Downtown Marion is gaining another space dedicated to showcasing and empowering local artists.
The former Pregnancy Help Center building, located at 326 Washington St., will become the home of the Kennedy Art Center, whose mission is to celebrate local artists and designers by hosting gallery exhibits and events.
The Kennedy Art Center was formed in partnership between Marion Design Co. (MDCO) director Wendy Puffer and Chris Kennedy, who is Marion Arts Commission co-chairman and president of Hartson-Kennedy Cabinet Top Co., Inc.
“This partnership holds a mutual mission to serve the community through the education of designers and creatives, opening opportunities for artists and arts organizations, and ultimately help grow the economy in Marion’s downtown,” Puffer said.
Since its beginning in 2016, Puffer said MDCO has attempted to find a permanent location on the downtown square. Originally, MDCO operated out of the Salin bank building, where MDCO leadership hoped to create an art center that would include an art gallery, studio space, makerspace, community gathering space, and conference rooms.
After years of moving from space to space, MDCO will finally have a permanent space, where they will conduct design work for the community and serve as the project manager for the Kennedy Art Center gallery.
Chris and his wife Kim have had a long time vision to launch an art center in Marion’s downtown.
The name was created during a collaborative tour of buildings as the team dreamed about how the space could be used to empower artists.
The name was chosen to honor Chris’ parents, William and Dorthea Kennedy, and grandparents, Leo and Nan Hartson, founders of Hartson-Kennedy, as well as other members of his family who were artistically gifted. Chris’ father, Ken Kennedy was the head art teacher at Marion High School in the late 1960s.
“Ken recently passed away last January and left a legacy that will become a significant part of building the foundation of the Kennedy Art Center,” Chris said.
The team chose the downtown space because of their common goal of revitalizing Marion’s downtown through creative artists, which Puffer said has been a common pathway toward sparking new economic growth in rural downtowns.
BDP Real Estate’s Phil Bowers, Jon Preusz, and Trent Dailey, approached Chris about their vision of a possible partnership with a purchase of 326 Washington St. The developers said while the Kennedy Art Center will operate on the first floor, the second floor will function as new apartments and an Airbnb.
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