Jon Carfagno,
HMA Executive Director
HMA has been transformed into a celebration of the creativity, vision, and ingenuity of self-taught artists. From the moment you enter the museum’s galleries, you will be overcome by this explosion of color, materials, and new ideas, which leave you breathless and inspired!
On loan from The Henry Ford, The Improvisational Quilts of Susana Allen Hunter tells the story of a remarkable woman’s drive to convert everyday materials into awe-inspiring works of contemporary art. Living in the impoverished community of Wilcox County, Alabama, Hunter used scraps of her family’s clothing to create abstract designs that reflect life in rural West Alabama, as well as her experience as an African American woman. We are also looking forward to the debut of 25 recent gifts from Albert Keiser, Jr. His generous donation has brought masterworks by leading voices in the Southern Contemporary Folk Art tradition, including Purvis Young, Bessie Harvey, and many more! These new acquisitions will be complemented by never-before-seen loans from regional collectors, as well as new conversations between objects in our permanent collection.
Portrait of Susana Allen Hunter, June 1960
Susana Allen Hunter [1912-2005], “Pig Pen Quilt “(also called Housetop or Log Cabin), c. 1950-1955, cotton prints and solids, denim with backing from cornmeal sacks, from the Collections of the Henry Ford, 2006.79.25. Image from the Collections of the Henry Ford, THF73651.
8th Annual Autolawn Euro Classic Car Show, Saturday, September 11, 2021
You have likely witnessed how our new FY 2021-2025 strategic plan is driving the continued evolution of North Carolina’s second oldest (but most innovative!) art museum. The launch of a newly-designed website was a key action item in our road map for the future. We are grateful for our collaboration with Jackson Creative, which has yielded an intuitive, user-friendly on-line hub for all things HMA. The plan also outlines how we will partner expansively with organizations and leaders across Catawba County (and beyond!) to make our region an even more vibrant place to call home. The return of Autolawn represented the best of this commitment, we are appreciative of the efforts of the event’s organizers Kit Cannon (HMA Board Vice President) and Charlie Zagaroli, as well as the many volunteers who worked together to make this day a great success!
Our team is so very thankful for the love and support that you continue to bring to Hickory Museum of Art. Our recently launched “Let’s Make It Happen Together” annual fund drive is the greatest enabler of the continued growth and impact of HMA. We hope that you will plan to deepen your investment in our mission when considering your contribution this year.
We can all use moments that connect us with others and help us see the world anew! Thank you for believing in HMA’s ability to make a difference in our community.