Hickory – HMA Honors is a new annual recognition event that highlights members of the Hickory Museum of Art family who have continually gone the extra mile for North Carolina’s second oldest art
museum. The museum is fortunate to count so many talented and deeply invested friends among our supporters. Each year, new recipients of this distinction will be selected, and the program will pay tribute to their efforts across different areas of the institution. Honorees will be celebrated during a fun, themed event, and will receive permanent recognition in the museum’s Entrance gallery.
The 2022 inaugural HMA Honorees are Joann Wilfong and Pat Viles. Executive Director Jon Carfagno expressed, “It is impossible to calculate the impact of the kindness, enthusiasm, and support that Joann and Pat so generously give to North Carolina’s second oldest art museum. It is safe to say that we would not be where we are today without their enormous efforts on behalf of the institution and our team.”
Joann Wilfong’s generosity and love for HMA has been a cornerstone of the museum for decades. A long-time friend of Paul Whitener and Mickey Whitener Coe, Joann is HMA’s longest serving volunteer. She has served as HMA Board President and a board member, on HMA’s Collection Committee for over 30 years, is a charter member of guildHMA and cites the museum as her greatest passion outside of her family.
Pat Viles is an international artist who has served as an HMA Board member. She has held exhibitions of her artwork in HMA’s galleries over the years and is an active participant in HMA’s bi-monthly Coffee in the Coe events. Her kindness and generosity are reflective in her volunteerism and the ample baked goodies she supplies to the Museum. She is passionate about HMA and would describe it to others as a gem. The inaugural HMA Honors event takes place Sunday, August 14th from 2-4 PM. Tickets are $35 or $25 for HMA members. Please contact HMA Development Manager, Lindsay Herrin, at [email protected] or 828-327-8576, ext. 205 for ticket details.
Photo: (L to R: HMA Associate Director, Clarissa Starnes, Honorees Joann Wilfong and Pat Viles, and HMA Executive Director, Jon Carfagno.
