Joan Everett Killian Company
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By The Joan Killian Everett Company
The arts in Hickory, NC run deeper than many newcomers expect, and that creative energy is one of the quiet pleasures of living in the Catawba Valley. From a museum that predates most in the state to a full symphony and a downtown dotted with murals, the local scene is worth exploring at any pace. Whether you have an afternoon or a whole weekend, here are our favorite ways to enjoy the arts in Hickory.
Key Takeaways
- Discover the Hickory Museum of Art and the historic SALT Block campus
- Experience live orchestral and choral music close to home
- Explore downtown galleries showcasing regional artists
- Take a self-guided tour of Hickory's public murals
Visit the Hickory Museum of Art
Anchoring the SALT Block downtown, the Hickory Museum of Art is the second-oldest art museum in North Carolina, founded back in 1944. Its home inside a dramatically renovated 1920s landmark building gives the galleries a sense of history before you even reach the collection. What keeps the museum rewarding on repeat visits is its blend of fine art and regional folk work you won't find grouped this way anywhere nearby.
What You'll Find Inside the Hickory Museum of Art
- General admission is free, spread across nine gallery spaces
- A permanent collection of more than 1,500 works spanning 19th- to 21st-century American art
- A long-term Southern folk art exhibit highlighting self-taught regional artists
- Rotating exhibitions plus hands-on adult classes and workshops throughout the year
Catch a Western Piedmont Symphony Performance
Hickory is home to its own professional orchestra, the Western Piedmont Symphony, which keeps live classical music thriving in the Catawba Valley. The organization is based at the SALT Block, alongside the region's other cultural institutions. Hearing a full orchestra perform close to home is a rare perk for a community Hickory's size, and the season gives you several chances to do it.
Why the Symphony Is a Highlight of Hickory's Arts Calendar
- A season of full orchestral concerts performed on area stages
- Guest soloists who bring fresh energy to familiar repertoire
- Chamber and smaller ensemble performances between mainstage dates
- Educational and community programming that reaches beyond the concert hall
Hear the Hickory Choral Society
For a different kind of live performance, the Hickory Choral Society has long been a source of local pride. With well over 100 voices, the ensemble fills a room in a way that recordings simply cannot capture. There is something distinctly communal about choral music, and this group has made it a Hickory tradition worth building an evening around.
What Sets the Hickory Choral Society Apart
- An ensemble of more than 100 singers drawn from around the area
- Seasonal concerts, including popular performances tied to the holidays
- Rehearsal and office space on the SALT Block campus
- A repertoire that ranges from classical works to contemporary arrangements
Explore Downtown Galleries Like Trade Alley Arts
Downtown Hickory has grown into a genuine destination for visual art, and Trade Alley Arts sits at the heart of that shift. The gallery and studio space puts regional talent front and center in a relaxed, come-as-you-are setting. Smaller galleries like this one offer something the larger institutions can't: a direct line to the artists still building their careers right here.
What Trade Alley Arts Offers Visitors
- Rotating exhibits featuring painters and makers from across the region
- Community art classes open to a range of skill levels
- Working studio space where creativity happens in real time
- Events that spill out into downtown and bring art to the streets
Take a Self-Guided Downtown Hickory Mural Tour
Some of the best art in Hickory is out in the open, painted across building facades and tucked into alleyways downtown. A self-guided mural tour is a low-key way to take it in on your own schedule. Public art has become part of Hickory's downtown identity, turning an ordinary walk into a chance to notice something new each time.
How to Make the Most of the Mural Tour
- Follow the self-guided route mapped across the downtown district
- Look for murals on both large facades and hidden alley corners
- Go whenever you like, since the tour is free and always available
- Pair your walk with a stop at a downtown coffee shop or restaurant
FAQs
Is the Hickory Museum of Art free to visit?
Yes, general admission to the Hickory Museum of Art is free, which makes it an easy stop any time of year. It is a great first introduction to the local arts scene for anyone new to town.
Where can I hear live music in Hickory?
The Western Piedmont Symphony and the Hickory Choral Society both perform seasonally, and downtown venues add to the mix year-round. We recommend checking their calendars ahead, since popular concerts can fill up.
What's the best way to explore the arts if I'm new to Hickory?
Start at the SALT Block to take in the museum and cultural campus, then work your way into the downtown galleries and murals. That route gives you a feel for both the historic and the up-and-coming sides of Hickory's arts.
Contact The Joan Killian Everett Company Today
At The Joan Killian Everett Company, we love helping people discover everything Hickory has to offer, and its arts scene is one of the first things we point newcomers toward. A great home is even better when it sits within reach of galleries, live music, and a downtown worth wandering.
If you're thinking about putting down roots in the Catawba Valley, reach out to us at The Joan Killian Everett Company. We'd be glad to help you find a home in Hickory that keeps all of this creativity close at hand.
If you're thinking about putting down roots in the Catawba Valley, reach out to us at The Joan Killian Everett Company. We'd be glad to help you find a home in Hickory that keeps all of this creativity close at hand.