Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
NASH, Ruth
NASH, Ruth. (Minneapolis, MN, Feb. 10, 1922--Dubuque, IA, Sept. 15, 2002). In 1979 and 2003 Nash and her husband, Russell NASH, were honored by the DUBUQUE COUNTY FINE ARTS SOCIETY with the Elisha Darlin Award for their contributions to the cultural environment of Dubuque. Together they co-founded the 4th Street Artist Gallery, in 1976 the DUBUQUE COUNTY FINE ARTS SOCIETY, and were involved in the Historic Bluffs Neighborhood Association. (1) In 1997 when their friend Rocco BUDA died, they purchased his half of their duplex, joined the two halves, and created the Rocco Buda Arts Resource Center a free art museum dedicated to featuring the work of local artisans. (2)
Ruth was a board member of the DUBUQUE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AUXILIARY, Iowa Arts Council, and the DUBUQUE COUNTY FINE ARTS SOCIETY. For eleven years she baked bread for DACCR (Dubuque Area Council of Community Relations) "feeds," free suppers prepared for the unemployed. (3)
In 1979 Nash co-chaired Dubuquefest with Elisha Darlin. She later served as coordinator of DUBUQUEFEST/VERY SPECIAL ARTS Festival. In 1988 Nash wrote and edited "Together," a photographic record of the combined festival of that year. She was president of the DUBUQUE ARTS COUNCIL, Dubuque County Fine Arts Society, and the DUBUQUE ART ASSOCIATION. She also chaired the county Equal Employment Opportunity Committee, Festivals of Iowa, and pro-tem chairperson of the DUBUQUE ARTS ALLIANCE. Since its beginning, Nash arranged guests on "Artscape," a locally produced weekly television program about art events and artists. She was the co-art editor for Julien's Journal for nearly twenty years. (4)
In 1998 she and her husband, Russ, were honored with the FIRST CITIZEN AWARD from the TELEGRAPH HERALD. In 2004 she was named to the IOWA WOMEN'S HALL OF FAME.
As a memorial to her husband, Russell Nash, the program known as "Artstart," an outreach of the Dubuque County Fine Arts Society, was started in 2001. Designed for talented elementary students, the project provided after-school opportunities for talented students. For the pilot project, Artstart targeted students from Prescott, Fulton, St. Patrick and St. Mary schools. Several home-schooled students would also be included. Students were chosen on the basis of recommendations from their teachers. Initially six students were involved in pottery classes at Mississippi Mud Studio; seven were taking art classes at the DUBUQUE MUSEUM OF ART, one girl was a member of the Dubuque Youth Chorale, and another was enrolled in classes at the Academy of Ballet. (5)
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Source:
1. Voight, Sandye. "Nashes Bring Art, Culture to Dubuque," Telegraph Herald, November 10, 2008, p. 43
2. Gwiasda, Susan B., "Nashes TH First Citizens," Telegraph Herald, January 1, 1999, p. 1
3. Voight
4. Voight
5. Voight, Sandye," Perfect Fit," Telegraph Herald, February 23, 2001, p. 20
