Posts by Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met and Manager of My Modern Met Store. She is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art where she earned her BFA in Illustration and MFA in Illustration Practice. Sara is also an embroidery illustrator and writer living in Seattle, Washington. She runs Bear&Bean, a studio where she stitches pet portraits and other beloved creatures. She chronicles the creativity of others through her website Brown Paper Bag and newsletter, Orts. Her latest book is Threads of Treasure: How to Make, Mend, and Find Meaning Through Thread, published in 2014. Sara’s work has been recognized in Be Creative With Workbox, Embroidery Magazine, American Illustration, on Iron and Wine’s album Beast Epic, among others. When she’s not stitching or writing, Sara enjoys planning things that bring together the craft community. She is the co-founder of Camp Craftaway, a day camp for crafty adults with hands-on workshops in the Seattle area.
Store
August 28, 2026

Power Your Artistic Inspiration With a Frida Kahlo Figurine That Moves on Its Own

Artist Frida Kahlo is an inspiration to many. Whether it’s her deeply personal artwork or the vulnerability and resilience she showed throughout her life, Kahlo remains an enduring figure in art history. Now, get a daily reminder of her powerful legacy with a 7-inch-tall figurine that moves with the sun. Called Solar Frida, the hand-painted desk statue by Kikkerland Design looks like Kahlo, down to her bright clothing and signature unibrow.

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Museums
August 26, 2026

Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden Has Been Redesigned and Makes Its Grand Debut This Fall

The Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden is on the cusp of a grand reopening. It’s happening on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, after four years and a $68 million revitalization. The institution will have repaired aging infrastructure and will have more artwork on display, all in a design that reunifies the garden with the greater Hirshorn campus.

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Academy
August 25, 2026

Get Ready for Cozy Crafts Season With This Unique Online Embroidery Class

It might not feel like it right now, but we’re quickly headed toward sweater weather. As the temperatures fall and it starts getting dark at 5 p.m., it feels good to hunker down and enjoy some slow, hands-on crafting. Embroidery is the ultimate cozy craft for this time of year. It’s portable, screen-free, and meditative. You might have some stitching know-how, but there are always new things to try.

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Academy
August 18, 2026

Learn To Snap Swoon-Worthy Pet Photos and Paint Their Portraits in These Online Classes

Maybe you have a phone full of blurry—yet adorable—pet photos. Great pet pictures can be rare because dogs and cats are among the hardest subjects to shoot or draw. They are often on the move! The good news is that you don’t have to be a pet whisperer to capture fantastic photos or produce great art. You just need the right technique.

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.