About BARN

BARN began in 2012 when a group of woodworkers, fiber artists, and other creative people came together with a bold vision: to create a home for makers and artisans on Bainbridge Island. After testing their concept in a temporary 2,000-square-foot facility, the community rallied to build our permanent 25,000-square-foot facility, which opened in 2017.

Today, BARN is one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier destinations for craft education and community engagement. Our volunteer-driven model demonstrates the power of collective creativity, with hundreds of community members contributing their time and expertise to make craft accessible to all.

BARN offers three core ways to engage with craft:

Classes & Workshops — From two-hour introductions to week-long intensive workshops like Handwork Week, we offer over 2,700 classes annually. No membership required!

Open Studio Access — BARN members can access professionally equipped studios during open studio hours to work independently, learn from peers, and develop their skills.

Community Service — BARN members volunteer their craft skills to support local nonprofits and community organizations, from building benches for schools to creating blankets for shelters.

Our 11 Studios: Culinary Arts, Drawing & Painting, Fiber Arts, Glass Arts, Jewelry & Fine Metals, Media Arts, Metal Fabrication, Print & Book Arts, Tech Lab, Woodworking & Small Boatbuilding, and Writers.

Our Mission:To grow and inspire a creative community through craft, learning, and service.

Getting to BARN

Address: 8890 Three Tree Lane, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110

Ferry Information:
 The Bainbridge Island ferry departs from downtown Seattle. The crossing takes 35 minutes.  Ferry delays and schedule changes can occur without notice. If you are planning to drive onto the ferry, we recommend checking WSF’s Ferry Alerts page before you depart. View current ferry schedule »

Driving Directions from Ferry Terminal:
 Follow W-305 north for 1.6 miles. Turn left onto Madison Avenue North, then right onto NE New Brooklyn Road, then right onto Three Tree Lane. BARN is on the right at the top of the hill.

From Sea-Tac Airport:
 Rent a car, catch a taxi/rideshare, or take Link Light Rail to the Seattle Ferry Terminal.

Parking:
 Free car and bicycle parking available on site.

Getting Around:
BI Ride offers free shuttle service with regular stops at the ferry terminal and BARN. Book a ride with Ride Pingo.

Where to Stay

We’ve arranged discounts with local lodging partners:

Eagle Harbor Inn — 10% discount
 Call 206-207-6796 and mention you’re a BARN student
 https://theeagleharborinn.com/

The Inn at Pleasant Beach — 10% discount
 Call 206-866-6499 and mention you’re a BARN student
 https://pleasantbeachvillage.com/the-inn/

Additional Lodging Options:

Quality Inn & Suites
Marshall Suites
Airbnb
Vrbo

Where to Eat

Lunch

To make the most of your lunchtime during workshops, we recommend taking advantage of the on-site catered lunches from Fig and Spice (not included in class registration). Book lunches by day below. Need help? Give us a call at 206-842-4475. 

Monday, April 27 :

Mediterranean Quinoa with tomatoes, cucumbers, toasted chickpeas, feta, pickled red onions, avocado, fresh herbs, and a vegan garlic aioli.
Muhammara Dip (roasted red peppers, gluten-free panko, cumin walnuts, and pomegranate molasses) served with naan and tri-colored carrots.
Salted tahini chocolate chip cookies.

$28 – Book Now

Tuesday, April 28 :

Lasagna with asparagus, peas, and mushrooms with ricotta, mozzarella, and a Gruyère bechamel.
Garlic Bread with Fig & Spice garlic butter.
Salad with organic greens, grape tomatoes, shredded carrots, radishes, and an Italian balsamic.
Lavender lemon shortbread with lemon glaze.

$28 – Book Now

Wednesday, April 29 :

Vietnamese cucumber salad with peanuts, glass noodles, carrots, fish sauce, fresh mint, and lime.
Green Curry Tofu with bamboo shoots, bell peppers, lime leaves, and basil.
Brown rice.
Mini pandan cupcakes with yuzu buttercream.

$28 – Book Now

Thursday, April 30 :

Frittata with bell peppers, broccolini, and an artisan cheese blend.
Caesar Salad with lemon, herbed ciabatta croutons and Parmesan (no anchovies).
Potato Salad with green beans and a wild mustard vinaigrette (no mayo).
Mini Spring Carrot Cupcakes with cream cheese buttercream (no nuts).

$28 – Book Now

Friday, May 1 :

Jeera Rice: Basmati with Spices and Ghee.
Tomato Curry with Paneer (Indian Cheese), Cauliflower, and Chickpeas.
Organic Greens with Snap Peas and Sunflower-Pepita-Sesame Brittle in a Tahini Dressing.
Naan.
Gulab Jamun with Rosewater and Cardamom.

$28 – Book Now

You are also welcome to bring a packed lunch. BARN’s lower level has a refrigerator and microwave. Prefer to explore? View nearby restaurant options.

Dinners

Dinners are on your own during Handwork Week, except for our optional Celebration Dinner (tickets not included in workshop registration). Explore delicious options near BARN and in nearby Poulsbo

Right across Three Tree Lane from BARN:
Eagle Harbor Winery
Highside Distilling

What to Bring

Your instructor will provide a detailed materials list and any pre-class preparation instructions. Regardless, we recommend:

  • Comfortable, studio-appropriate clothing
  • Closed-toe shoes (required in most studios)
  • Water bottle
  • Notebook for taking notes
  • Materials specified by your instructor

Handwork Week Schedule

Sunday, April 26

The following are free, optional events. Your workshops will cover all the information you need, but if you arrive on Sunday, we’d love to meet you! Please register for any Sunday events you wish to attend.

Check back for additional studio orientation times. 

Monday, April 27 – Thursday, April 30

  • 9 AM – 12 PM: Classes
  • 12 – 1 PM: Lunch
  • 1 – 4 or 5 PM: Classes
  • 5 – 9 PM: Open Studios; see below for details.
  • 6 – 8 PM: Community events (see Evening Activities, below).

Friday, May 1

  • 9 AM – 12 PM: Classes
  • 12 – 1 PM: Lunch
  • 1 – 4 PM: Classes
  • 4 – 6 PM: Handwork Open House (open to community)
  • 6 – 8 PM: Celebration Dinner (not included in course registration; tickets required).

BARN Hours

Office hours: 9 AM – 5 PM daily
Member access: 6 AM – 2 AM daily

Beyond Your Class: Open Studios & Community Activities

Handwork Week isn’t just about your workshop! Take advantage of these opportunities:

Open Studios & Additional Work Time:

Open Studios are monitored, unstructured times for students and BARN community members to continue work on their projects. During Handwork Week, the following will be available:

  • Glass Arts and Jewelry & Fine Metals: Extra evening work time may be provided depending on students’ needs, but there is no specific Open Studio schedule.
  • Drawing & Painting, Fiber Arts, and Writers’ Studio students are welcome to continue work in their respective studios after classes end.
  • Print & Book Arts: Open Studio Monday, April 27 – Thursday, April 30, 6 – 9 PM.
  • Tech Lab: Open Studio during Kitsap Cosplay Guild – Wednesday, March 29, 6:30 – 8 PM.
  • Woodworking: Open Studio in the Bench Room – Thursday, April 30, until 9 PM.

Evening & Community Activities:

Join us at these free events!

Explore Bainbridge Island

Make time to explore! Bainbridge Island offers beaches, walking trails, art venues, and more:
Bloedel Reserve: A renowned public garden
Bainbridge Island Museum of Art: Contemporary art & craft
Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial: Historic outdoor exhibit
Downtown Winslow: Shopping, dining, galleries

Travel and Logistics

We recommend arriving 15-30 minutes early on your first day to find parking, locate your studio, and meet your instructor.

Yes! Free parking is available on site. During busy times, you may need to park in our overflow lot, which is close by on Three Tree Lane.

Yes. The Seattle-Bainbridge ferry accommodates both walk-on passengers and vehicles. Fares are collected westbound (Seattle to Bainbridge) only. Check current rates at https://wsdot.com/ferries/

During peak times (weekday mornings and evenings), vehicle lines can be long. Arrive 30-60 minutes before your desired sailing. Walk-on passengers rarely wait more than one sailing. The crossing itself takes 35 minutes.

It depends on your plans. BARN is 1.8 miles from the ferry terminal. If you’re staying near the terminal and only coming to BARN, you can use BI Ride (free shuttle), taxis, or rideshares. If you want to explore the island or stay farther from downtown, a car is helpful.

Washington State Ferries are easy to navigate! Drive onto the ferry following staff directions, park, and you can stay in your car or walk to the passenger deck. When the ferry docks, return to your car and drive off. Walk-on passengers simply board and disembark on foot.

Limited locker space may be available in some studios. Check with your instructor. We recommend not bringing valuables.

Yes. BARN has elevator access to both floors, accessible restrooms, and accessible parking. Specific studios may have accessibility considerations. Contact accessibility@bainbridgebarn.org with questions.

Pacific Northwest spring weather can be unpredictable! Average temperatures range from 45-60°F. Expect some rain. Dress in layers and bring a rain jacket. BARN studios are climate-controlled, but you’ll probably find layers useful both indoors and out.

Meals & Dining

No. Lunch and dinner are not included. You can purchase catered lunches separately or bring your own. See the Dining section for details.

Water bottles are allowed in studios. Food should be consumed in designated common areas or the lower-level community space. Some studios have specific food and beverage policies. Please check with your studio liaison for studio-specific policies.

Contact registrar@bainbridgebarn.org if you have questions about the catered lunch options.

Safeway grocery store is nearby, at 253 High School Rd NE. Town & Country Market is located in downtown Winslow (1.8 miles from BARN).

Class & Studio Questions

Most workshops result in one or more finished pieces, though this varies by class. Some workshops focus on technique development rather than finished objects. Check your class description for details.

Some studios sell basic materials, but this varies. Your instructor will provide a materials list, and the class description will note if you need to bring any additional items. We recommend purchasing any required materials in advance, especially if coming from out of town.

Email registrar@bainbridgebarn.org as soon as possible, ahead of time, or let your instructor know as soon as you can in class. While we understand that things come up, missing significant portions of a multi-day intensive may impact your ability to complete projects.

Yes, for personal use! Please be respectful of other students’ work and ask before photographing people. If you share on social media, use #bainbridgebarn and #Handwork2026

Some studios have pickup procedures for finished work (especially glass, which may need kiln time). Your instructor will explain studio-specific policies. Work left at BARN is stored at your own risk.

Most studios have climate control, though studios can be warmer or cooler depending on usage and ventilation. Dress in layers.

Safety & Health

Studios provide necessary safety equipment (safety glasses, hearing protection, etc.). Your instructor will explain safety protocols on the first day. Closed-toe shoes are required in most studios.

BARN is not an allergen-free facility. Some studios use materials that may trigger sensitivities (resins, dyes, chemicals, wood dust, etc.). Review your class description carefully and contact your instructor with concerns. Bring any necessary medications.

Yes, first aid kits are located in every studio and by the elevators.

Please check BARN’s current health and safety policies at https://bainbridgebarn.org/policies/. We ask that you stay home if you’re feeling ill.

Schedule & Events

Not required, but highly recommended!

Yes! BARN is open to the public during office hours (9 AM – 5 PM). They’re welcome to take a free tour on Wednesday or Sunday (1 – 3 PM). The Friday evening celebration (4 – 6 PM) is open to the community.

Yes, during office hours (9 AM – 5 PM) you can visit common areas. Evening open studios (5 or 6 PM – 10 PM) are available to Handwork Week students. Some studios may require brief safety orientations before independent work.

Yes! Tickets are available at https://www.create.bainbridgebarn.org/assnfe/ev.asp?ID=5324371. Space is limited, so register early.

Staying Connected

Yes, free WiFi is available throughout the building. The password is Community!

If you have urgent questions about materials or preparation, contact registrar@bainbridgebarn.org and we’ll connect you.

Important Contact Information

BARN main office: 206-842-4475
 Email: info@bainbridgebarn.org (general queries) or registrar@bainbridgebarn.org (workshop-specific queries)
 Address: 8890 Three Tree Lane NE, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110

Accessibility

BARN is committed to accessibility. If you require assistance, email accessibility@bainbridgebarn.org

Sensory Statement:Makerspaces like BARN can be noisy and cluttered, smell strongly, and have bright or flickering lights. BARN is not an allergen-free facility. If you have concerns, please email info@bainbridgebarn.org