A vibrant new cultural space, the Gainesboro Modern Museum of Contemporary Art, will celebrate its grand opening Saturday, June 7, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., offering the public a first look inside its doors on the Square in historic downtown Gainesboro.
Gainesboro Modern is the realization of a long-held aspiration for co-founders Cat and Wade Schmitz, who relocated from Houston, Texas, and chose Gainesboro as the ideal setting for their venture, underscoring a belief in the town’s potential for growth and a desire to enrich its cultural landscape. The museum, a nonprofit organization, is rooted in the belief that contemporary art can transform lives, spark creative thinking, and strengthen communities. Its core mission is to bring bold and engaging art to a region that has traditionally had limited access, while contributing to the cultural and economic vitality of Gainesboro. Admission will always be free, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to experience and connect with contemporary art without financial barriers.
Leading the museum and bringing a blend of artistic vision and business acumen are:
Wade Schmitz, Co-founder and Executive Director, Curator; Cat Schmitz, Co-founder and Board Chair, Treasurer
;Nancy Pruett, Trustee and Vice-Chair; Diego Alvarez, Trustee; Elizabeth Ruffner, Trustee and Secretary and Serge Kovalchuk, Trustee
Strategically located on the Square in historic downtown Gainesboro, the museum occupies a space within the town’s historical heart, in the governmental, commercial, and agricultural center of Jackson County, an area listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This location creates an intriguing intersection between the town’s rich past and the contemporary art the museum will showcase, potentially drawing a diverse range of visitors interested in both historical preservation and modern artistic expression, and contributing to downtown Gainesboro’s ongoing revitalization efforts.
The opening day celebration will feature a preview of the museum’s inaugural exhibition, a kids tent with stickers, coloring books, and clay snail-making, and guided tours with opportunities to meet the founders and board members.
“We’re thrilled to be opening our doors and sharing this space with the community,” said Wade Schmitz, co-founder and executive director of Gainesboro Modern. “Bringing a contemporary art museum to Gainesboro is more than a milestone—it’s a dream realized, and we can’t wait to see how it inspires curiosity, creativity, and connection throughout the region.”
As part of its opening, the museum is also featuring a large-scale public art mural on its exterior wall depicting four bright blue snails with shiny purple trails, symbolizing the whimsical journey of art arriving in Gainesboro from Milan, Italy. In a nod to community engagement, the museum is holding an online auction where participants can bid to name each snail. The Annual Naming of the Snails auction launches Wednesday, June 4 at 7 p.m. and closes Saturday, June 7 at 5 p.m., with all proceeds supporting the museum’s ability to remain free. The snail has been adopted as the museum’s official ambassador, intended to capture attention and create an approachable atmosphere, with its symbolism further enriched by its connection to the art collective Cracking Art, representing rebirth and regeneration, and its helix associated with communication and progress.
Committed to fostering a culture characterized by diversity, equity, access, and inclusion, Gainesboro Modern believes that art transcends cultural and social boundaries. The museum strives to cultivate a welcoming and inclusive environment for every visitor, regardless of background or identity, and actively seeks to showcase artists who represent a wide array of backgrounds and perspectives.
The Gainesboro Modern team invites everyone to celebrate the arrival of a fresh and vibrant art space in Jackson County.
