Introduction
Dr. Hank Hine has been the man behind St. Pete's most iconic art museum for more than 16 years. Dr. Hine's visionary leadership has made the Dali Museum more than a museum - a living piece of the St. Pete community. The waterfront anchor holds special events nearly every day of the week and features groundbreaking exhibits and collaborations that keep locals coming back to relive Dali's genius over and over again. Dr. Hine believes in art's power to educate both young and old. Under his leadership, the museum offers educational initiatives for children and adults, and facilitates corporate and business learning through the Dali's successful Innovation Labs, which use Dali's art as a tool for creativity.
Years in St. Pete
8 years
Organizations involved in
Association of American Museum Directors, a group of poets, the Dali Museum’s ancillary activities, committees, councils and guild. Public schools through the PTA. John’s Hopkins, Straz Center – connecting art and medicine. Avid kayaker.
What gets you out of bed every day?
This beautiful world.
Why St. Pete?
St. Pete is happening. It’s the right place to be for me, for the arts, for food, for culture. It’s the right place to take account of this world.
What is one habit that you keep?
I have so many habits. I have chemical habits like coffee and wine. I have a habit of being pleased every time I see my family. I have a habit of being pleased every day I walk into the museum. I have a habit of thinking that every morning holds incredible opportunity.
Who are some people that influence you?
My dad was a big influence. My mother, my sister remains a strong influence. I couple of poets and a couple of my art teachers. I think about them all of the time and I hear their voices. Poets: Ed Dorn, not a well-known poet, but a black mountain school poet. Robert Creeley. Nathan Oliviera, art teacher at Stanford. Cy Twombly was an idol that I had the good fortune to meet and work with a little bit. .
What is one piece of insight - a book, methodology, practice - that you would share with our readers?
Realize that the hand has to be engaged in everything that you do, as well as the heart. Understand that if you don’t feed people, you can’t communicate with them.
What is one thing you wish you knew about your work 3 years ago?
I wish I understood to what extent art is really a form of education.
What’s next?
The sky’s the limit, I hope.
