About Us
Our Mission, Our Vision, Our Values
Our Mission
The mission of the Hiddenite Arts & Heritage Center is to serve and promote the talented local and regional artists and craftspeople at The Lucas Mansion and the Educational Complex. The Center endeavors to connect the public with the rich arts and cultural and natural heritage of the northwest NC region by making quality arts and heritage programming accessible for all. Additionally, the Center will build upon its role as the Alexander County Visitor Center highlighting the many qualities of Alexander County. The Center will also strive to improve its offerings at the Educational Complex including performing arts, visual arts, literary arts, pottery and quilting.
Our Vision
The Vision of the Hiddenite Arts & Heritage Center is to serve as a catalyst for economic development and tourism, supporting and uniting artists and craftspeople across regional northwest NC communities.
Our Values
The Hiddenite Arts & Heritage Center values are cultural inclusion, accessibility for all, mutual respect, creativity in all endeavors, self-expression, regional heritage and continuous learning for people of all ages and backgrounds.
Our History
The Hiddenite Arts & Heritage Center is a non-profit organization located in the Hiddenite community of Alexander County and serves the people of northwest North Carolina by providing quality arts and cultural heritage programming.
Founded as The Hiddenite Center by the late Eileen Lackey Sharpe and R.Y. Sharpe in May of 1981, the Center has profoundly impacted the region, inspiring generations of artists by providing opportunities to develop, express, and share creative talents. Now in its fourth decade, the Center continues to grow and thrive and adopted an enhanced brand name, The Hiddenite Arts & Heritage Center, in May 2015. With eyes firmly fixed on the future, the Center has embraced a renewed vision, an impactful mission, clear values, and a determination to offer new and innovative arts programming.
Partners in the Arts
The Hiddenite Arts & Heritage Center events, exhibits, and programs are made possible in part through the generous funding of the Eileen and R. Y. Sharpe Family Foundation, The Winston Salem Foundation, and the N.C. Arts Council, a Department of Natural & Cultural Resources division, the Sharpe Chair of Fine and Applied Arts, Alexander County government, the Town of Taylorsville, and the Friends of the Center membership program.
The Hiddenite Center wishes to thank its sponsors:
Emerald Hill Weddings and Gatherings
National Endowment for the Arts
Sharpe Chair of Fine and Applied Arts at Appalachian State University
Our Staff
The Hiddenite Arts & Heritage Center's Staff are ready to assist you with any questions you may have regarding tours, classes, events, or other Center activities.
Kara Smith, Executive Director
karahiddenitearts@gmail.com
Allison Houchins, Director of Education/Gallery Curator
allison@hiddenitearts.org
Jennifer Hester, Office Assistant
jenniferhiddenitearts@gmail.com
Susan Stidham, Finance
susanhiddenitearts@gmail.com
Wyatt Smith, Reception/Tours
Cathy Rhyne, Reception/Tours
Robert Walker, Maintenance Staff
Elijah Byers, Maintenance Staff
Roxanne Byers, Housekeeping
Shirley Flowers, Housekeeping
Our Sponsors
