Our Story
Meet Joanna Malcolm
Harmony Within is located on Joanna’s beautiful farm property in Nestleton, ON where she has lived for 45+ years.
She is an accomplished artist, known for her captivating and evocative creations inspired by her love of the natural world.
Joanna believes that art has the transformative power to connect and empower individuals - and it is this passion that drove her to launch Harmony Within.
“I believe everyone should have access to the healing and harmony that art, music and nature offers.”
In 2023, she set to work sourcing a century-old barn and the team capable of relocating it onto her property.
The result is a majestic, historical building restored to its original beauty, and a serene space open for all to enjoy.
The Barn Circa 1875/2023
A dream come true.
I’ve always been in love with old barns. Being raised on a dairy farm in Cartwright, I spent many a happy hour playing and working in our family farm’s historic bank barn.
In 2005, our family barn tragically burnt to the ground and it became somewhat of an obsession of mine to move one to our property in Nestleton. Not many of these grand structures were left. I was determined.
Fast forward to the fall of 2022. Covid... what a time! It changed us all. What I did learn was that every one of us was missing connection - with each other and with nature. I set out to share my space with those of us seeking what we had lost years ago…
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My mom and dad’s barn had been rebuilt by the Mennonites. I had been to a barn raising in Pennsylvania eons ago so logically I approached the Mennonites in Lindsay. Who better to know such a skill set and what a team!
New Heights Construction Inc. and I were totally in sync. We were passionate about preserving the past and recreating the life and labour of those who had hewn the beams out of the forests of Canada. I can still feel the heartbeat of the trees in the posts and beams.
The barn is 30x50ft and was relocated from Kawartha Lakes. Each post and beam carefully disassembled and tagged, transported to Nestleton and reconstructed onto a poured foundation throughout January and February of 2023. That’s right, right in the dead of winter!!! I owe a heap of gratitude to Curvin and Lemar Brubacher and their team. What work ethic and skill!
I held my first event that summer. We had created the barn at Harmony Within Farm. My dream had become a reality. I had created a space to
BRING HARMONY AND HEALING THROUGH ART, MUSIC AND NATURE.
The Artist
Joanna's love for nature is beautifully reflected in her artwork, and she has become well-known for her visual symphony of colours, textures, and emotions.
There is no better place to draw inspiration than spending time painting and creating surrounded by her beautiful forest property. A pastime like no other.
Her artwork has been showcased in numerous exhibitions and galleries - and also extends to multiple children's books and her collection of greeting cards.
“I believe everyone should have access to the healing and harmony that art, music and nature offers.”
- Joanna Malcolm - Founder, Harmony Within
