ARCADIA, Wis. – Each year, Ashley for the Arts recognizes individuals and organizations that promote the non-profit’s mission, “Showcasing the Arts. Supporting Humanity”. This year, the organization will present the annual Patron of the Arts award and the Ashley for the Arts Humanitarian award live at this year’s event, held August 10-12, 2023.
The Humanitarian Award was created to celebrate those who have gone above and beyond in serving the communities that surround Arcadia, WI, the home of the Ashley for the Arts annual event. Schools and organizations within a 60-mile radius of Arcadia were invited to nominate an individual or group that they felt exemplified what it meant to be a humanitarian. Following a selection process through the Ashley for the Arts committee, Peggy and Rick Duellman were chosen as the 2023 Humanitarian Award recipients.
Peggy and Rick Duellman are being recognized for their outstanding volunteering efforts at Ashley for the Arts and for the Cotter School Band Boosters. Since 2015, the Duellmans have been volunteering for Ashley for the Arts, moving into lead volunteer positions in 2017 as dedicated stage managers for the festival. Peggy also coordinates the hundreds of volunteers representing Cotter Schools each year. Together they are passionate about volunteering as a team with the opportunity to raise funds for Cotter Band Boosters.
In addition to their volunteer efforts, Peggy and Rick Duellman have also been dedicated members of the Cotter Schools Band Boosters. The Band Boosters support the music programs at Cotter Schools and organize opportunities to raise funds for equipment, uniforms, and travel expenses. Peggy and Rick Duellman are shining examples of the power of volunteering and the impact it can have on a community. Their selfless dedication to these organizations has made a real difference in the lives of countless individuals.
“I’m very impressed by my parents. They have contributed so much to this event, and I’m elated they are receiving this award,” stated Kate Duellman, the Duellmans’ eldest daughter. “Seeing what my parents do as a team for Cotter Schools is an inspiration. Volunteering at Ashley for the Arts has become an annual family tradition. We all stay on-site together and volunteer throughout the weekend. My mom spends so much time coordinating these volunteers, and I love seeing the impact my parents have had on Cotter Schools.”
The Duellmans will be recognized on the main stage prior to Jake Owen’s performance on Friday, August 11th at 7:00 PM.
In addition, the Patron of the Arts award recipient is selected by the Ashley for the Arts committee to honor individual(s) or an organization that has demonstrated extraordinary support for the arts. Ashley for the Arts will recognize Pablo Center at the Confluence with the prestigious “Patron of the Arts” award on Saturday, August 12th, on the main stage, before Tyler Hubbard’s performance at 7:00 PM.
Located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Pablo Center is a state-of-the-art facility that serves as a hub for arts and culture in the Chippewa Valley region. Since its opening in 2018, the center has hosted a wide range of performances and events, including theater productions, dance performances, and concerts. Their signature lineup of events and exhibits are carefully curated, featuring a blend of regional, national, and international arts presenters.
Pablo Center at the Confluence welcomes, connects, inspires, and transforms. They are motivated by the belief that through art, education, and entertainment we can build stronger communities and a more enlightened world. Through initiatives such as the ARTmobile, they provide free and educational art projects, both in-person and online, ensuring that young minds have access to artistic experiences. This commitment to youth outreach and education showcases their strong advocacy for cultivating a lifelong appreciation for the arts. The Pablo Center also serves as an important educational hub, providing opportunities for students to grow through clubs and workshops focused on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) programs. By offering platforms like the FIRST Robotics Competition and Lego League, they nurture creativity and critical thinking skills in the next generation, inspiring young minds to explore the intersection of arts and sciences.
“Pablo Center, our board, and our staff are honored to receive this award!” said executive director Jason Jon Anderson. “Pablo Center itself is not just a place, it’s a symbol of our community’s commitment to its creative culture, a gathering place of people and shared experiences. It’s where you have the opportunity to be delighted by a Broadway performance, to see a friend or neighbor take the stage opening night of a theatre production, or to stand shoulder-to-shoulder for a concert that electrifies the room.”
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Ashley for the Arts is a nonprofit initiative that provides the entire family with world class entertainment, art, exercise, and family fun for a remarkably low cost. The organization is one of Wisconsin’s largest charity events, donating over $3 Million since its inception to more than 70 nonprofit organizations, including participating schools, children’s charities, and medical research. This music and arts festival was conceptualized and established by Ashley Furniture Industries in 2009 and takes place in Arcadia, Wisconsin’s Memorial Park. For more information on Ashley for the Arts, visit www.AshleyfortheArts.com. Follow Ashley for the Arts on Facebook and @AshleyfortheArts on Instagram.
