Written by Isis Hollis
Last Thursday, LEAP Students had the opportunity to celebrate the 20th birthday of the Wynne Home Arts and Community Center! The event, which included food, a panel of amazing community members, and even a celebratory gift, gave many of us new insight into the rich history of the home.
The night started with something the people of Huntsville do best: mingling! We saw many familiar faces as the community turnout was indicative of the support for the home. Some of us had never been to the Wynne Home separate from events like Empty Bowls or the Easter Egg Hunt.
We showed each other our favorite art pieces, which include many famous works from artists such as Charles Pebworth, James Surls, and Jesus Moroles. I particularly enjoyed the James Surls piece in the dining room. Ruthie, however, preferred a different dining room piece: the Charles Pebworth!
After mingling and looking at the art, it was time for the panel! The panel included many significant figures of Huntsville. Nancy Gaertner, Mac Woodward, and Linda Pease were led in a conversation about the history of the home by Mike Yawn.
The conversation started off with Linda Pease sharing how the Wynne sisters (Ruth and Samuella) were raised in the home and, toward the end of their lives, began to consider ways to turn the home over to the community. This, as you might imagine, involved a long process of gaining funds and support to remodel the home into a community center.
Mac Woodward spoke on what it looks like on a city government level when accepting a donation such as the home and then turning it into a public space. Nancy Gaertner discussed her first meeting with Linda, the process of creating a “Cultural District’ in Huntsville, and some of her favorite events as President of the Friends of the Wynne.
Along the way, Yawn highlighted some of the community leaders in the audience, a list that included Jaspyr Sanford (a long-time Friends of the Wynne member), Una Grace Nash (the first President of Friends of the Wynne), Sean Lewis (Huntsville’s first Main Street Manager), Linda Wiley (David Adickes’ long-time partner), Mayor Russel Humphrey, City Manager Scott Swigert, many of the Friends of the Wynne, former President Jim Gaertner, Victoria Cardenas (current President of the Friends of the Wynne), Caroline Crimm (former SHSU professor), Derrick Birdsall (Director of the Sam Houston Memorial Museum), City Councilman Tore Fossum, Lee Ann Wiseman (Manager of the Gibbs-Powell House), and others. Many of these had a role in supporting the Wynne Home over the years, and their attention has paid off.
The panelists, when asked to share their favorite Wynne Home memory, couldn’t pick a specific one, but they all agreed that the kids of Huntsville are what makes all the work worth it. The Nutcracker, Easter Egg Hunt, and historical tours featuring reenactors were just some of the few that they agreed truly showed how impactful art can be for kids.
As the evening came to a close, there was much applause and many smiles, as the tone of the event moved from a nostalgic look at the past to a hopeful vision of the future.
City Staff, including Angela Robinson and Tracy Chappell, also said a few words thanking those who were there, and also noting that, in appreciation for her years as President of Friends of the Wynne, they had purchased a brick at the Sam Houston Statue in honor of Nancy Gaertner.
As the evening came to a close, it was clear that the Wynne Home is much more than a beautiful historic house or a place to display art. It is a space that has brought the Huntsville community together for twenty years and continues to create meaningful experiences for people of all ages. Hearing from the people who helped make the Wynne Home what it is today gave us a greater appreciation for the work, generosity, and community spirit behind it. We were grateful for the opportunity to celebrate this milestone and learn more about a place that has become such an important part of Huntsville’s history.
Many thanks to Angela Robinson and Tracey Chappel for inviting LEAP Ambassadors, to the panelists for agreeing to serve, and for all those who have supported the Wynne Home over the years.
