

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Hilary Cole.
Hi Hilary, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in a small town in Kansas. After finishing my B.F.A. in Sculpture at Northwest Missouri State University, I moved to Kansas City and began working as an assistant at the Leopold Gallery.
Over the years, I’ve worked my way up through the gallery to become the Gallery Director. Recently, I’ve been jurying a few regional and national exhibits for various organizations. I am also an active member of P.E.O., a Philanthropic Educational Foundation for women.
We all face challenges, but would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
About a year and a half ago, I lost my father to cancer due to Agent Orange exposure from the Vietnam War. He was my best friend as well as my father. He and my mother are the reason I became so moved by the arts as a child. From about four years old, we were traveling abroad, travelling to art auctions, visiting museums and exhibits, and experiencing live music, theatre, and literature.
I still remember falling asleep on my father’s shoulder during one particularly long art auction that ran past bedtime. Looking back, I know I was fortunate to have parents who encouraged me to pursue my passions as a child. I know it was definitely nerve-racking for my parents when I decided to be an art major in college, but my major was chosen with the understanding that it would take a lot of hard work to be successful. I’m still working hard, but I wish my father to see who I am now, and who I will become.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe you can tell us more about your work next?
I have been working at Leopold Gallery for eleven years and have been the Gallery Director for three years. After all this time, I still find the work exciting. Leopold has been a wealth of knowledge in learning the realities of how an art gallery can succeed.
It also focuses on creating collections for corporate clients, being able to assist in building those collections has been incredible. I’ve gained valuable knowledge on the construction and execution of major public installations as well as what works best according to a private client’s taste and space.
What do you think about happiness?
I think the last few years have been a challenge in defining happiness. I’m not sure happiness is the right word, but contentment might be the better term. It’s impossible to be happy all of the time, as you can’t be happiness without the contrasting emotions of sadness, anger, grief, etc. However, finding contentment is an achievable goal. How do you find contentment? Being around the people you love and constantly finding inspiration.
The friends and family you create are the most important people in your life. Continue to nurture those bonds. I’m also lucky to have a job I love. However, even with that luxury, I still need to find time for inspiration. My local art museum, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is full of amazing artwork, a reference library, and hosts amazing events. I even consider the museum visits to be my form of church. Finding time to travel is also a priority. My recent trips abroad have sparked a fresh global perspective post-COVID.
My favorite place in Paris has to be the Rodin Museum (you can see me in front of the estate in my personal photo); I visit it every time I’m in Paris. If you’d like a beautiful respite from all the other tourists in Paris, I highly recommend checking it out. Grab a coffee at the café, find a quiet spot in the sculpture garden, take out your sketchpad or journal, and see what happens.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.leopoldgallery.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leopoldgallery/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeopoldGallery
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeopoldGalleryKansasCity/featured
Image Credits
Brynn Burns