As AJF travels to Santa Fe, NM, US, this week, it’s the perfect time to interview new AJF member Ivan Barnett—who’s based in Santa Fe—about his consulting venture, Serious Play.
For over 25 years, Ivan Barnett has shaped the narrative of contemporary craft and design through his work with the Santa Fe institution Patina Gallery. As co-founder and director of Patina Gallery, Barnett helped build a space that championed unconventional voices in the field of art jewelry and design. But his creative reach extends beyond curating. Through his new undertaking, a consultation firm called Serious Play, Barnett explores storytelling, nostalgia, and revitalizing creativity with a distinct sense of wit and texture. In this conversation, Barnett discusses the evolution of Patina Gallery, the ethos behind Serious Play, and how he balances the roles of artist, curator, and cultural steward in today’s fast-shifting landscape of contemporary art.
Melis Agabigum: Serious Play is a unique undertaking. How did you come up with the concept for this new business venture?
Ivan Barnett: The idea for Serious Play emerged naturally from my 25 years at Patina Gallery, where I had the privilege of working not only with extraordinary artists, but also with the galleries, collectors, and institutions who helped bring their work into the world. Patina held a unique position—we treated art jewelry as fine art, and that perspective shaped everything we did.
Exhibitions like Oxidized and Ornament as Art weren’t just shows—they were immersive experiences. I collaborated closely with artists and partners to create thoughtful narratives and new ways for the public to connect with the work.
After I stepped away from the gallery in 2022, former colleagues and artists began reaching out. That’s when Serious Play came into focus. I realized that mentoring, curating, and shaping ideas could continue in a new and deeply personal way.
Serious Play offers both creative coaching and consulting. Coaching supports the internal path: unlocking creativity and reconnecting with purpose. Consulting is strategic, with a focus on branding, pricing, and planning.
The real joy is meeting artists and gallerists exactly where they are and helping them take meaningful steps forward.
I love the name Serious Play and what it implies about the creative practice. Tell us more.
Ivan Barnett: The name grew out of years of observing what truly fuels creativity, in both studios and galleries. I had the great privilege of working with visionary artists in the world of art jewelry. I saw that those who thrived were the ones who knew how to play seriously. They pushed creative boundaries while staying rooted in discipline and craft.
Exhibitions like The Tension of Opposites—co-curated by Ivy Ross, A Season of Blue, and Starry Night were reflections of that. The artists took bold risks with form and meaning, and we matched that energy at the gallery. It was always serious work and was curated with care and deep intention.
Audiences feel that. When creativity is both playful and rigorous, it’s authentic and that authenticity is what draws people in.
Serious Play is about helping creatives stay curious while moving forward with purpose. And that’s where the magic lives—always has.
Your mission states: “Serious Play seeks to elevate their artistic careers while maintaining a balance between artistic integrity and commercial success.” It seems like the goal is to provide a personal mentorship experience that caters to each client’s individual needs while still putting the artistic practice in the forefront.
Ivan Barnett: The idea is that artists and gallerists shouldn’t have to choose between creative integrity and commercial success. That balance is delicate, but absolutely possible.
Particularly through exhibitions like Signs of Life, Unearthing New European Makers, and Silver and White, we saw how jewelry could be both sculptural and conceptual. That meant understanding the artist’s vision and collaborating closely with galleries and collectors to present it meaningfully. It taught me that mentorship isn’t a formula; it’s a relationship.
When I begin working with a Serious Play client, I start by listening—deeply listening. I want to understand where they are, what excites them, and what’s getting in the way. Some need strategy, some need space to reflect. My job is to meet them where they are and offer the right support at the right time.
What I learned at Patina and bring to Serious Play is that when creative vision is supported by thoughtful strategy, meaningful growth follows. Every mentorship is a collaboration rooted in trust, curiosity, and a shared commitment to honoring the work and the journey behind it.
You’ve had quite a bit of success throughout your career working with artists in various capacities. For instance, in your role as co-founder and creative director of Patina Gallery, you interfaced with many artists both emerging and professional. How has an experience like that guided your endeavors with Serious Play?
Ivan Barnett: The years I spent working closely with artists and gallerists laid the groundwork for Serious Play. I had the privilege of collaborating with extraordinary makers of art jewelry and the gallery community that supported them. Those relationships taught me how to truly listen—to the artist’s vision, the gallery’s role, and the collector’s curiosity.
I quickly learned that no two creatives need the same support. Some artists needed help clarifying their story; others needed guidance on how to navigate the market. Gallerists faced their own challenges, like staying relevant, discovering new voices, and evolving with their audience.
That same instinct now shapes my work. Whether I’m coaching a master like William Harper or consulting with a gallery redefining its path, I begin with curiosity. I understand the tension between making meaningful work and sustaining a creative business.
The methods and practices that artists used to market and present their work has evolved so much in the last few decades. It feels like everything is changing so fast, especially in the age of social media. How do you personally stay up to date with the different trends of the art world/creative industry, so that you can offer the best guidance to your clientele?
Ivan Barnett: While I still have a soft spot for the days of printed invitations and word of mouth, I’ve come to appreciate the power of today’s digital platforms.
I explored new ways to connect; through early digital catalogs, behind-the-scenes stories, and thoughtful outreach. The gallery exhibitions were never just about the objects. They were about creating resonance, both in person and beyond.
Now, through Serious Play, I follow how artists and galleries use tools like Instagram, virtual shows, and newsletters. Some clients are digital natives, others are new to it—but regardless of platform, what matters most is intention.
Many of the statements on Serious Play’s website refer to the idea of storytelling. Can you talk about your personal philosophy on the best ways artists can tell a story?
Ivan Barnett: Storytelling has always been at the heart of my work, and it’s the foundation of Serious Play. From the start, I saw every exhibition as a chance to tell a story—not just about the objects, but about the hands that made them and the meaning behind them.
Jewelry, especially, is uniquely intimate. It lives on the body, it carries emotion. That’s why shows like 100 RINGS, Friendship Forged in Gold, and Heavy Metal were so memorable. They were narratives, not just exhibitions.
When I work with clients now, I always ask: What do you want your audience to feel? That emotional truth is the real story. For artists, it might mean rewriting a statement or sharing their process more openly. For gallerists, it’s about how they shape an exhibition and carry that message across platforms. In both cases, it’s about being clear, consistent, and deeply human.
With Serious Play, where does consultation begin and collaboration take over, and vice versa?
Ivan Barnett: [I wrote about that in my] Klimt.02 piece, When 1 + 1 = Three, [which] came straight from the heart and reflects what I live every day. Collaboration wasn’t occasional; it was essential, especially in the world of art jewelry. Every exhibition, every relationship, was built on shared dialogue.
The gallery exhibitions weren’t just curated—they were co-created. My vision always expanded once others’ perspectives entered the conversation. That same spirit carries into Serious Play. I might begin by offering structure, reworking a site, pricing, or programming … but it’s when the client’s energy enters that real collaboration begins.
The shift is subtle. Consulting starts with strategy, but when the exchange deepens and ideas begin to flow both ways, it becomes collaboration. That’s often when creative coaching emerges. It’s about asking the right questions, helping clients find their own path forward.
Looking toward the future, what are your hopes for Serious Play?
Ivan Barnett: Looking ahead, for Serious Play, is simple, profound, and personal—to carry forward the spirit of what I brought to the gallery, but in a more direct, intimate way.
I built more than exhibitions. I created relationships, stories, and emotional connections between objects and audiences. That belief in the power of the maker, and the gallery’s role in elevating that work, remains at the core of what I do.
With Serious Play, I continue that legacy as a sounding board, a strategic partner, and a steady guide for those shaping the future of contemporary craft and design. It’s a space for people in transition or seeking clarity to feel seen and supported.
In a rapidly changing art world, Serious Play offers a way to move forward with purpose and integrity. I help my clients stay connected to their vision while adapting wisely. That’s a future I’m proud to be part of.
Has your outlook on your personal creative endeavors changed since you established Serious Play, and if so, how?
Ivan Barnett: Yes, it’s changed, and in ways I didn’t expect. Serious Play has given me the joy of supporting artists and galleries, but it’s also quietly brought me back to my own creative practice in a more personal way.
For years, my energy went outward, curating exhibitions and collaborating with jewelry makers and gallery professionals. It was meaningful work.
Now, as I guide others through questions of purpose and identity, I’ve started asking them of myself. I’ve returned to the studio—not to perform, but to explore and to play. It’s been grounding and energizing.
Today, I see my creative life and my role as a mentor as deeply connected. That shift has brought a sense of renewal. After years of helping others find their way, it feels like coming home.
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