KENNEDY ART CENTER INTERIOR + EXTERIOR DESIGN.
Overview.
Beginning in 2018, Marion Design Co. has partnered with Chris Kennedy to establish a design studio and art gallery, a project which has now developed into the Kennedy Art Center at 326 S. Washington St. in downtown Marion. Marion Design Co.’s mission to collaborate and cultivate community has been reflected throughout the building design process.
A recent view of the Kennedy Art Center’s exterior in downtown Marion.
Background.
Soon after partnering with Chris Kennedy, Marion Design Co. created a building plan for Salin Bank, where Marion Design Co. was then housed. We pursued partners at various locations before committing to the space at 326 S. Washington St.
This building has been through a number of changes over the years. Originally a Hooks Drug Store, the building has also served as a men’s clothing store, a trophy shop, and a Pregnancy Help Center, which resided here until 2020. After the property sat vacant for a couple years, Chris Kennedy and BDP Real Estate made an offer to purchase it. Kennedy acquired the ground floor and basement, while BDP Real Estate purchased the second floor to develop into vacation rental spaces.
The building as a Hooks Drug Store.
The property as it appeared in 2020.
Chris Kennedy and his family have a rich legacy in Marion. Hartson-Kennedy Cabinet Top Co. has been in business for over 70 years, having become one of the largest manufacturers of laminate countertops in the country. The Kennedy family has also maintained a strong commitment to the arts, with different family members becoming skilled in visual art, poetry, and music.
Kennedy asked Marion Design Co. to design the building’s ground floor, basement, and exterior facade while partnering with JGBowers Construction.
Objectives.
VISIBILITY
One of the main goals of the Kennedy Art Center is to “make art visible.” The new space needed to reflect the creativity of the community, while sparking new ideas and conversations.
LEGACY
Central to this project was celebrating the legacy of the Kennedy family. We hoped to highlight the family’s artistic accomplishments and recognize their immense contribution to Marion.
PRESENCE
Our mantra has always been that “presence changes perception.” The studio and gallery needed to be inviting to all community members, giving Marion a new place to gather and think creatively.
A mid-process rendering of the Kennedy Art Center interior.
Process.
Designing the new space was a one-and-a-half year process. We began by conferencing with Chris Kennedy and other stakeholders to develop a strategic plan. Empathy was essential during this stage, so we could understand the client’s needs and vision. We then began designing floor plans, elevations, and three-dimensional renderings of the interior space.
Originally, the ground floor’s interior was divided into small counseling rooms and offices, prompting the need for extensive demolition. This work created a more open gallery, with abundant wall space for art installations. Toward the back of the building, we designed a conference room, two restrooms, and a fully-functioning kitchen.
Construction during October 2022.
Over the coming months, we adjusted our designs to better serve the mission of the Kennedy Art Center. We preserved an additional wall in the gallery space, creating an alcove dedicated to honoring the Kennedy family. The kitchen became more open, inviting community members to join in events rather than feeling separated from the food preparation space. We also made the hallway between the front gallery and kitchen more walkable, sacrificing our initial plans to include a Silent-Silo conference booth.
We faced numerous challenges throughout this process. The pandemic prompted unexpected delays and made materials difficult to access. Costs increased greatly. Through it all, we held fast to our original design for a space that would bring the community together and celebrate Marion’s artistic heritage and future.
While construction in the basement remains ongoing as of May 2023, we were able to plan and host the Kennedy Art Center’s May 5 grand opening — inviting local artists, enlisting funding, and creating an atmosphere of celebration. Marion Design Co. has received a grant from the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) to support construction in the basement. We also look forward to installing new exterior signage with the help of the Charm Grant, which the Kennedy Art Center was awarded in March 2023.
Results.
After a long design and construction process, the Kennedy Art Center has quickly become an important community space. Community members now walk in, ask questions, propose ideas, and engage with the gallery’s artwork on a daily basis.
One of the greatest accomplishments of the space’s interior design is its adaptability. The gallery space and kitchen are both dynamic, with furniture able to be rearranged to accommodate specific events.
At the same time, the interior design reflects our goals of increasing art’s visibility and celebrating the Kennedys’ legacy. The large windows and open floorplan keep the design front-facing for the community. An easily-opening garage door in the kitchen furthers this goal. Meanwhile, track lighting throughout the ground floor allows the entire space to function as an active gallery, while we designed the positioning of chairs and tables to spark conversation and collaboration.
The legacy of the Kennedy family is reflected in the use of Hartson-Kennedy countertops and tables in the retail space, conference room, and kitchen. We also chose to highlight the building’s original support beams by leaving them exposed — a nod to both the building’s and Marion’s history.
The Kennedy Art Center is now a significant presence in downtown Marion. Marion Design Co. will continue to maintain the space, both as a design studio and as a meeting place for our community.
