KENNEDY ART CENTER

Originally a Hooks Drug Store, the space later housed a men’s clothing store, a trophy shop, and most recently a Pregnancy Help Center, which occupied the building until 2020. After sitting vacant for several years, the property was purchased by Chris Kennedy and BDP Real Estate, with Kennedy acquiring the ground floor and basement and BDP developing the second floor into vacation rental spaces. The project marked a new chapter in the Kennedy family’s long-standing investment in Marion. Hartson-Kennedy Cabinet Top Co. has operated locally for more than 70 years, and generations of the Kennedy family have actively pursued the arts, from visual art and poetry to music. Chris Kennedy invited Marion Design Co. to design the building’s ground floor, basement, and exterior facade, partnering with JGBowers Construction to bring the Kennedy Art Center to life.

Designing the Kennedy Art Center was a year-and-a-half collaborative process rooted in empathy and long-term vision. Marion Design Co. began by working closely with Chris Kennedy and key stakeholders to develop a strategic plan that aligned mission, function, and community impact. From there, we created floor plans, elevations, and three-dimensional renderings to reimagine the building’s interior. The ground floor originally consisted of small counseling rooms and offices, requiring significant demolition to create an open gallery with ample wall space for exhibitions. As the project evolved, the design was refined to better serve the center’s mission: an alcove was preserved to honor the Kennedy family, the kitchen was opened to invite participation during events, and circulation between the gallery and gathering spaces was improved. Despite pandemic-related delays, material shortages, and rising costs, the vision remained clear—to create a space that gathers the community and celebrates Marion’s artistic past and future. While basement construction continues, Marion Design Co. planned and hosted the Kennedy Art Center’s May 5, 2023 grand opening and secured grant support to advance future phases, including exterior signage and ongoing development.

Kennedy Art Center has emerged as a vibrant and active community space in downtown Marion. The interior was designed for adaptability, allowing the gallery and kitchen to shift easily in response to exhibitions, events, and gatherings. Large windows, an open floor plan, and a garage-style kitchen door keep the space visually and physically connected to the street, increasing the visibility of art and inviting curiosity from passersby. Track lighting throughout the ground floor allows the entire interior to function as a flexible gallery, while thoughtfully placed tables and seating encourage conversation and collaboration. The design also honors the Kennedy family’s legacy through the use of Hartson-Kennedy countertops and custom tables in the kitchen, conference room, and retail areas. Exposed original support beams preserve the building’s history, grounding the space in Marion’s past while supporting its creative future. Today, the Kennedy Art Center serves as both a working design studio and a welcoming place for the community to gather, create, and engage.