Ashley for the Arts will recognize Bob Kierlin and Mary Burrichter with their prestigious “Patron of the Arts” award on Friday, August 13th, on the main stage, before Kip Moore’s performance at 8:00 PM. The Patron of the Arts award was created to recognize an individual(s) or organization who have demonstrated extraordinary support for the arts.
Bob and Mary have made significant philanthropic contributions in the arts area. In 2005, they co-founded the Minnesota Marine Art Museum in Winona, Minnesota. The Burrichter/Kierlin collection is on loan to the museum and includes works by Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Mary Cassatt and Robert Duncanson. Also included are works by local artists Leo and Marilyn Smith. Perhaps most famous in the collection is the 1851 oil painting by Emanuel Leutze of “Washington Crossing the Delaware”.
When asked about how the couple began their passion for fine art, Burrichter explained “we had a house with a large, white wall. We purchased a marine painting for that space and we were hooked! We have loved the hunt and discovery of fine art ever since.” The Minnesota Marine Art Museum was created from this passion for art. “We have always enjoyed paintings with water. You will see each painting has an element of water in it to tie back to the theme of the museum.” This jewel box of a museum, with its six galleries, has provided the city of Winona and the entire area the joy and discovery of fine art. It has become a destination point for travelers.
“I want to do something worthwhile for the people in this area, because I love the area,” Kierlin said. “I work to see that other people have the same opportunities I had. Now, I’m working to foster economic development in this area, which has been very important to me.”
Born and raised in Winona, Bob Kierlin, attended Winona Cotter High School and graduated from the University of Minnesota-Minneapolis. He and four friends founded the Fastenal Company in Winona, an organization they built from a small-town fastener retailer into a multibillion-dollar global business. Today, it is one of the largest industrial distributors in North America.
Kierlin served as the Fastenal’s chief executive officer, and its president. He also served as a Minnesota state senator from 1999 to 2006 and has served as a board member of multiple businesses and a member and leader of numerous community and educational boards and organizations.
Former city Finance Director for Winona, Mary Burrichter has been a member of various non-profit boards and currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Beethoven Festival, held annually in Winona. This classical music event has featured musicians such as violist Joshua Bell, flutist Sir James Galway and cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
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Ashley for the Arts is a non-profit initiative that provides the entire family with world class entertainment, art, exercise and family fun for a remarkably low cost. It is also one of Wisconsin’s largest charity events, donating over $590,000 in 2019 for more than 60 non-profit organizations, including participating schools, children’s charities and medical research. This music and arts festival was conceptualized and established by Ashley Furniture Industries, LLC in 2009 and takes place in Arcadia, Wisconsin’s Memorial Park.
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Ashley Furniture Industries, LLC is celebrating 75 years in business this year. Founded in 1945, as a sales company, Ashley has grown into the World’s Largest Manufacturer of Furniture with over 25 million square feet of manufacturing & distribution capacity. From design through fulfillment, Ashley is committed to delivering the world’s best home furnishing values, selection, speed and service, and earning the loyalty and trust of its customers every day. Visit Ashley online at www.ashleyfurnitureindustriesllc.com and “like” Ashley Furniture Industries, LLC on Facebook.
