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Grace Hartigan

The Gift of Attention

April 12–August 10, 2025

EastSideSunday_Hartigan_56.180_PS2

Grace Hartigan: The Gift of Attention explores the creative exchange between Hartigan and the bold New York poets who inspired her, sharing a fresh perspective on a pioneering American artist.

Tickets

Between April 12 and June 29, each exhibition ticket includes admission to both The Time Is Always Now and Grace Hartigan

Tickets go on sale Thursday, February 6, for members and Thursday, February 20, for the public
Free for Members
$20 Adults, $17 Seniors age 65 and older, $12 Students (ages 7–22), free for children 6 and under

Learn more about membership 

Grace Hartigan (1922–2008) rapidly rose to national acclaim during the 1950s with her daring canvases that blended abstraction with elements of figuration. By Hartigan’s side were poets Daisy Aldan, Barbara Guest, James Merrill, Frank O’Hara, and James Schuyler. Their bold lyricism and critical support deeply inspired Hartigan, playing a crucial role in her success. She recalled that the rebellious spirit of these poets, many of whom were queer, fueled her independent artistic vision.

This exhibition brings together over 40 of her works created between 1952 and 1968, revealing the profound influence of mid-20th-century American poetry on this seminal artist.

Plan Your Visit

Ticket and Visitor Information

Grace Hartigan: The Gift of Attention is on view in East Building, Level B, Joyce W. Pope Gallery 

More information on parking and Museum hours

  • Free for Members and children 6 and under
  • $20 Adults
  • $17 Seniors age 65 and older
  • $12 Students (ages 7–22) 
Tickets
Shop and Dine

Exhibition Store
Wednesday–Sunday, 10 am–5 pm

NCMA Café
Wednesday–Sunday, 10 am–5 pm, for coffee service
Wednesday–Sunday, 11 am–3 pm, for lunch and brunch service

East Café
Friday–Sunday, 11 am–4 pm (closing to the public March 31)
Grab-and-go sandwiches, snacks, crafted coffees, cold beverages, and more

Become a Member

Become a member today to enjoy special savings!

BECOME A MEMBER

Enhance your experience of all special exhibitions and our world-class collection with these exclusive benefits:

  • Free admission to all ticketed exhibitions 
  • Exclusive Member Mondays during select ticketed exhibitions
  • Invitations to exhibition openings and other celebrations
  • Discount on summer concerts in the Joseph M. Bryan, Jr., Theater in the Museum Park
  • Discount on NCMA Cinema and summer movie tickets
  • 10% off purchases in the Museum Store
  • Preview, the Museum’s quarterly magazine, mailed to your home
  • Member e-newsletters
Image Information

 

  • Grace Hartigan, East Side Sunday (detail), 1956, oil on canvas, 80 × 82 in., Brooklyn Museum, Gift of James I. Merrill, 56.180; © Estate of Grace Hartigan
  • Grace Hartigan, Dido, 1960, oil on canvas, 82 × 91 in., Collection of The McNay Art Museum, Gift of Jane and Arthur Stieren, 1988.3
  • Grace Hartigan, Snow Angel, 1960, oil on canvas, 69 × 75 1/4 in., Private collection; © 2021 Christie’s Images Limited

 


Organized by the North Carolina Museum of Art. In Raleigh additional support is made possible, in part, by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources; the North Carolina Museum of Art Foundation, Inc.; and the William R. Kenan Jr. Endowment for Educational Exhibitions. Research for this exhibition was made possible by Ann and Jim Goodnight/The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Fund for Curatorial and Conservation Research and Travel.

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