Coastal Conversations
Creativity has long shaped the paths of Charles Barbin and Randi Meekins-Barbin, whose shared passion for the arts led them to create DUNES Art Gallery. Charles, a Brigantine native, developed his craft through formal training, international travel and large-scale mural work, while Randi cultivated her voice as a self-taught artist and muralist, fully embracing her creative path in recent years. Their colorful murals brighten public spaces, schools, private homes and businesses throughout Brigantine, Atlantic City and beyond.
Located in Brigantine, DUNES is both a gallery and studio where visitors can experience a variety of artistic styles and perspectives. The space highlights their individual work while also creating opportunities to showcase other artists and encourage creative expression within the local arts community.
AS: How would you describe DUNES Art Gallery?
CB and RB: DUNES is a coastal contemporary art gallery, studio and event space owned and operated by artists. We house art from both local and nationally recognized artists and specialize in designing and executing murals.
AS: You both come from different artistic backgrounds. How did your individual journeys in the arts eventually lead you to work together?
CB and RB: We were both interested in participating in the local arts community. When we met, the arts in Atlantic City were still relatively new, so we found ourselves in the same spaces at the same time. When we finally had a chance to work together on the same project, we realized that we had similar goals and aspirations for ourselves and the community we were helping to build.
AS: What inspired you to create DUNES as both a gallery and a creative space for the community?
CB and RB: Community and art go hand in hand, so we knew having DUNES would attract a community of fellow artists, collectors and other creatives. The original plan for the gallery space was to have a studio/gallery for our work only. As we continued to build relationships with other artists and collectors, we evolved to pursue more collaborations — both with other artists and with the community.
AS: Charles, you’ve studied formally and painted internationally, while Randi is largely self-taught. How do those different paths influence the way you approach art and creativity together?
CB: Our differences as artists, whether it be how we studied art or our creative process, are the reasons we work so well together. One will always have a strength that will benefit the other. My formal training helps Randi with the technical part of art, while Randi’s intuitive eye will help me to find unique approaches to creating a painting.
AS: Randi, you decided during the pandemic to pursue art full time. How did that moment change your career and creative outlook?
RB: Pursuing art full time was a giant leap of faith, but I soon realized that hard work always pays off. I had to learn very quickly how to run a business/gallery and paint murals, and neither is easy. As artists, we often doubt ourselves and our abilities, but you never know how far your art can take you until you put your work out there for people to see.
AS: Charles, you’ve lived and worked in places like Rome and collaborated with large mural programs. What lessons from those experiences did you bring back to Brigantine?
CB: I’ve gathered many gems from my experiences in both Rome and Philly. Considering my surroundings, I am inspired by what’s around me in Brigantine and by finding and working with like-minded artists who share my passions and aspirations. That is critical when building a supportive community and for overall success in the business of art.
AS: As a husband-and-wife creative team, how do you support and inspire each other’s work while maintaining your own artistic styles?
CB and RB: Being inspired by each other is inevitable when you work so closely with another artist, but we are individuals with different interests that often inspire our work. We often try to give feedback that focuses more on technique rather than style.
AS: Your gallery highlights not only your own work but also the work of other artists. Why is it important to create opportunities for artists in the community?
CB and RB: Being an artist can be intimidating. Offering a space for artists to showcase their work can be a catalyst to build their confidence to apply for projects or show in other galleries. Many artists don’t have the opportunity to attend art school, so this space can also be a way for aspiring artists to be surrounded by art and receive professional feedback from working artists.
AS: Randi, your collection of Black Americana has been displayed in museums. What sparked your interest in collecting and preserving these pieces?
RB: There are so many reasons I specifically collect these pieces, but I feel now more than ever it’s important that this part of American history be preserved. It’s easy for us to look away from or ignore the ugly side of history, but displaying a collection like mine forces us to observe and engage in conversation that may be difficult but necessary.
AS: How has living and working in Brigantine influenced DUNES’ atmosphere and creative identity?
CB and RB: DUNES is very much influenced by the environment around us. While we love creating from personal inspiration, we also consider our location and the people we serve. Even the name DUNES came from a landscape series I painted while living at my family’s beachside condo in Brigantine during the pandemic shutdown.
AS: Looking ahead, what is your shared vision for DUNES and its role in growing the local arts community?
CB and RB: We’d love to continue to grow and be a staple in the community. We aim to build a national footprint to create and share bigger opportunities for ourselves and other artists.
Thank you to Charles and Randi Barbin for being featured in this week’s Coastal Conversations and for sharing the story behind your creative journeys. Charles’ and Randi’s passion for art and dedication to creating a space where creativity and community come together continue to add new energy and cultural expression to Brigantine and the surrounding shore community.
Coastal Conversations highlights people in our community who are making a meaningful impact. If you know someone who would be a great fit for a future column, please contact me at ShoreCoastalConversations@gmail.com.
From the shore to your door, let’s keep the conversation going.
