Ribbon Cutting for Elm City Mural Honoring Coach Harvey Reid, Jr.

Wilson, NC – The Oliver Nestus Freeman Round House and African American Museum, in partnership with the Town of Elm City and Wilson Arts are pleased to invite the public to attend a ribbon cutting for the recently completed Coach Harvey Reid, Jr. mural by artist Max Dowdle.

The ribbon cutting ceremony will be hosted by the Wilson Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, December 12 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at 101 W Main Street, Elm City, NC 27822.

The mural celebrates Elm City’s rich basketball history and the remarkable achievements of Coach Harvey Reid Jr., a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer. Over his 42-year coaching career, Reid, who also served as a math teacher and athletic director, became North Carolina’s all-time winningest coach according to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA), with an impressive record of 816 victories and a 69-game winning streak. His profound impact as a mentor and educator in Elm City remains a source of community pride, even decades after his passing in 1991.

Artist Max Dowdle was selected from a competitive pool of applicants, with artists applying from as far away as Hawaii. This marks Dowdle’s second major mural project in the region, following his work last year on the African American Music Trail mural in downtown Wilson. His works are known for integrating local stories and community involvement to create lasting visual impacts.

“I am extremely honored as Mayor of the Town of Elm City, to have our town chosen to receive such a glimmer of hope that rides in on the brush strokes of Max, the partnership of Wilson Arts and the Oliver Nestus Freeman Round House Museum, and the generosity of the property owner, Russell Michael,” said Mayor Moore of Elm City.

“This mural is a tribute not only to Coach Reid’s athletic accomplishments but also to his lasting influence as a mentor who shaped the lives of countless students,” added Hardison.

Funding for the mural project was provided by the North Carolina Arts Council through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, designated to support public art initiatives across the state.

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About Wilson Arts:
Since 1967, Wilson Arts has been dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for Wilson County residents by serving as a hub for enriching, educational, and entertaining artistic experiences. Through gallery exhibits, performances, arts education, and creative events, Wilson Arts plays a central role in supporting the arts community. Learn more at www.wilsonarts.com.

About the Oliver Nestus Freeman Round House and African American Museum:
Opened in 2001, the Oliver Nestus Freeman Round House Museum is committed to preserving and showcasing African-American history, art, and culture. The museum serves as an educational resource for the community and the region, increasing awareness of African-American contributions to society.

About the Town of Elm City:
Elm City is a small, close-knit town located along Highway 301 between Wilson and Rocky Mount, NC. With a population of approximately 1,300, Elm City prides itself on being a welcoming community where neighbors know each other by name. Visitors are always encouraged to stop by and experience the charm of our town.

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Wilson Arts Moves Closer to Makerspace Renovation Goal with $400,000 Commitment from Martha Cheatham Hunter and Dr. William C. Hunter Family Foundation

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 Arts Receives $500,000 Grant to Advance Wilson Arts Center Project

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.

Wilson Times article: Foundation awards $6M grant to Barton health sciences efforts – Restoration NewsMedia
Healthcare Foundation of Wilson press release: Healthcare Foundation of Wilson NC | Health & Wellness