In this video from February 2024, Hickory Museum of Art Executive Director Clarissa Starnes talks about her local ties and love of art and the museum.
Clarissa Starnes' vision to expand the Hickory Museum of Art is the next step in building on the dream Paul Whitener had when he created the museum.
"We are a community of creatives in so many different ways," Starnes, the museum's executive director, said. "I think because of that root in creativity, it makes sense that this would be the place that would rally around someone who had a dream that we should have an art museum, that Hickory should be an art center, that we should have a place where you can go and experience art work."
The 81-year old museum will close on Sunday, Aug. 31, at 4 p.m. with a celebration event in the south lobby of the building. Starting Sept. 2, the museum will undergo renovations for about one year.
"When people hear the museum is closing, there's a little anxiety around that," Starnes said. "But really, this is about community support and excitement. This project means we are going to the next level."
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Starnes said, "We're not shutting down, there are no sabbaticals. We're going on the road."
While the museum at the SALT (Sciences, Arts and Literature Together) is closed, Starnes said the museum will have a temporary home for classes, events and exhibits at Valley Hills Mall. Museum staff will also host events and exhibits at locations in the community.
Hickory Museum of Art Launches "HMA on the Go"
Starnes said the original estimate for renovation of the three-story museum was $5.1 million. The renovation will change the layout of the museum, add space for storage of collections, expand the catering kitchen and upgrade the educational wing.
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"Most of the things that we are working on, they're not aesthetics, they're need-based for us to be the museum that's continuing to move forward and get better shows," Starnes said.
Starnes said the changes will help the museum attract different exhibits it was not able to host in the past due to logistics and space limitations.
Starnes said the renovation will help the museum continue to meet the American Alliance of Museums accreditation.
Once renovations are complete, the museum will reopen in its current location on the SALT (Science, Art and Literature, Together) Block at 243 Third Ave. NE.
Starnes said patrons of the museum can expect to see an upgraded entrance, gallery space, education wing and technology.
"I think the thing we're most proud of is we're going from three classrooms on the first floor to four classrooms on the second," Starnes said. "One of those classrooms is a collaborative space, a classroom that will have programming run jointly by Hickory Museum of Art and Catawba Science Center."
While the museum has met some fundraising goals for renovations, it needs more money for its endowment fund to build sustainability.
"We're still raising money," Starnes said. "We feel very prepared and comfortable moving forward with the project. We'd love to see the community continue support to help us get to that $7.5 million goal."
To learn more about the "Uncrate the Future" campaign, visit hickoryart.org/uncratethefuture.
Billy Chapman is a reporter with the Hickory Daily Record.
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