The Hudgens’ Art of Giving Campaign provides critical resources for quarterly exhibitions, educational programs and expansion of collaborative community relationships like the Healing Arts program. For more than 20 years the Hudgens Center for the Arts has encouraged and inspired the community through its impressive permanent collection, quality exhibits, and educational experiences.
Mary S. Kistner, now deceased, was an art activist in her day and was a long time supporter of the Hudgens Center for the Arts. Kistner was very passionate about sharing her love of art with the community, so prior to her death she established an endowed fund at the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia that was designed to leave a legacy of giving to the arts for generations to come. Judy Waters explains, “This gift from the Kistner Fund embodies the very spirit of Mary Kistner. Mary’s wish was to ensure that arts continued to thrive in our community long after she was gone and this gift is a tremendous investment in ensuring just that.”
Teresa Osborn, Executive Director of the Hudgens Center shares, “Every morning we all walk through the Mary S. Kistner Atrium and are reminded of Mary’s passion for the arts. Mary’s charge to us was to always stay true to our mission to bring art lovers, leaders and learners together to enrich our community. Mary’s legacy lives on and this gift will be invested in all the things Mary believed in so much.”
The $5,000 challenge grant offers others in the community the opportunity to make a gift that will be matched with Mary’s dollars. Bill McCargo, Chairman of the Hudgens Center Board says, “It can only make you smile to know that even posthumously Mary is still challenging us all to grow the arts. We believe other art lovers will step forth and help grow the legacy Mary left for us all to enjoy.”
To learn more about how you can leave a legacy gift through the Community Foundation, visit www.cfneg.org. To learn more about the Hudgens Center for the Arts, visit www.thehudgens.org.
