Otto F. Dingeldein Gala
Dr. Joni Hand Receiving the 2024 Otto F. Dingeldein Award
Each year, the Arts Council presents awards to qualifying members of the community who are exemplars and advocates for the arts in the Southeast Missouri region. These awards are presented at the Otto F. Dingeldein Gala, one of our organizations biggest fundraising events. Community businesses come together to provide a night to remember, including music, dancing, and hors d'oeuvres. This is a wonderful event to connect with other artists, as well as learn more about the Arts Council.
The Gala’s namesake comes from The Otto F. Dingeldein Award, set up in 1975. This award 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.
Check out photos from the 2024 Otto F. Dingeldein Gala below!
Dr. Joni Hand Receiving the Otto F. Dingeldein Award
Jeff Rawson Receiving the Friend of the Arts Award on Behalf of The Scout and Scout Hall
Susan Koen Receiving the Heart for Art Award
Travis & Parker Receiving the Loose Dudes Dingie Award
Carol Horst Receiving the Get S**t Done Dingie Award
Chayli Richardson Receiving the Jack of All Trades Dingie
Rayme Keenan Receiving the Give Us Your Money Dingie
Jesse Steele Receiving the Pluck Yeah Dingie
Lloyd Williams Receiving the Reflections Dingie on Behalf of South Side Farms
Tom & Josh Receiving the Maximalists of the Year Dingie
Thomas Shaner Receiving the Working Artist Dingie
Michael Downes Receiving the Oddly Specific Dingie
What a star-studded photo of prominent Arts Council members, Dingeldein recipients, and amazing artists!
The Kellerman Foundation for Historic Preservation shared their John Boardman collection with us as well. Last year, the Dingeldein Gala took place in a beautiful John Boardman home so we enjoyed being able to reflect on that experience.
The Kellerman Foundation for Historic Preservation so kindly brought their Otto F. Dingeldein collection to share with our guests!
Thank you to our bartender extraordinaire, Chayli! Édouard Manet's "A Bar at the Folies-Bergère", anyone?
Shoutout to the 2023 Otto F. Dingeldein Recipient, Kirby Ray, for taking so many great photos!
We loved seeing the custom CHROMA outfits! Lisa and Kurt were inspired by Oskar Schlemmer's Bauhaus ballet!
DJ 2 Fingers Up provided the perfect party vibe! His selections kept us dancing and we loved that we could request songs.
Did you see the photographs of Otto's silversmith work behind the bar?
Sweet Boards created a beautiful (and DELICIOUS!) spread of food for us!
Our most recent celebration took place in December of 2024. The first award, the Otto F. Dingeldein Award, was awarded to Dr. Joni Hand, and the second award, the Friend of the Arts Award, was 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. The 2024 award recipient was Susan Koen. In addition to our traditional awards, we also presented the fun and cheeky Dingies!, which honored unique contributions from members and collaborators.
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! We would also like to thank Catapult Creative House for letting us host this event in their space.
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
Past Winners of the Otto F. Dingeldein Award
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 Random, 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
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
Past Winners of the Friend of the Arts Award
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 Winners of the Heart for Art Award
2023 - Lisa Bishop
2024- Susan Koen