Meet Cassie Terpening: Communications and Volunteer Coordinator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cassie Terpening and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cassie, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Hart Gallery is a 501(c)3 nonprofit gallery that offers hope and opportunity through art. For many who need healing, hope, and family, the H*Art Gallery is a creative home. Our artists come from varied underserved backgrounds and circumstances: those experiencing homelessness, living with mental and physical disabilities, disabled veterans, women fleeing abusive situations, political refugees, and others. The art we sell benefits the artist directly where 60% goes directly to them, 10% goes to a charity of their choice, and 30% goes back into Hart’s programming. We also offer partner organizations, such as shelters, to establish therapeutic art expression classes.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My involvement with Hart Gallery started when I volunteered seven years ago at the Salvation Army’s ReCreate Cafe where people who are homeless go for day shelter. I was going through my own battles with depression, being completely new to Chattanooga, and putting myself through undergrad. There was a man that walked by the art room and asked me for a dollar. I replied by saying “I would but I’m a poor student eating Cheerios and Ramen.” I quickly forgot about that whole interaction. At the end of the class, one of the participants handed me a note. It was a list of all the places I could go for a meal. He also pointed out two on the list where other students went so I wouldn’t feel out of place. His generosity to me when he was living out of his backpack touched my soul brought me to tears. I then volunteered as much as I could going to other classes with Hart’s therapist Brooke Montague.

After a year went by, I was offered to be a teacher for Hart Gallery at the Salvation Army where I first begun. I quickly jumped on the opportunity! Even as a full time student, working at a restaurant, and interning I would always look forward to the two classes a week I taught with the homeless population. When choosing my major for my Bachelor’s degree, the gallery inspired me to choose Public Administration and Nonprofit Management. The time came where Hart Gallery needed another staff member they picked me and my dreams came true! I love being inspired by our artists and their resiliency through the various struggles of life. It’s a blessing to witness the Chattanooga community come together to help each artist that I’ve grown to care about so much.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My favorite places are other art galleries and organizations of course! I would recommend visiting the Association for Visual Arts, the Hunter Museum of Art, Area 61 gallery, and Sculpture Fields at Montague Park. The Hart Gallery is located on the Southside where there are many incredible restaurants like Alex Thai and Conga. It is a great area for those who like to wander. My other favorite part of town is North Shore. Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Founder of Hart Gallery, Ellen Heavilon has been a lover of art since graduating college. As a stay-at-home Mom most of her adult life she found herself looking for ‘what is next’ when the idea of the gallery came to her. As someone who is comfortable in service she is using her many years of volunteering to focus on one mission that centers on creativity and giving individuals, who would not otherwise have an opportunity, the ability to creatively express themselves with the possibility of sharing in the proceeds of their efforts. ‘
We would also like to thank the Chattanooga community who have supported Hart’s mission for going on eleven years!

Website: https://hartgallery.org

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