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Hickory Museum of Art

Hickory Museum of Art
243 Third Avenue North East
828-327-8576

History
Paul Austin Wayne Whitener was the founder and first director of the Hickory Museum of Art. In 1935, the Hickory native and Duke University football player, spent the summer in Little Switzerland, North Carolina. It was there he met his future wife, Mildred McKinney Whitener Coe, and his career path would make a dramatic turn. He watched Mickey paint a mountain landscape and thought he would like to try his hand at it. Paul was a natural, and it was there his passion for art was born. Paul's artistic talent advanced rapidly. He enrolled in the Ringling Museum of Art's summer school in Little Switzerland, and later studied under notable artists, Wilford Conrow, Frank Herring and Donald Blake.

Paul's desire to share his own growing appreciation of art prompted him to announce his intention to start an art museum in Hickory, North Carolina, where he had been raised. Area residents shared his vision and in 1944 Paul Whitener's dream was realized, and the Hickory Museum of Art was established. Today, it is the second oldest art museum in North Carolina. Paul served as the first director until his death in 1959. Mickey became the director after his death and served in that position until 1995.

In 1986, the Hickory Museum of Art moved into its current location in the Arts and Science Center of Catawba Valley, initially built as Claremont High School. Our exhibitions feature our Permanent Collection of American Art and works borrowed from private collectors and other institutions. Click on the exhibitions tab on the left to see what is currently on display at the Museum. You can also learn more about what art HMA collects and features. 


Hickory Museum of Art is not affiliated with AmericanTowns Media
Upcoming Events at Hickory Museum of Art
Jun
04

Exhibition - 'I AM'

10:00 AM
Hickory Museum of Art Hickory, NC
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Jun
05

Exhibition - 'I AM'

10:00 AM
Hickory Museum of Art Hickory, NC
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Jun
06

Exhibition - 'I AM'

10:00 AM
Hickory Museum of Art Hickory, NC
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Jun
07

Exhibition - 'I AM'

10:00 AM
Hickory Museum of Art Hickory, NC
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Jun
08

Exhibition - 'I AM'

1:00 PM
Hickory Museum of Art Hickory, NC
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Jun
11

Exhibition - 'I AM'

10:00 AM
Hickory Museum of Art Hickory, NC
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Jun
12

Exhibition - 'I AM'

10:00 AM
Hickory Museum of Art Hickory, NC
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Jun
13

Exhibition - 'I AM'

10:00 AM
Hickory Museum of Art Hickory, NC
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Jun
14

Exhibition - 'I AM'

10:00 AM
Hickory Museum of Art Hickory, NC
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Jun
15

Exhibition - 'I AM'

1:00 PM
Hickory Museum of Art Hickory, NC
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Jun
18

Exhibition - 'I AM'

10:00 AM
Hickory Museum of Art Hickory, NC
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Jun
20

Exhibition - 'I AM'

10:00 AM
Hickory Museum of Art Hickory, NC
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Jun
21

Exhibition - 'I AM'

10:00 AM
Hickory Museum of Art Hickory, NC
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Jun
22

Exhibition - 'I AM'

1:00 PM
Hickory Museum of Art Hickory, NC
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Jun
25

Exhibition - 'I AM'

10:00 AM
Hickory Museum of Art Hickory, NC
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Photos