Have you ever wondered where the heart of artistic expression beats at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill? Well, the Hanes Art Center UNC is exactly that vibrant core, a place where imagination truly takes flight and creativity finds a home. It's a spot where ideas, big and small, come to life, and where students and the community can connect with art in a really special way, you know?
Completed back in 1985, this building isn't just another structure on campus; it's the central hub for Carolina’s art and art history programs, a rather important place for anyone keen on the visual arts. It brings together so many different aspects of artistic study and practice under one roof, making it a truly comprehensive resource.
No matter if you are a student, a local artist, or just someone who enjoys looking at art, this center welcomes everyone. It’s a place where learning, creating, and experiencing art all happen together, and it’s always open for you to explore, basically.
Table of Contents
- History and Purpose: A Foundation for Art
- Unleashing Artistic Potential: Studios and Makerspaces
- Experiencing Art: Galleries and Events
- Finding Your Way: Location and Contact
- Frequently Asked Questions
History and Purpose: A Foundation for Art
The story of the Hanes Art Center UNC really begins with a vision for a dedicated space where art and art history could flourish. Completed in 1985, this building was created to serve as the central hub for Carolina’s art and art history programs, and it truly does that. It brought together various aspects of artistic study under one roof, something that was quite important for the university's growing arts community at the time. This centralization allowed for a more connected and collaborative environment, which is still felt today, you know.
A Central Hub for Creativity
As the central point for art and art history at UNC, the Hanes Art Center plays a really significant role. It's where students come to learn, where faculty conduct their research, and where the wider community can engage with the arts. This building, which also goes by the name The Frank Borden and Barbara Lasater Hanes Art Center, became the official home of the Department of Art and Art History. It allowed the department to bring all its activities into one spot, which was a pretty big deal for making things run smoothly and fostering a sense of shared purpose, so.
This space, originally designed with a clear purpose in mind, has continued to serve as a beacon for creative minds. It’s where theoretical learning meets hands-on practice, and where students can truly immerse themselves in their chosen artistic path. The idea was always to create a place that would support both the academic study of art and the actual making of it, and it has done that quite well, apparently.
The Department's Vision
The Department of Art & Art History, housed within the Hanes Art Center, is a truly active place for discovery, teaching, and learning. Its mission statement, which is "make/frame/reveal," pretty much sums up both its historical roots and its current way of doing things. This mission, you see, guides everything that happens within the center’s walls. It speaks to the idea of creating something new, giving it context, and then showing it to the world, which is a powerful concept.
We, as a community, really celebrate and welcome experiential strategies in our approach to art education. This means getting your hands dirty, trying things out, and learning by doing. It’s not just about reading books or listening to lectures; it’s about the direct experience of making art, understanding its process, and seeing its impact. This focus on hands-on learning is a core part of what makes the Hanes Art Center such a special place, honestly.
Unleashing Artistic Potential: Studios and Makerspaces
One of the things that makes the Hanes Art Center stand out is its commitment to providing exceptional facilities for creative work. Our spaces are truly designed to help artists of all levels explore and develop their skills. They are set up to encourage experimentation and provide the right tools for a wide range of artistic endeavors, you know.
State-of-the-Art Studios and Labs
Our spacious, modern facilities are a real highlight for anyone involved in art creation. Located on the second floor of the Hanes Art Center, these facilities include two rather large drawing studios and two large painting studios. These aren't just empty rooms; they are carefully designed spaces that give artists plenty of room to work, to spread out their materials, and to really focus on their craft. The natural light, the layout, and the overall feel of these studios are set up to inspire and support the creative process, basically.
The drawing and painting labs are open for use, providing a dedicated environment for students and faculty to practice and refine their techniques. Having these labs readily available means that artists have the consistent access they need to work on their projects, whether it’s for a class assignment or a personal exploration. This availability is pretty important for fostering continuous artistic development, as a matter of fact.
Open Access and Community Engagement
The Hanes Art Center is a place where you can truly participate in a variety of activities. You can join in open studios, which are great opportunities to work alongside others and get inspiration. There are also training sessions and workshops that help you learn new skills or improve existing ones. These sessions are often led by experienced artists and educators, providing valuable insights and guidance, so.
Beyond individual practice, the center is also a place where you can host classes and group activities. These spaces are equipped with a range of emerging technologies, like 3D printing, which allows for some really exciting new forms of artistic expression. Additionally, there are wood and metalworking shops available, meaning artists can explore sculpture and other three-dimensional works. This blend of traditional and modern tools makes the center a truly versatile place for creative work, really.
All of our events are open to the public, which is a key part of our mission. No matter who you are, you are welcome here, and we’d love to see you participate. This open-door policy ensures that the benefits of the Hanes Art Center extend beyond the university community, reaching anyone with an interest in art. It helps to build a broader artistic community in Chapel Hill, and that’s a good thing, you know.
Makerspaces: Beyond the Canvas
The Hanes Art Center is also home to one of the university's four makerspaces. These spaces are designed for the Carolina community to create, experiment, and innovate. While the Hanes Art Center makerspace focuses on artistic creation, other makerspaces at UNC are located in Murray Hall, Carmichael Residence Hall, and the Kenan Science Library, each offering slightly different tools and focuses. The presence of a makerspace within the art center means that students and artists have direct access to tools and technologies that go beyond traditional art mediums, pretty much.
In these makerspaces, you can bring your ideas to life using cutting-edge equipment. The mention of 3D printing, along with wood and metalworking shops, points to the diverse capabilities available. This means you can design something on a computer and print it in three dimensions, or you can craft a sculpture using traditional methods. It’s all about giving creators the means to realize their visions, and that’s a pretty important aspect of modern art education, honestly.
Having these resources available encourages a cross-disciplinary approach to art, allowing artists to blend different techniques and materials. It fosters a spirit of invention and problem-solving, which are valuable skills not just in art, but in many areas of life. The makerspace at the Hanes Art Center is, in a way, a playground for innovation, where ideas can truly take shape, so.
Experiencing Art: Galleries and Events
Beyond the studios and workshops, the Hanes Art Center UNC is also a place where you can simply enjoy art. It hosts exhibitions that showcase the work of students, faculty, and visiting artists, providing a space for contemplation and inspiration. These exhibitions are a way for the center to share the creative output of its community with a wider audience, and that’s a really nice thing, too it's almost.
The John and June Allcott Gallery
A key part of the Hanes Art Center experience is the John and June Allcott Gallery. This gallery is a dedicated space for showcasing various art forms and new exhibits. It serves as a window into the artistic endeavors happening within the department and beyond. For example, you might find an exhibit like "A Curious Rupture" opening on a Friday, July 11, 2025, which gives you a sense of the kind of thought-provoking and current art you can expect to see there, as a matter of fact.
The gallery is a place where contemporary art meets education. It’s where students can see professional work, where artists can present their creations, and where the public can engage with current artistic trends. Exploring these exhibitions is a chance to see different perspectives and to think about art in new ways. It’s an opportunity for everyone to connect with the artistic expressions that are being nurtured right here at UNC, in a way.
Public Welcome: Exhibitions and Workshops
The Hanes Art Center at UNC truly invites everyone to discover the vibrant creativity within its walls. It's a place where you can explore not only exhibitions but also workshops and other artistic expressions. The focus is on nurturing artistic talents amidst a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. This means that whether you are an aspiring artist or just someone
