Outlook on Hickory Arts
In Tune With the Arts
BY BARBARA BURNS
onenews@observernewsonline.com
In Tune With the Arts
By Barbara Burns
Jeff Hartman and Carol Anne Hartman have a lot in common—both are artists, educators, and passionate advocates for the arts. Their shared vision for creative education and community involvement eventually led them to create Hickory Arts.
The couple first met during The Green Room Community Theatre's 1996 production of Broadway's longest-running musical, The Fantasticks.
"I also fell in love with my wife, Carol Anne, then," Hartman said. "We both were in the production and later married at Hickory Community Theatre—on the stage."
Over the years, Hartman became deeply involved in theatre, music, education, and artist development throughout the region. Along the way, he developed a philosophy about teaching that would eventually become the foundation of Hickory Arts.
In August 2011, Hartman and his wife helped occupy a 70-year-old house on Highland Avenue. They created a place for art, theater, and music teachers to have the opportunity to earn what they deserve.
Unlike most other establishments, the teachers who used the building were able to set their own prices and pay a much lower overhead.
"I worked at other studios, and I have been teaching privately since I was in college," Hartman said. "The problem becomes when teachers have to have a ridiculous amount of students just to make what they need."
Hartman said the need is tremendous for a place where lesson fees are reasonable and where a variety of art teachers are—all under one roof.
The Hartmans' studio on Highland Avenue didn't work out. The tenant on one floor went to Internet sales, and the Hartmans didn't need or want both floors.
They found their present location through a mutual friend. The house had been rezoned years ago and served as an accountant's office.
"It was perfect," Hartman said. "The office rooms looked like session rooms."
Located on Second Avenue SE in Hickory, Hickory Arts is up and running.
Hartman said the aim is not to be in competition with anybody. They simply want to do the best they can for their students, no exceptions.
"The key to this business is personal relationships," Hartman said.
"It's the Jerry Maguire mantra, and unfortunately, it escapes most public schools and teaching studios."
Hartman explained that in the movie, Jerry Maguire had a long list of clients, was fired, and asked his coworkers who was coming with him. Only Maguire's secretary went with him, and he ended up with one client. But he made more of a difference in that client's life than in all of his other clients.
"This is something we're fortunately in a position to offer," Hartman said.
"I would rather have a small roster of students and give them dedication—there's a lot more to it than the number of students."
For Hickory Arts, it's all about staying small and simple. It is reflected in the studio's mission statement:
"Quality over quantity... Ask not what your students can do for you; ask what you can do for your students... Give a man a fish... You get the picture. Hickory Arts is dedicated to responding to the needs of up-and-coming artists of all ages by providing premium private instruction and opportunities for artists and educators alike."
"It's not a factory," Hartman said.
Hartman is a vocal coach, but he also teaches vocal technique, which is the fundamentals of how the voice works.
"How to breathe, marking words when singing, diction, enunciating," he said. "I also teach vocal health—how the vocal cords work."
Hartman compares Hickory Arts to a specialized practice.
"We're a specialized studio," he said. "Compare it this way: going to a general practitioner versus a medical specialist."
In addition, Hartman teaches singer/songwriter development, piano, guitar, and private acting coaching.
Hartman's wife, Carol Anne, teaches photography.
"We want to be all-encompassing—we want everything under the creative umbrella, not just music and theater," Hartman said.
Also, it's not an immediate sign-up for lessons.
"If someone is interested in studying here, we meet and find out what they want, their level, their expectations," Hartman said.
Hickory Arts also wants to reach homeschool students in the area.
Many homeschool families seek opportunities for arts education and creative enrichment, and Hartman believes Hickory Arts can help meet that need.
Community involvement is central to what the Hartmans do.
"It's exciting to have this many opportunities to work with the arts community," Hartman said.
Not only is there a need in the community for a place where art teachers won't be charged immense overhead, but there is also a need for a place where the community can find a variety of art teachers.
The Hartmans aren't stopping at art, music, and theater teachers, though. They want to open the doors for cabaret events, local artists to showcase their work, classes, workshops, and whatever else the community may need.
The main room in Hickory Arts is approved for occupancy by 40 people, which is just fine with the Hartmans.
"It's perfect for cabaret performances or to rent out for business meetings," Hartman said. "We hope to continue expanding opportunities for performances, workshops, and acting programs."
They're also interested in talking with anyone interested in teaching an art, whether it be crochet, knitting, painting, or another creative discipline.
And they go on the road, too.
The Charlotte Film Festival asked Hartman to judge music scores for several films being considered for its 2012 awards.
"They called and said they'd like me to judge the music score in five films," Hartman said.
The opportunity reflected Hickory Arts' growing involvement in creative projects beyond the walls of the studio.
Closer to home, Carol Anne helped judge 89 Rotarian Idol contestants and narrow the field to 20 finalists. Hartman offered free vocal coaching to all of the finalists.
"It's something I want to offer," he said. "A lot of people don't know where to find tracks and edit."
The Hartmans want Hickory Arts to be well-connected—a hub of sorts—and continue working with organizations such as The Green Room Community Theatre, Hickory Community Theatre, and other arts organizations throughout the region.
Hickory Arts provides a number of ways for the public to keep a finger on the pulse of the studio and the arts community through social media, video, events, performances, and educational programming.
Visit Hickory Arts online or stop by and see what they're building.
"We're open whenever we need to be," Hartman said.
Originally published in The Outlook by The Observer News Enterprise.