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Nurturing Creativity on the Palouse

Our mission

The mission of Artisans at the Dahmen Barn is to nurture creativity in a variety of ways and bring local fine and folk art to the public. Attractions include a gift shop featuring art, fine crafts and products from the Palouse, artisans at work in their studio spaces who will share their creative process with visitors, a monthly art exhibition, and regularly scheduled classes and performance events.

Four big events are held each year: A demonstration day in April, a tea and fashion show in July, a Harvest Festival in September and a Holiday Gala with gifts galore in December.

THE FACILITY IS FULLY HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE & THERE IS NO DAILY ADMISSION FEE

Hours
Artisans at the Dahmen Barn is open Thursday through Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm with early closure at 4 pm the winter months of January and February. It is closed on the following holidays: New Year's Day, Christmas day, 4th of July and Thanksgiving.

Bad winter weather occasionally causes highway closures in our area which may affect open hours of the barn. Please call 509-229-3414 to see if The Shop at the Barn is open before traveling to Uniontown in questionable winter weather.

Located in southeastern Washington State

Artisans at the Dahmen Barn is located in the rich dryland farming area called the Palouse, in Uniontown WA. Situated 16 miles south of both Pullman WA and Moscow ID, and 16 miles north of Lewiston ID, and Clarkston, WA, the art center is truly the hub of the Palouse.

The artisan center is adjacent to highway 195, where the big white barn can be seen surrounded by its landmark fence of 1000 iron wheels. Formerly a dilapidated dairy barn which was donated to the community by Steve and Junette Dahmen, the structure has undergone a transformation into a state-of-the-art creativity center.

In operation since October 2006

Renovation work began in 2004 with community volunteers rolling up their sleeves and removing half a century of pigeon droppings from the former hay loft. This ambitious project has been done with grants, private donations, creative fundraising projects and lots of hours donated by dedicated volunteers. More than $500,000 has been put into renovating the barn.

Approximately 1,000 people showed up at the grand opening on October 1, 2006 to see artisans at work in their studios and listen to music. Since then attendance and community support has exceeded expectations.

Learn more about the this fascinating project by reading the Story of the Barn on the About the Barn page on this website.

Special thanks to Eugene Dixon, UCDA board member and photographer extraordinaire, who has donated many, many hours and his expertise to document the artisan barn's progress. His images embellish this website.

Friends of the Barn made this project happen

Many, many people were involved in the transformation of the dilapidated dairy barn into the artisan center it is today. They donated cash, materials and time in their area of expertise. We so appreciate all the enthusiastic help in planning the project, executing the renovation and also with the ongoing operation of the non-profit organization.

We recognize these friends by giving them special mention on the Friends of the Barn section of the Sustaining the Barn page on this site. Click here to see the current Featured Friend.