Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
NASH, Ruth
NASH, Ruth. (Minneapolis, MN - ). Civil rights activist and patron of the arts. Nash was honored with her husband Russ by the DUBUQUE COUNTY FINE ARTS SOCIETY for their contributions to the cultural environment of Dubuque. Together they co-founded the 4th Street Artist Gallery and were involved in the Eleventh St. Neighborhood Association.
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.
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. In 1998 she and her husband, Russ, were honored with the FIRST CITIZEN AWARD from the TELEGRAPH HERALD.