Each year, two distinguished awards are presented to qualifying members of the community who are exemplars and advocates for the arts in the Southeast Missouri region. The first award, the Otto F. Dingeldein Award, is awarded to Dr. Joni Hand, and the second award, the Friend of the Arts Award, is awarded to Jeff Rawson of The Scout/Scout Hall. At the 2023 Gala, we introduced a third honor for our Volunteer of the Year called the Heart for Art. This year's award recipient is Susan Koen. In addition to our traditional awards, we will also present the fun and cheeky Dingies!, which honor unique contributions from members and collaborators. Help us honor all the awardees at our annual fundraiser.
The festivities included delicious charcuterie by Sweet Boards and delectable desserts made by members. An open bar offered wine from Breathru Beverage Missouri and the Juicy Juan IPA from Many Good Things Brewing. We danced the night away as DJ 2 Fingers Up spun some awesome tunes! Help us also thank Catapult Creative House for letting us host this event in their space.
We had so much fun at this year’s gala! Check out the photos below.
about the awards
The Otto F. Dingeldein Award, set up in 1975, was established to honor living individuals whose artistic achievements have made considerable impact on the cultural enrichment of this community. The award can be given to artists, non-artists, or to organizations. The criteria used in selection of the award winner include an evaluation of the individual's support of, or participation in the areas of Drama, Writing, Visual Arts, Music, or Dance. Other criteria taken into consideration are the person's impact on community enrichment, awards and recognition, and length of time involved in the arts.
The Friend of the Arts Award was established in 2002. It is one of the highest honors the Arts Council can bestow upon an individual, or organization, within the community. Nominees are involved with the Arts Council in a capacity that helps our organization achieve its goals for programming and outreach. This assistance can be delivered either through the nominee's service as a volunteer, or through donations of funds or goods.
The Heart for Art award was established in 2023 to honor a volunteer who is an exemplary advocate for the arts in the community.
past winners of the Otto F. Dingeldein Award
1975 - Otto F. Dingeldein
1976 - Marjorie Suedekum
1977 - Jake Wells
1980 - Aileen Lorberg
1981 - Jack & Betty Palsgrove
1983 - Wendy Rust
1985 - Ruth Knote
1986 - Grant Lund & James V. Parker
1987 - Mary Ann Gundermuth
1988 - Dr. Frances Crowley
1990 - Judith Crow
1991 - Carol Berry Horst
1992 - Don & Beverly Strohmeyer
1993 - Bill & Jan Chamberlain
1994 - Nick Leist
1995 - John H. Wiseman
1996 - Bill Needle
1997 - Ann Abbott
1998 - Freck Shivelbine
1999 - Dr. Edwin Smith
2001 - Dr. Gary L. Miller
2002 - Dr. Jean & Nona Nan Chapman
2003 - Craig Thomas
2004 - Drs. Robert & Ann Gifford
2005 - Mr. Narvol Randol, Jr. & Herb Wickham
2006 - William Shivelbine
2007 - Vicki Outman
2008 - Dodie Eisenhauer
2009 - Mike Dumey
2011 - Linda Buis
2012 - Dr. John Shelton
2013 - Don Greenwood
2014 - Brenda Seyer
2015 - Judy Barks-Westrich
2016 - Chris Wubbena
2017 - Caroline Kahler
2021 - Steve Schaffner
2022- Helen Towner
2023- Kirby Ray Qualls
2024- Dr. Joni Hand
past winners of the Friend of the Arts Award
2002 - Sam Blackwell
2003 - Ron Pilz
2004 - Jeff Maguire
2005 - Southeast Missouri Hospital
2006 - Southeast Missourian
2007 - Jerry Ford
2008 - Richard Webb
2009 - Utahna Hancock
2011 - Red Letter Communications & Lori Ann Kinder
2012 - Chris Edmonds/Staff-Element 74
2013 - Major Brands
2014 - 573 Magazine
2015 - Jeanie Eddleman
2016 - Sam Burton Cole
2017 - Ronald Nall
2021 - Ebb & Flow Fermentations
2022- The Bank of Missouri
2023- eDen Health Spa & Salon
2024- Jeff Rawson of Scout Hall & The Scout
past heart for art Award
2023 - Lisa Bishop
2024- Susan Koen
2023 Dingeldein Gala
Past Dingeldein Galas
