2016 Going On '17
A Look Back at Hickory Arts: 2017
As part of our tenth-anniversary reflection on the history of Hickory Arts, we continue looking back at the people, projects, performances, and partnerships that helped shape our studio and the creative community around us.
When we think of legacy, we often return to a quote from Shannon L. Alder:
“Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you.”
Legacy is not brick and mortar. It is how we choose to live, create, mentor, and invest in others.
A Brief Flashback Before 2017
Before stepping into 2017, it's worth revisiting a special moment from late 2016. Prior to a Hickory Arts House Concert, founders Jeff and Carol Anne Hartman released a compilation celebrating their unique “20-16” anniversary—20 years together and 16 years married.
Their story includes performances at Foothills Performing Arts, The Green Room Community Theatre, a wedding on stage at Hickory Community Theatre, and years of collaboration through music, theatre, and Hickory Arts itself. It remains a reminder that many of the relationships built through the arts become lifelong connections.
Original Work and Creative Collaboration
One of the things Hickory Arts has always valued most is original work.
In early 2017, several Hickory Arts students participated in The Quirky Quest to Find the Unicorn's Ukulele, an original production written and directed by playwright John David Brown III. Projects like these demonstrate the importance of encouraging young artists not only to perform but also to create.
Supporting original voices continues to be a cornerstone of our approach to acting lessons, artist development, and creative mentorship.
Photography, Film & Creative Services
Throughout 2017, Hickory Arts and Carol Anne Hartman Photography collaborated on numerous creative projects, promotional campaigns, and media productions.
Among them were continuing video projects for Catawba Medical Foundation, an organization with which we have maintained a long and meaningful partnership. These projects reflected our commitment to helping local organizations tell their stories through professional photography, video production, and creative services.
A promotional project featuring vocalist Caroline Collins and composer Peter Corneliussen also highlighted the collaborative nature of the regional arts community and the role creative professionals play in supporting one another.
The Hickory Arts House Concert Series
The Hickory Arts House Concert Series continued to provide opportunities for artists to perform original music in an intimate setting while connecting directly with audiences.
In March 2017, Artist Development student Clowee Issabelle performed her original composition, Consequences, during a House Concert appearance with Jeff Hartman. Events like these embody the mission of Hickory Arts: helping artists develop their craft while creating opportunities to share their work with the community.
House concerts remain one of the most distinctive aspects of Hickory Arts and continue to support both emerging and established artists.
Artist Development in Action
Artist Development has long been one of the most unique offerings at Hickory Arts.
A memorable example came in 2017 when former student Shannon Underwood returned during a break from performing as Elsa at Walt Disney World. Having spent nearly a decade studying acting, voice, songwriting, recording, and performance, Shannon's success reflected the type of long-term mentorship that inspired the creation of Hickory Arts.
The goal has never been simply to teach a lesson. It has always been to help artists grow over time through meaningful relationships, creative collaboration, and real-world opportunities.
Supporting the Arts Community
Hickory Arts has always believed that a healthy arts community is built through collaboration.
In April 2017, Hickory Arts supported a performance by Laurice Lanier as part of the Friends of John Catawba County Tour. The project was supported in part by the United Arts Council of Catawba County and demonstrated how artists, organizations, and supporters can work together to strengthen local arts opportunities.
Student Achievements
One of the greatest rewards of teaching is watching students take their next steps.
In May 2017, voice student Lea Urruty received her first "break-a-leg" as she entered the world of musical theatre through Flat Stanley at Hickory Day School.
Moments like these may seem small at the time, but they often become the beginning of lifelong journeys in performance, creativity, and confidence.
Life Around the Studio
Not every memory involves a stage, recital, or recording session.
Some of the most memorable moments are the unexpected ones—the friendships, laughter, inside jokes, and occasional squirrel invasions that become part of daily life at the studio.
These moments help define what Hickory Arts has always tried to be: not simply a place where lessons happen, but a creative home where artists can grow, collaborate, and belong.
Closing Out 2017
As 2017 came to a close, we celebrated the continued growth of many Artist Development students, including Savannah Spencer and numerous other young artists who would continue developing their skills through performance, songwriting, recording, acting, and creative collaboration.
Looking back, 2017 was a year filled with original work, student accomplishments, community partnerships, media production, and artistic growth. It was another chapter in the ongoing story of Hickory Arts and the artists who continue to shape it.
Continue the Hickory Arts 10th Anniversary Tour
This article is part of our Hickory Arts 10th Anniversary retrospective series. Additional entries from the anniversary tour can be found through the original Mailchimp archive:
