Wilson Arts receives $400,000 pledge for makerspace renovation

The Martha Cheatham Hunter and Dr. William C. Hunter Family Foundation, a fund of the North Carolina Community Foundation, has announced its intent to give $400,000 over the next four years to support the remaining renovations at the Wilson Arts Center to include makerspace art studios.

Clyde P. Harris Jr., fund adviser to the Hunter Family Foundation, said the gift was made in honor of his cousin, William Hunter, and was inspired by the recent $500,000 commitment from the Healthcare Foundation to support the project.

“William Hunter, who created and funded the family endowment, grew up in Wilson and was a graduate of Ralph L. Fike High School and Davidson College,” Harris said. “He then served in Vietnam. After his two years in the Army, William taught school at Christ School in Asheville and enjoyed tennis and traveling around the world. William’s younger brother, Ted, was born with physical and intellectual special needs, and therefore he and his family always appreciated and supported programs and organizations that focused on those individuals,” Harris continued. “As administrator of the family endowment fund, I try to follow those wishes with donations to organizations that fulfill this community need.”

Martha Cheatham Hunter and Dr. William C. Hunter were notable figures in Wilson, according to Wilson Arts officials. She was known for her compassionate nature and civic responsibility, contributing to various local organizations. He was also deeply involved in the community, and their legacy continues through the fund’s work.

Harris has a long-standing history with Wilson Arts, having served as president of the organization during its early years in 1977-1978. He currently continues his dedication to the arts as a member of the Trustees of the Endowment Committee of the Wilson Arts Center.

The Martha Cheatham Hunter and Dr. William C. Hunter Family Foundation played a pivotal role in launching Wilson Arts’ Creative program, which provides arts opportunities for youth and adults with disabilities, according to Wilson Arts officials.

“We are incredibly grateful for this generous gift,” said Michael Moore, president of the Wilson Arts Board of Directors. “This significant pledge will allow us to move forward with our vision for an expanded programming that will foster creativity, innovation and community engagement for years to come. While we still have funds to raise, this brings us much closer to our goal.”

The makerspace renovations are part of a broader effort to enhance the facilities and programming at Wilson Arts, ensuring that the community has access to state-of-the-art resources for artistic and creative development. The renovations will include expanded areas for woodworking, ceramics, jewelry making and other creative disciplines. Central to this initiative is making the arts accessible to all people, which plays a crucial role in promoting mental health and overall well-being within the community.

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