Thursday, June 4 at 7:05 PM Wilson Warbirds vs. Salem RidgeYaks Wilson Ballpark | 401 Goldsboro Street S |Section 114
Step up to the plate for an evening of baseball, community, and fun with the Wilson Warbirds — all in support of the Wilson Arts MakerSpace!
For every ticket sold through this fundraiser, $6 will directly support the Wilson Arts MakerSpace expansion project, helping create new opportunities for hands-on learning and creativity in our community through ceramics, metalsmithing, scene building/woodworking, and more.
Bring your friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors and help make a lasting impact while enjoying a great night at the ballpark!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Cathy B. Hardison Executive Director, Wilson Arts cathy@wilsonarts.com (252) 291-4329 www.wilsonarts.com/makerspace
Wilson Arts Announces $100,000 Challenge Opportunity to Advance MakerSpace Campaign
WILSON, NC — April 9, 2026 — Wilson Arts is inviting the community to rally behind an exciting new opportunity: a $100,000 challenge from Anonymous Trust that will double the impact of local support for its MakerSpace Capital Campaign.
If Wilson Arts raises $100,000 by July 31, the Anonymous Trust will match those funds unlocking a total of $200,000 to support the ongoing renovation and expansion of its downtown facility. This is an “all or nothing” challenge grant, meaning the full match will only be awarded if the $100,000 goal is met by the deadline.
“This is a powerful moment for our organization and our community,” said Cathy Hardison, Executive Director of Wilson Arts. “This isn’t funding that’s already in hand; it’s an opportunity. Every gift made between now and July 31 helps unlock these matching dollars and brings us one step closer to completing a space that is already taking shape and will soon serve Wilson for generations.”
The MakerSpace project will transform approximately 7,000 square feet of Wilson Arts’ existing building into a dynamic, hands-on creative hub featuring studios for ceramics, woodworking, metalsmithing, and more. The space is designed to support learners of all ages, provide workforce-ready skills, and foster creativity as a tool for mental wellness, personal expression, and community connection.
Wilson Arts has already raised $1.47 million toward the project, with construction currently underway and visible progress being made. The project began earlier this year to align with grant and funding timelines and is expected to be complete by the end of May. Total construction costs are estimated at $1.8 million, with additional funding still needed for equipment and program launch.
“This MakerSpace represents an investment in Wilson’s future,” said Blair Myers, Board President of Wilson Arts. “We’re creating opportunities for people of all ages to learn new skills, explore their creativity, and connect with one another. This challenge is an opportunity for our entire community to be part of something lasting and meaningful.”
“We’re asking our community to help us meet this moment,” Hardison added. “Whether it’s a first-time gift or continued support, every contribution matters. Right now, every dollar goes twice as far.”
Wilson Arts encourages individuals, businesses, and community partners to make a gift before the July 31 deadline to help unlock the full $200,000. Pledges can be made over three years, with flexible monthly, quarterly, or annual options. In addition to new contributions, increased gifts and lapsed gifts for the capital campaign over 18 months will count towards the challenge grant.
All donors contributing toward the project will be recognized as part of this transformational project.
For more information or to contribute, visit www.wilsonarts.com/makerspace or contact Cathy Hardison at (252) 291-4329 or cathy@wilsonarts.com.
About Wilson Arts
Wilson Arts is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the cultural life of Wilson County through visual arts, performing arts, and arts education. Through exhibitions, classes, performances, and community programs, Wilson Arts serves thousands of residents each year and is committed to making the arts accessible to all.
Pictured left to right: Kelly Lee, North Carolina Community Foundation; Clyde P. Harris Jr., Martha Cheatham Hunter and Dr. William C. Hunter Family Foundation; Cathy Hardison, Executive Director of Wilson Arts; Michael Moore, Board President of Wilson Arts
Wilson, NC The Martha Cheatham Hunter and Dr. William C. Hunter Family Foundation, a fund of the North Carolina Community Foundation, announced its intent to give $400,000 to support the remaining renovations at the Wilson Arts Center to include makerspace art studios over the next four years.
Clyde P.Harris Jr., fund advisor to the Hunter Family Foundation, said the gift was made in honor of his cousin, William Hunter, and was inspired by the recent $500,000 commitment from the Healthcare Foundation to support the project.
“William Hunter, who created and funded the family endowment, grew up in Wilson and was a graduate of Ralph L. Fike High School and Davidson College,” Harris said. “He then served in Vietnam. After his 2 years in the Army, William taught school at Christ School in Asheville and enjoyed tennis and traveling around the world. William’s younger brother, Ted, was born with physical and intellectual special needs and therefore he and his family always appreciated and supported programs and organizations that focused on those individuals,” Harris continued. “As Administrator of the family endowment fund, I try to follow those wishes with donations to organizations that fulfill this community need.” Harris explained.
Martha Cheatham Hunter and Dr. William C. Hunter were notable figures in Wilson, North Carolina. Martha was known for her compassionate nature and civic responsibility, contributing to various local organizations. Dr. William C. Hunter was also deeply involved in the community, and their legacy continues through the fund’s work.
Harris has a long-standing history with Wilson Arts, having served as president of the organization during its early years in 1977-1978. He currently continues his dedication to the arts as a member of the Trustees of the Endowment Committee of the Wilson Arts Center.
The Martha Cheatham Hunter and Dr. William C. Hunter Family Foundation has also played a pivotal role in launching Wilson Arts’ Creative program, which provides arts opportunities for youth and adults with disabilities.
“We are incredibly grateful for this generous gift,” said Michael Moore, President of the Wilson Arts Board of Directors. “This significant pledge will allow us to move forward with our vision for an expanded programming that will foster creativity, innovation and community engagement for years to come. While we still have funds to raise, this brings us much closer to our goal.”
The makerspace renovations are part of a broader effort to enhance the facilities and programming at Wilson Arts, ensuring that the community has access to state-of-the-art resources for artistic and creative development. The renovations will include expanded areas for woodworking, ceramics, jewelry making, and other creative disciplines. Central to this initiative is making the arts accessible to all people, which plays a crucial role in promoting mental health and overall well-being within the community.
Wilson Arts continues to be a cornerstone of the Wilson community, driving economic development, social cohesion, and cultural enrichment through its diverse programs and initiatives.
About Wilson Arts:
Wilson Arts is dedicated to improving the quality of life in Wilson through a variety of educational and artistic programs. With a commitment to inclusivity, accessibility, and community engagement, Wilson Arts supports a wide range of creative endeavors and partnerships that contribute to the cultural and economic vitality of the region.
About the Martha Cheatham Hunter and Dr. William C. Hunter Family Foundation:
The Martha Cheatham Hunter and Dr. William C. Hunter Family Foundation, a fund of the North Carolina Community Foundation, focuses on supporting education, health care, economic development and environmental initiatives in communities where the Hunter family has a presence.
The North Carolina Community Foundation brings together generous people and connects them to causes and organizations they care about, with a focus on inspiring lasting and meaningful philanthropy in the state’s rural communities. For more information, visit nccommunityfoundation.org.
Wilson, NC. (August 7, 2024) – Wilson Arts is thrilled to announce the receipt of a generous $500,000 grant from the Healthcare Foundation of Wilson. This funding will support the construction of cutting-edge educational makerspace studios at the Wilson Arts Center, marking a significant milestone in the completion of phase 2 of our ambitious renovation project.
A makerspace is a community oriented workspace where people can come together to create, learn, and collaborate on various projects. Equipped with tools, materials, and resources that cater to a wide range of interests—such as woodworking, pottery, metalworking, and more—these makerspace studios will serve as hubs of creativity and innovation. The key idea behind a makerspace is fostering creativity, collaboration, learning, and a sense of community. Whether you’re a hobbyist, an artist, an engineer, or just curious, a makerspace provides the environment and tools to explore and create.
“The Healthcare Foundation of Wilson is a proud partner in this exciting project. The expansion will provide space for new programs that will be available for all ages of the Wilson community,” said Paula Benson, Executive Director of Healthcare Foundation of Wilson. “The programming proposed by Wilson Arts will offer many opportunities that support mental health and active living. We are also excited that this programming will be available to youth participants of Y-GIG, the after-school program funded by the Foundation.”
The grant comes on the heels of the successful completion of phase 1 in 2021, a $2.3 million endeavor that laid a strong foundation for the continued development of the Wilson Arts Center. With this latest financial boost, Wilson Arts is poised to finish the remaining renovation work and fully realize our vision of a vibrant, interactive educational hub.
As an organization now proudly debt-free, Wilson Arts is in a position of financial stability that will allow us to advance confidently into the next phases of our renovation project. The completion of phase 2 will not only enhance our facility but also expand our capacity to foster creativity and learning within the community.
The arts play a crucial role in promoting mental and physical well-being. Engaging in artistic activities offers a non-medical approach to mental health prevention, potentially reducing the need for more traditional health services. By nurturing creativity, individuals can take greater responsibility for their own health, maintain independence, and enhance their quality of life through the joy and fulfillment that art brings.
Scientific studies, including those available at the National Library of Medicine, highlight the positive impact of art on both mental and physical health. Art has been shown to increase serotonin levels, boost blood flow to pleasure centers in the brain, and promote new ways of thinking. These effects contribute to improved mental health, reduced anxiety and blood pressure, and an overall better sense of well-being.
Wilson Arts is excited to continue this journey and looks forward to the future with optimism, as we work to create a space where the arts can flourish and positively impact our community. If you are interested in making a directed donation towards the Wilson Arts makerspace project, please reach out to Cathy Hardison, Wilson Arts Executive Director, at cathy@wilsonarts.com or by phone at 252-291-4329 x 105.
Step up to the plate for an evening of baseball, community, and fun with the Wilson Warbirds — all in support of the Wilson Arts MakerSpace!
Purchase tickets online (look for the “GET TICKETS” button)
