Hickory, NC – Since May 5 and through July 15, 2018, Hickory native Paul Hunter Speagle’s colorful art and exuberant creativity will fill HMA’s Shuford Gallery with an event the artist calls Walking the Dog.
Opening Reception is on Friday, May 18, 2018. Meet Hunter Speagle surrounded by the exhibition of his art. Enjoy some Southern nibbles and drinks provided by Windy City Grill and Seventeen Twelve Southern Spirits. Plus, be the first to try your hand at the interactive elements that will debut at the party …picture giant functional beeswax crayons that you will use to draw on a gigantic coloring book and coloring images!
After furthering his education and art career in Savannah and New York, Paul Hunter Speagle returns to Hickory to pay homage to the landscape and culture he loves. At the Museum, Speagle will create an immersive environment where visitors can feel themselves stepping right into a landscape painting. The installation will also include a selection of alla prima paintings (a wet into wet technique of oil painting done in one sitting) of his beloved Grandfather Mountain. In designated creative areas in the gallery, visitors will be able to use giant functional crayons that Speagle engineers to color drawings of North Carolina Mountains in a mammoth coloring book designed by the artist.
The exhibition sponsored by Pepsi Bottling Co., Hickory, Margie Owsley, and The Friends of Hunter Speagle. Supported by a grant from the United Arts Council of Catawba County
On May 19th, come watch Hunter Speagle painting in HMA’s Shuford Gallery. Visitors will be able to observe his painting techniques as they watch a landscape on canvas fill with color and life!
On May 26th, paint with Hunter Speagle in an outdoors painting class (location to be determined). Students will meet at the museum and carpool to the location. Hunter will instruct students on his loose style of painting. Simple supply list will be e-mailed to participating students. Check HMA’s website closer to the date for the location and to register for the class. www.HickoryArt.org/learn. $50 Members | $65 Non-Members.
Hickory Museum of Art was founded in 1944 to collect, care for, and exhibit American art. Today, almost 75 years later, the Museum has evolved into an arts center featuring an extensive permanent collection of art objects across all mediums as well as offering a variety of education classes for all ages. Hickory Museum of Art is located on the SALT Block, 243 3rd Avenue NE, Hickory. Admission is free.
For more information about museum exhibitions, art classes, field trips, and events, visit www.HickoryArt.org or call Kelly Smith at the Museum, 828-327-8576 ext. 206.
Photo: Painting by Hickory native Hunter Speagle
