Recording the history of Luther Barn - Part II: From livestock stalls to artists’ studios

WASSAIC — Whether finding space for artists to work or space to hold seasonal exhibitions and activities, The Wassaic Project has had Luther Barn in its vision. What was once known as a popular livestock market and auction ring operated by the Luther family has since been altered to house makeshift studios for resident artists. Many changes have been made to the barn since it was purchased for The Wassaic Project in 2007. Much of its history has been preserved and retold over the years, even as the barn developed a new purpose in the hamlet of Wassaic.

Revisiting the year 2007, the Luther Barn — while no longer the host of a booming market and auction ring — was still being used by Dave Luther, the grandson of the barn’s original owner, Delos D. Luther, to conduct business when it attracted the interest of Eve Biddle and Bowie Zunino, two of The Wassaic Project’s co-executive directors. It also caught the eye of The Wassaic Project’s founding funders Dick Berry and Tony Zunino (Bowie’s father), who learned that a local gun club was interested in turning the barn into a shooting range. Having saved the Maxon Mills building from demolition by purchasing it in 2005, Berry and Zunino believed turning the barn into a shooting range would ruin the character of the area’s downtown walking space and decided to purchase it instead.

While there was no specific plan at the time, it was ultimately decided that the barn’s pasture area would be leased to Wassaic resident and farmer Ben Schwartz, and later to two other farmers who worked with aqua pond agriculture. Though initially angered by the barn’s sale, Dave Luther agreed to stay on and offer his assistance to The Wassaic Project and its artists. Today, he is a frequent visitor at the barn where he maintains the surrounding property and relays the history of the barn and the former Luther Livestock Commission Market to visitors.

“I wouldn’t know what to do if I couldn’t come here every day,” Luther said during an interview with The Millerton News.

By 2008, The Wassaic Project organized its first summer festival. That same year, Jeff Barnett-Winsby, Bowie Zunino’s husband and a co-executive director of The Wassaic Project, came on board. 

Recalling his first impression of the Luther Barn, he said, “There were strange rooms and meandering corridors… but it did remind me of going to auctions as a kid. It was a strange thing where it was rural space that was always designed to have people in it.”

Throughout the seasons, Barnett-Winsby observed how the barn laid quiet and dormant until otherwise roused by community activity. Coinciding with his and Bowie’s move to the area, he said the barn really became active during the winter of 2009 as The Wassaic Project worked all winter to transform sections of the barn into artist studios. The artist residency program officially took off in May of 2010, opening with a total of 11 studios. While the barn continues to play a role in the various festivals and community gatherings, Barnett-Winsby said, “It’s really the residents that occupy the space that have been transformative to it.”

Walking around The Luther Barn today, cages that once held chickens, guinea hens, ducks, guinea pigs, pheasants, turkeys and rabbits still line its north side and are now occupied by The Wassaic Project’s safety gear, first aid kits and supplies for art projects of all shapes and sizes. The room that was previously used for selling eggs is now used as The Wassaic Project’s screen printing room while the holding pens upstairs that were once used for cattle are now used for storage space. Signs from the original market still hang on the doorway and around the building while horse equipment hangs from the upstairs ceiling. The upstairs luncheonette that was kept open during auctions has been left unattended. While there are a few inconveniences during the winter, Barnett-Winsby said the artists are good sports, and enjoy the freedom offered by the barn.

The Luther Barn has also opened its doors for community events, such as auctions for farm implementation items, tractor pulls and even marriage ceremonies.

“I love the fact that the barn is alive,” Luther said. “I love the fact that from the first of April to the end of November there are people in and out of this building. I love the fact that there are festivals here and tractor pulls.”

“I think this building has enormous potential to continue to be utilized,” Barnett-Winsby remarked, “and we’re always excited to facilitate ideas as they come along. It’s nice to have a space in town that’s flexible.”

Yet for all the love and labor that has gone into the building, Barnett-Winsby noted that The Wassaic Project has always been reluctant to have the buildings become too involved in its identity, especially since the buildings weren’t originally theirs. Nevertheless, he said The Wassaic Project is actively working to secure grants for infrastructure updates for the barn and Maxon Mills, especially for fire suppression and Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility.

As a testament to its commitment to artists and the art community, Barnett-Winsby announced that The Wassaic Project will be purchasing both the Luther Barn and Maxon Mills this year. At this time, the cost of purchasing both buildings will entail a number of taxes and appraisals. While he didn’t disclose an exact dollar figure, he said the cost for purchasing the buildings is “not insignificant but it’s something we can afford.”