FACULTY SPOTLIGHT: RAMSAY ANTONIO-BARNES

RamsayBarnesTRINITYPAWLINGQUAD

Ramsay Antonio-Barnes has joined the faculty as a teacher of art, bringing his extensive talents in mixed media. “I get an idea then figure out which medium will express it best.” In addition to painting and drawing, Barnes works in photography, sculpture, printmaking, glass, bronze, and wood.

Barnes is fascinated with engines and draws inspiration from mechanical objects. “These perfectly machined circles and right angles also convey an organic life of their own.” He tends to work in smaller scale, sketchbook-size drawings, though he can also explode them to 5 x 9 foot pieces.

A Connecticut native, Barnes graduated from the University of Hartford Art School. He served as an adjunct professor of art at several colleges and universities in Maryland from 2007 to 2011. He taught at the Friends School of Baltimore for the past six years. Now at Trinity-Pawling, Barnes teaches Middle School art, Foundation Art, and three terms of photography, both digital and wet and dry lab.

What enticed Barnes and his wife, Momi, to uproot from Baltimore to Pawling? “After 11 years in the city, we were ready for a radical change. I had met Ned [Reade] and Bryn [Gillette] at the annual Independent School Art Instructors Association meetings, and they had seen me present on my teaching methods and assignments. So when I came here to visit, I already had some connections.”

“Professionally, I knew I would have unique opportunities at T-P. Our goal is to strengthen and enhance boys’ exposure to the full range of arts: music, studio, visual, and theatre. There are mentorship opportunities here that don’t exist as naturally in a day school. I can work on my own art in the studio in the evenings and also be present to help my students on their projects. This is the shift I sought in my life-work balance.”

Barnes sees himself as a 21st century shop teacher, with 3D printers and computer design as his tools. “I want to show the School how easy it is to make things. For example, my seventh grade art class loves using the 3D printers in the Dann Building creative labs.” He also hopes to spark further collaboration among faculty across disciplines. “Helping the faculty to collaborate and explore a passion with a group of students fosters shared learning.”

Barnes’ outside interests include collecting and restoring vintage Vespa scooters (he has five, from 1962 to 1984), and he and Momi run “Hula Honey’s Hawaiian Shave Ice” food truck which they bring to festivals, farmers markets, gallery openings, and other events in the Baltimore region. Rumor has it that Hula may make an appearance here in Pawling at some point…

Momi is a textile artist with a background in graphic design and branding. The couple resides in Cluett 3 North with their Boston terrier, Dozer. “We feel so lucky to live and work in such a beautiful environment. All this wide open space is a welcome change from city living.”

For more information and visuals, check out his website, www.ramsay-barnes.com