Today we’d like to introduce you to Hilary Gent.
Hi Hilary, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am the director and owner of HEDGE Gallery in Cleveland, Ohio, located within the78th Street Studios. I am also an artist, creating oil and latex paintings inspired by the urban landscape, Lake Erie and other natural water sources in Northeast Ohio.
I graduated from Kent State University with a Bachelor’s in Fine Art and concentration on painting in 2003.
HEDGE Gallery opened in the 78th Street Studios complex, where I was initially looking for a space for an artist studio. I had a desire to operate a venue that promoted emerging regional artists and support creative individuals, especially those coming right out of art school, and although I didn’t initially know I was imagining an art gallery business, that is what evolved.
I’ve spent the last sixteen years staging public art exhibitions, launching art walks, and planning elaborate receptions for individuals and organizations, all of which have transformed the way residents and visitors view the Northeast Ohio Region. In economic development terms, my motivation to present the arts as a vehicle for elevating a neighborhood has provided urban planners with prime elements upon which to build larger community plans, resulting in programming that has stimulated the entire Gordon Square Arts District neighborhood.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I don’t think running a business ever is smooth sailing, but that’s how we learn the most important lessons and new directions that often take us on better pathways.
Many of the struggles I deal with revolve around work/ home life balance and communication.
I’m a “doer” in most areas of my life, so it’s hard to put work away and turn that part of my brain off.
Having a child has actually helped me in many ways; to stay more present, to wait, and then wait some more, have patience, and grace for myself and others.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an art gallery director and curator which means my team plans, installs, hosts and promotes art exhibitions in our space, HEDGE Gallery. We primarily focus on regional artists from the Northeast Ohio area.
We represent regional artists, so we assist in promoting their careers in our exhibition schedules and with our corporate, residential and museum clients.
We also specialize in art services, which includes helping clients choose artwork for their locations, design proposals and budgets for large scale corporate and residential projects, delivering the final art selections and professionally installing them.
I paint as well, and am honored and proud to list that my work can be found in public collections including the Cleveland Clinic, Summa Hospital, The American Heart Association, Cleveland Art Association, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and Hilton Hotels Corporation, and am part of many private collections.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Patience, humility and grace.
I have learned over the years to have grace for the mistakes I make, and take that into account for all of the people I have the blessed opportunity to work with. We are all human, so listening and not taking thing personally is very important too.
I would need 1,000 more words to go over all of the lessons I’ve learned! I look forward to the challenges to come, and all that there is to continue learning; I often feel like I’ve only just begun.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hedgeartgallery.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hedge_gallery/?hl=en
- Facebook: HEDGEGallery
