Tony Barnes
Tony Barnes spent his early life in Southern California where childhood summers in the coastal wonderland of Carpenteria, CA established an early love of the water and interest in marine life. While still in his teens, in 1958, he received one of the earliest certifications available as a scuba diver. His high school years were spent at the small Thatcher school in Ojai, CA where an emphasis on self-reliance and personal responsibility also made a lasting impression.
In 1965, he received his BS in marine biology from UC Santa Barbara and then followed it, in 1969, with a PHD. From there, Post-doctorate studies led him around the world for many years until, in 1974, he first experienced Lago Atitlán, Guatemala and quickly fell in love with the textiles, country and people.
10 years later, continued International travel and import/export pursuits brought him back to Guatemala, this time for good. Between 1984 and 1992, Tony designed a unique and successful line of woven goods based on the traditional colors and designs of Guatemala. The effort, based in Panajachel, used native weavers and local materials and helped him make many longstanding contacts and friends in the Guatemalan highland community. In addition, the beautiful results were offered in the famous Smithsonian Catalog.
In the mid-nineties, Tony built a self-designed home along the shores of Lago Atitlán near Santa Cruz where he lives today. He continues to make his longstanding familiarity with the region and his many skillsets, insights and experiences available to various projects in the area, of which Niños del Lagos is one. During the past 2 years, acting as Treasurer for Niños del Lago, Guatemala, he has been instrumental in facilitating all site development for the project.
