Welcome to The Insider Series, where we highlight the visionaries, entrepreneurs, and creators who call Work & Social home. These are the people shaping industries, launching bold ventures, and making an impact—inside and outside our private office space and coworking community.
This week, we sit down with Jon Barnett—a builder, an innovator, and soon, the founder of a new art gallery in Raleigh, the Work of Art Gallery. Jon’s story isn’t just about construction—it’s about merging design, culture, and creativity into something unforgettable.
Name:
Jonathan Barnett
Profession:
Owner, Karma Construction Group and Work of Art Gallery
Member Since:
March, 2024
Membership:
Private Office
For Jon Barnett, art has always been more than just something to admire—it’s been a way of life. His father, Jonathan W. Barnett, was the head chef at Art Basel Miami for years, one of the most prestigious art fairs in the world.
As a result, Jon grew up with VIP access to Art Basel, surrounded by renowned artists, collectors, designers, and tastemakers. While most kids were flipping through comic books, Jon was walking through exclusive galleries, experiencing high-end art, architecture, and luxury culture firsthand.
This early immersion in the art world planted the seed for what would become his next major venture—merging art, design, and high-end spaces in a way Raleigh hasn’t seen before.
Jonathan W. Barnett. at the South Beach Food & Wine Festival in 2012
Q: You’ve built a multi-million dollar construction business across several states. How did that happen?
Jon Barnett: “I started small—taking on construction projects, flipping homes, and scaling up. Over time, I built a multi-million-dollar business across seven states, designing everything from high-end residences to commercial spaces and clubs. But my real passion was always in design—how spaces make people feel, how art transforms a room. I knew I’d find a way to bring those two worlds together.”
Q: You’ve always been into art. Where did that passion come from?
Jon Barnett: “I grew up around art—my family collected pieces, but I was never just a collector. I wanted to create an experience with art. I’ve always been obsessed with Architectural Digest, the way design and art blend to shape environments. That got me thinking—how can I integrate that into my world?”
His exposure to Art Basel’s elite art scene and the luxury hospitality industry from his father’s career deepened his understanding of art as a cultural force—not just as decoration, but as a way to transform spaces and tell stories.
At Work & Social, Jon found the perfect coworking space to explore creativity, network with like-minded professionals, and bring his vision to life.
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Q: You’re launching an art gallery. Why Raleigh?
Jon Barnett: "Raleigh is experiencing a major transformation. The city is growing rapidly, attracting top talent in technology, business, and design, yet the high-end art scene hasn’t fully caught up. There’s a huge opportunity to introduce something fresh—something that blends luxury, creativity, and cultural influence in a way that Raleigh hasn’t seen before.
I wanted to create a gallery that feels like an extension of my background—high-end, immersive, and design-driven. Work of Art isn’t just about displaying paintings; it’s about crafting an entire experience that merges fine art, luxury spaces, and storytelling. Raleigh is ready for that."
Q: How did you choose Car Space as the location for the gallery?
Jon Barnett: "Car Space is more than just a place—it’s a hub that brings together community, business, art, and creativity. I chose to make it the headquarters for my general contracting business and, a year later, I knew it was the place I wanted to open my gallery.
As a tenant, I’ve seen firsthand how thoughtfully it was designed. With Work & Social on-site, it naturally attracts entrepreneurs, investors, and creatives who align with the kind of audience we want at the gallery.
What truly makes Car Space the perfect fit is its automotive gallery. The gallery already features rare and exotic cars displayed as art sculptures, seamlessly blending high-performance engineering with contemporary fine art. Cars, like art, are expressions of design, craftsmanship, and vision, and we’re creating a space where those worlds collide in a powerful way."
Q: How does the gallery tie into your background in real estate and construction?
Jon Barnett: "For me, art isn’t just decoration—it’s the soul of a space. When you walk into a high-end home, an office, or a club, the right art sets the tone. It adds character, depth, and energy. It makes the space come alive."
"With Work of Art, I want to redefine how people see art in real estate and commercial design. Whether it’s staging luxury properties or curating art for high-end office spaces, my goal is to show people the impact that art can have in transforming environments. This isn’t about hanging paintings on a wall—it’s about creating an experience."
Q: Tell us about the first artist you’re featuring, Max Wiedemann. How did that collaboration come about?
Jon Barnett: "Max is one of those artists who completely blurs the line between graffiti, high fashion, and pop culture. His collectors include legends like Bono, Karl Lagerfeld, and Kate Moss, and he’s exhibited in London, Paris, New York, Miami, and LA.
"I met Max at a pool party in Miami—because, of course, that’s where you meet an internationally known artist! We hit it off, and our conversation turned into something bigger. One thing led to another, and now he’s headlining Work of Art’s first major exhibition."
"And let’s just say that pool party involved more than just art talk—a few creative ideas, a little bold networking, and maybe even a minor ‘reconstruction project’ around the pool. But that’s a story for another time!"
Q: Are you and Maximilian Wiedemann bringing anything new to the gallery that will stand out? Something unique we haven’t seen before?
Jon Barnett: "Absolutely. Work of Art has commissioned a first-of-its-kind collection of pieces by Max that celebrate some of the most iconic figures in automotive, racing, and culture. The collection will feature artwork inspired by legendary figures like Paul Walker, Enzo Ferrari, and Ayrton Senna, among others."
"This is something truly special. Max’s artistic style—bold, edgy, and deeply connected to luxury culture—blends perfectly with Car Space’s automotive theme. The gallery will showcase cars as art sculptures, seamlessly integrating high-performance machines with high-end contemporary art."
"We see cars as more than just machines—they’re masterpieces of design, engineering, and craftsmanship. The gallery will highlight that synergy, displaying Max’s artwork alongside some of the most exotic and rare vehicles in the world. It’s a space where art and automotive culture collide in the best possible way."
For entrepreneurs, creatives, and business leaders, Work & Social offers more than just coworking and private offices. It’s a community of innovators, doers, and visionaries.
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