Lexington Artist Marks First Major Installation Since the Start of the COVID-19 Pandemic with Bluegrass Care Navigators

Amy Doane • April 15, 2021

Bluegrass Care Navigators this week installed a commissioned glass sculpture, Life Spiral, in the atrium of their new headquarters at 1733 Harrodsburg Road. Artist Dan Neil Barnes, known for inspirational and seminal work, is personally managing the dynamic suspended installation.


Life Spiral is a significant achievement for Barnes, with the piece marking his first major installation since the onset of COVID-19 in the spring of 2020. “This sculpture sends a powerful message to the arts community that art is indeed vital and a much-needed part of our community," said Barnes.


Barnes drew inspiration from the intentional design of Bluegrass Care Navigators’ building renovation, through discussions with Denham-Blythe contractor Damon Durham, Nathan Zamarron at LexArts who assisted the agency in commissioning artwork for the building, and landscape designer Jon Carloftis, who created a healing garden space outside the two-story glass atrium where Barnes’ piece will be installed.

“Our new facility and garden was designed to provide an inspirational workspace that supports our core values and provides a place for clinicians to rejuvenate, rest and prepare for the care they provide to patients and families in their homes and facilities,” said Bluegrass Care Navigators CEO Liz Fowler. “The entire experience of the building, garden and surrounding artwork is also meant to be a place of hope, healing and peace for bereaved and those who have experienced a loss.”


Barnes said he hopes to inspire viewers to focus on the spiral captured in his work, as the spiral is a positive force reflected in nature, in mathematics and in the universe. “Each strand of glass represents a facet of one’s life and they join together to create the whole of a person's spirit and essence, " Barnes said.

“To have this commission for this particular organization is an honor. And to have it come along after such a tough year is truly a blessing,” Barnes concluded.


Bluegrass Care Navigators looks forward to celebrating its new headquarters later in 2021. The agency continues to limit guests to its offices as part of its COVID-19 Healthy at Work practices.


About Bluegrass Care Navigators


Headquartered in Lexington, Bluegrass Care Navigators provides hospice care in 32 counties across Kentucky. In addition, the agency supports those facing serious illness or chronic disease with private duty nursing, home primary care, transitional care, adult day health care, and palliative care services. For more information about Bluegrass Care Navigators and our services, call 855-492-0812 or visit www.bgcarenav.org.


About Dan Neil Barnes



Born to a family of builders and craftsmen, Dan Barnes experienced firsthand the satisfaction of creating something from an idea or inspiration. Henderson County served as the backdrop for his education in art and craftsmanship as he worked alongside of his father and uncles. He graduated from high school in 1976, receiving the senior superlative of most artistic in his class. He earned his BA in Human Environmental Design from the University of Kentucky having studied under Arturo Sandoval, Miles Weiner, and John Tuska. The love of creating his own designs was what led Dan to open his own business in 1986. Since then, Dan has earned an outstanding reputation in the design community for his design flair and top quality craftsmanship seen in his upholstery and furniture design business. His upholstered pieces have been featured in several interior design shows. Seeking another creative outlet, Dan began experimenting with stained glass several years ago. After studying the craft from Laura Hallock in Lexington, Dan began creating his own original designs combining light, color and texture. Dan was awarded top honors for his stained glass work and has been a juried exhibitor at many major shows throughout the United States. Learn more about Dan and his work at http://www.danbarnesglassart.com.


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