Interview with Kate Hill!
Kate Hill is the undisputed queen of the South (possibly the world), the Taproom Manager at Section 6 Brewing, and an all-around damn good person. When she’s not serving up the best craft beer in Brandon, Kate and her husband, America’s Sweetheart Dr. Aaron Wilson, host weekly trivia nights. A deeply passionate patron of the arts, with a soft spot for good music and kind people, Kate is also the maestro of magic in Brandon’s newest gallery space. I recently caught up with Kate to ask her about how art permeates every aspect of her life, and what advice she would give artists hoping to exhibit their work.
You are an art aficionado if I've ever met one, so tell me about yourself from an arts perspective. What is your background in the arts? What drew you to the art world?
Ha, “aficionado” is very generous. I grew up in a household with framed replicas of the great masters; my mother loved works by Leonardo and Caravaggio, so it was always present. I feel like I always knew that I wanted to do something that allowed me to share art with other people; it brought me so much joy so the whole world should know about it, right?! At school, I studied both Art History and Studio Art, the latter simply to allow me to better understand the former. Ultimately, I landed an internship and later a position at the Weatherspoon Art Museum in Greensboro, North Carolina, where I was mentored by Ann Grimaldi, Director of Arts Education. She taught me a great deal about sharing art and making it more accessible. Accessibility to art has been my guiding principle for a long time.
Image Credit: Doug Derksen
You created Brandon's newest gallery space, in the upstairs taproom of Section 6 Brewing Co. What was the impetus behind this decision, and why does great beer and local art pair so well?
The idea was initially brought up by owner Sid Stevenson. He also loves art, so when he mentioned it, a huge spark was lit and we realized we could create something really special in our upstairs space. The connection, experience, and passion was there—a chance to combine my two great loves: beer and art? Done. Craft beer, especially at Section 6, is a true form of creative expression and experimentation. I view Ben as an artist; he simply works with a medium that can go into a keg. That is just as exciting to celebrate as the works that adorn our walls.
You have spent years searching out talented artists both personally and professionally. What are you looking for when you choose a new artist to showcase at Section 6?
It’s the artists that do things I’ve never seen before or do it so well that it makes me rethink the medium that I really jump at. We have a great deal of talent in this area, so I never have to worry about finding someone local, so instead I’m always interested to find an artist that embraces this area in some form. Ingenuity, confidence, and care through craftsmanship are also big points for me.
Image Credit: Doug Derksen
What advice do you have for artists who are looking to exhibit their work for the first time? How should they curate their art to best present their work to the public?
Do it! Put your work out there, and let the world see it. Everything in art is a learning experience and showing one’s work should be viewed just the same. Not everyone will like it, not everyone will get it, but if that one person sees it and it sparks joy, you’ve succeeded. When deciding what to show, it’s always best to have at least a second pair of eyes. A piece you may hate may be their favourite, so never judge yourself alone. A theme and cohesion is nice but not necessary, but overall, works that you are proud of and you want others to see is a great way to curate a show.
In addition to the gallery space, Section 6 hosts all kinds of amazing gatherings. What do you have going on over the next few months, and where can folks find out more information?
Our website and social media is always the best place to find out what’s going on. We will be continuing our regular, weekly events like trivia and karaoke, as well as celebrating with the Brandon Beer Choir for a few more evenings of beer and song. We are in the planning stage of a summer solstice block party, as well as participating in a lot of festivals. We will feature new artists every few months, but it has been incredible starting with you.
Image Credits: Doug Derksen
Thanks so much to the wonderful Kate Hill for a lovely interview and to Doug Derksen for the fantastic images of both my exhibition and the gallery space. You can find Section 6’s website here, their Facebook page here, and their instagram here. You can purchase some of Doug’s phenomenal work here and learn more about his journey as a photographer here.
