THE HUTCHINSON ART CENTER

Our Mission Statement:

The Hutchinson Art Association, a non-profit organization, was founded in 1949 to promote the study and development of interest and education in the Fine Arts, and to promote and aid in the development of artists. To that end, the HAA will collect, preserve, document, interpret, research, and disseminate knowledge about both European and American Art of the 19th and 20th centuries, and facilitate the commercial activities of contemporary artists.

 Our Organization and Center:

The Hutchinson Art Center has three galleries that rotate different exhibitions at different times. One gallery always offers the sale of original work by regional contemporary artists. One gallery is usually used to exhibit a portion of our permanent collection. The largest gallery is used to host traveling and/or temporary exhibitions of any type of art that would be of interest to our members and community in general. The art center also has an education area that is constantly being used for different types of art classes for many different age groups. Through out the year we offer art education and appreciation course for youth in grades 1 - 8, provide field trip and tour opportunities for local groups and schools, as well as offering a summer arts program. We currently offer a Friday morning figure drawing class.

The Hutchinson Art Center Commercial Gallery:
Photos by Shawn E. Freeman

A portion of the Art Center's permanent collection can be viewed at this time. Since 1949 the Art Center has collected an impressive array of internationally recognized artists such as Birger Sandzen, Georges Roualt, Lester Raymer, Thomas Hart Benton, Romeo Tabuena, and Alex Potter. Many of our works are from regional painters. However, we have also collected works from art historically significant painters such as Roualt, who made his mark as a French Expressionist around the time of Matisse.

The Hutchinson Art Center Permanent Collection:
Photos by Shawn E. Freeman

A Brief History of the Hutchinson Art Association & Center:

    In the spring of 1949, a prolific group originated the Hutchinson Art Association.  After knocking on business door after business door, soliciting money the Association was able to host its first exhibition.  On June 12, 1949, a large crowd gathered to witness the showing.  In exchange for one dollar, the Art Association welcomed townspeople as new members.  Membership granted one an opportunity to glimpse the artworks from distant New York City’s American Federation of Art. Works from Andrew Wyeth, John Marin, and John Sloan highlighted an exhibition in the main auditorium.    Local and regional artists’ works hung proudly in nearby classrooms. 

    After this first successful showing, the Art Association began exhibiting works in the Public Library on North Main Street (now the Labor Temple).  In 1951 a new library was unveiled and with it a special auditorium expressly for Association exhibitions.  With the advent of the new gallery, membership dues rose to three dollars and members busily planned their gala opening.  The showstopper during this exhibition came from President Dwight David Eisenhower, himself.  The President was gracious enough to loan an oil painting to the event, reinforcing its success. 

In 1962, the Art Association gave birth to another one of its long traditions.  Cosponsored by the Hutchinson News the first annual Art Fair was a sensation.  Continuing today, the Art Fair has grown out of the Hutchinson News parking lot, where it first blossomed.  Every May numerous artists pepper the lawns of Avenue A Park to share and sell their wares. 

1965 marked a concentration on the one thing the Art Association desperately needed, its own home.  Stuart Awbrey and Nation Meyer were just two of the key players in the establishment of the Hutchinson Art Center in what was once the Hutchinson Jewish Center.  Dedicated on September 1, 1950, as the Jewish Center, the building at 1520 North Main went on the market in 1975 because the majority of the Jewish community had left Hutchinson.   The Art Association rallied to raise the forty thousand dollars needed to purchase the building.   

Fortunately, the Art Center and Art Association out grew this building as well and has come to reside at the current Washington Street location that opened in 1995.  Since the opening of the current facility in 1995 the Hutchinson Art Center has sought out new and improved endeavors.  The Art Center is proud of the vast expansion it has seen over the years.  With your continued support, the Hutchinson Art Association and Art Center will continue to grow and support Hutchinson’s artistic community.