The Museum and Arts Center's volunteers continue to dig up treasures about the past.

Its local barn art exhibit has 58 original artworks related to barns and farmland in the Sequim area.

Admission is free for the show that features both amateur and professional artists.

"I was expecting about 30 entries, so this is great," said Linda Stadtmiller, MAC trustee and exhibit co-coordinator.

Cathrine Bennett, art historian and founder of www.dungenessbarns.com, said MAC chose barns as the topic for the first open art exhibit because "they are substantial" and offer a rich history of the area.

"We asked for barns that are no longer standing, too," Stadtmiller said.

"We have several pieces that are still standing but we're not sure for how long."

"They are terribly neglected and

are unfortunately disappearing," Bennett said.

Several pieces offer different interpretations on the same barn.

MAC executive director Katherine Vollenweider said she hopes people in Sequim will evaluate their barns in conjunction with the show.

"I encourage people who appreciate these historic barns to look into preservation," she said.

She has materials available at the museum on the Heritage Barn Preservation Initiative, which offers grant money for preservation of unique barns.

Vollenweider also is personally excited about the art show.

"Let's just say, if I had a barn, I'd live in it," she said jokingly.

Stadtmiller said the barn art exhibit could be the first of many public shows. Next year's topic is expected to be recycled art.

Comments and suggestions for the open art show can be left at the suggestion box in the MAC, or via e-mail at director@macsequim.org.

Matthew Nash can be reached at mnash@sequimgazette.com.