hookups available at the Red Barn.

What are the facilities like?
The Red Barn Art Center is a rustic facility with a cement floor and an open rafter ceiling. Water is trucked to the site and restroom facilities are spartan. The main studio has posts running down the center. There is approximately 120 running feet of wall space and an 8' height. The main studio is wheelchair accessible. The print studio has a 30" x 60" Takach etching press and a 18" x 24" Conrad monotype press. There is an electric hotplate for making plates, a drying rack, sinks, and an acid tank. The facility has full-spectrum florescent lighting, east and south facing windows, and track lighting in the main studio. There is plenty of electricty for running equipment.

How extreme is the environment?
The area is generally sunny, dry, and clear throughout the year. The winters are mild with occasional winter storms, but summers are extremely hot and dry. Summer high temperatures commonly run above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Comfortable clothing providing sun protection and a broad brimmed hat are recommended in summer. Winter requires warmer clothing and light to medium jackets. Sturdy walking shoes are important year round.

The Red Barn Art Center is located near the ghost town of Rhyolite in an area affected by mining activities. While not exactly wilderness, the area is home to abundant desert wildlife including burros, rabbits, snakes, scorpions, spiders and mice.

Will I be the only one there?
It depends. You can request a solo stay or come with a group. In general, we will not book different groups at the same time. Museum staff will have a right of entry at anytime.

What services are available nearby?
Beatty, Nevada is the closest town to the Red Barn Art Center and has all visitor services including lodging, restaurants, fuel and some supplies. For art supplies, Pahrump, Nevada (50 miles south) or Las Vegas (115 miles south) will be your best bet. Deliveries of supplies can be arranged to the Red Barn Art Center. There is no full-service grocery store in Beatty and limited medical services.

What else is in the area?
Lots of wide open space to get lost in, conceptually as well as physically. The ghost town of Rhyolite is right up the road, one of the premier ghost towns in the west. Bailey's Hot Springs is a short distance away, where one can take a relaxing soak. Death Valley National Park is 26 miles to the west via one of the most dramatic entrances into the valley. The famed Amargosa Opera House is at the southern end of the Amargosa Valley in Death Valley Junction, CA, about 70 miles from The Red Bard Art Center.

Is there any financial assistance available?
Nevada Arts Council has a Jackpot Grant program ($1,000 max) available to individual Nevada artists which may be used to defray studio fees and travel expenses at the Red Barn Art Center. Click here for more information. Out-of-state artists should check with their local state arts agencies for similar programs.

I want to rent the facility to hold a workshop, what is the cost?
The Red Barn Art Center can be rented for use as a workshop venue for $250 a day. Please contact the Museum for more information.