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Tuesday | May 20, 2014
Gallery space at the Hearst Center for the Arts.
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
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A real gem
Silver anniversary for Hearst Center for the Arts “There is a vitality to the center that I admire, and there always seems to be something going on — exhibitions, classes and workshops, one function or another.”
MELODY PARKER melody.parker@wcfcourier.com
CEDAR FALLS — Call it symmetry. In 1989, the James and Meryl Hearst Center for the Arts opened its doors with “The Art Sho,” a competitive exhibition showcasing about 50 Iowa artists. Now, 2 5 yea rs later, the center will soon open the “First Fifty” salon-style exhibition featuring the works of 50 Cedar Valley artists. The North American Review’s spring issue features a portrait of James Hearst created by Gary K e l l e y, a n d H e a r s t ’s poetry. The commemorative issue marks 40 years since Hearst appeared on the 1974 NAR cover. L o c a t e d a t 3 0 4 W. Seerley Blvd., the arts have flourished at the 12,000-square-foot Hearst Center. There are two galleries, three classrooms, meeting rooms, an intimate performance hall and expansive sculpture garden. The permanent collection includes Marjorie Nuhn paintings, Hearst’s poetry, original artwork by Kelley and illustrations from books for young readers. Mo re t h a n two m i llion visitors have passed through the doors since it opened on May 13, 1989. Executive Director Martin Arthur describes it as a valuable community resource. “It’s important for a community this size to have an arts center, and it’s an amenity that impresses visitors and people and companies looking to relocate,” he explains. Famous poet-farmereducator James Hearst and
— Hugh Pettersen,
gallery owner and founder of College Hill Arts Festival
NAR PHOTO
James Hearst illustration by Gary Kelley on Spring 2014 James Hearst, 1977 cover of the literary journal, that group,” says Beach. North American Review. “The center has become an absolute asset to the com- approached him myself. Lyle knew him very well. munity.” Pettersen, long-time art Their reaction was surgallery owner and founder prise because they’d never of the College Hill Arts thought about it before,” Festival, made the initial recalls Pettersen. suggestion to Baum that In 1986, the city accepted the couple be approached the gift and formed the about offering their home Cedar Falls Art & Culture to the city. Board to oversee the city’s “I was in awe of Jim at the time, or I’d have See Hearst, page 8
Call us for all your home improvement needs Hearst Center for the Arts his wife Meryl bequeathed their home, six adjoining lots and $305,000 to the city of Cedar Falls in 1983, designating that the home be used for a community arts center. “The parameters were set out in Hearst’s will that the house had to be remodeled into an art center.
It couldn’t be torn down and something built in its place. The city moved cautiously before accepting the gift, making sure there was financial and community support,” explains Mary Huber. She retired in 2013 after serving as executive director since 1989. Hearst’s will also created
a six-member task force — right down to listing the names of those he wanted to move the project ahead. Among the chosen were Dr. James McCutcheon, Nancy Redfern, Rosemary Beach, Lyle Baum and Hugh Pettersen. “I was so amazed, and I felt honored to be part of
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