Elisha Darlin Arts Award celebrates Francis and Ellen Henkels

Each year the Dubuque County Fine Arts Society honors a person or persons for their contribution to the area arts scene. Named the Elisha Darlin Arts Award, for one of the founding members of the organization, this year's award - the 29th annual - went to two of our community's greatest supporters of the arts, Francis and Ellen Henkels. An awards banquet in their honor was held Friday, March 9, at the Clarke College Atrium. As individuals, the Henkelses are each involved in the arts in their own ways. Together, they are a unified team in support of the arts. From their own creative endeavors to their shared enthusiasm for the arts, the Henkelses embody the spirit of the Elisha Darlin Arts Award.

Ellen Henkels is both an artist and teacher of art. Creating her own work in watercolor, oil pastel and mixed media, she has contributed to auctions and other fundraisers for non-profit organizations. Her involvement with the Dubuque Museum of Art dates back to the initial cleaning out of the Old Jail Gallery that became the first home to the museum. Now a member of the City of Dubuque's Cultural Affairs Commission and the Art on the River committee, Ellen's continuing contributions help to beautify our city and build a strong and vibrant arts community. As a teacher, she shares her creativity with her junior high school students, inspiring our next generation of artists and advocates.

While Fran Henkels supports the arts in many ways, probably his most high-profile contribution is as the auctioneer at the Dubuque Museum of Art's Annual Art Auction. As artist, friend and last year's recipient of the Elisha Darlin Arts Award Gene Tully notes, "When it comes to art auctions, Fran is the man. Not only does Fran know the art and artists, he also knows the people doing the bidding." Fran uses his community connections along with some good-natured humor and cajoling to elicit some serious bidding, making the Art Auction not only a major fundraiser for the Museum but also one of the most entertaining events of the arts calendar. Fran's natural ease in front of a crowd has lead him to his newest creative endeavor as an actor in live theatre.

In addition to their individual involvements in the arts, together Fran and Ellen support and inspire the art community in a variety of ways. Avid art collectors, their Victorian home is decorated with art from both local and international artists - from the original Frank Licciardi oil portrait of Ellen which Fran commissioned as a wedding gift, to paintings by African artist Muamba. In fact, the Henkelses co-sponsored a Muamba exhibition with their friends the Mozenas at the Dubuque Museum of Art.

The Henkelses' love of art extends to the culinary. Doing their part to make the term "starving artist" an antiquated stereotype, Fran and Ellen have used their own formidable cooking and entertaining skills to make art openings and events a feast for all the senses. They provided an incredible selection of hors d'oeuvres for 600 people at the opening of last September's Voices From the Warehouse District art exhibition and the dinner for eight they regularly donate to the Museum of Art Annual Art Auction is always one of the most popular. - photos by Mike Ironside.