Cathy Hardison

Cathy Hardison joined Wilson Arts as its Executive Director in November of 2017.  Originally from Lucama, she is a 2010 graduate of East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Painting and Drawing with minors in both Business and English.  Prior to coming to Wilson Arts, Cathy spent seven years as the Programs & Finance Director for Emerge Gallery & Art Center.  She managed two rotating gallery spaces featuring the work of local and regional emerging artists in an array of media and managing over 100 visual arts classes a year in painting, printmaking, photography, ceramics, and jewelry making.  She also taught community classes in painting and drawing to both adults and children at Emerge Gallery, led youth public art initiative called the Youth Public Arts Project, and worked in the hospital providing arts experiences to both adult and pediatric oncology patients.  In addition, her past experiences also include being a freelance balloon artist surrounding Disney World, working for Uptown Greenville (Greenville’s downtown revitalization effort), and contributor for the Greenville Times, a local magazine featuring arts, food, music and culture.  In Wilson, Cathy manages the Edna Boykin Cultural Center, a historic 600-seat venue that hosts live entertainment through the Boykin Series and the ACT! for Youth program, while also supporting the community through rentals.  She also oversees the Wilson Arts Center, which features a 5,000 sq. ft. gallery and event space with rotating exhibits, visual arts education for adults and youth, and the Creative HeARTS program, which provides arts opportunities for individuals with disabilities.  Last year, Wilson Arts hosted 666 gatherings, 406 performing arts rehearsals, 54 events, 73 days of classes, participated in 33 community events, and welcomed 35,864 visitors with the help of 564 volunteers.