ArtStart receives major gift honoring founding member toward boiler replacement campaign

ArtStart has received a generous donation in honor of the late Ken Juon, a founding member of the organization and longtime treasurer. Juon, who passed away in 2024, was deeply committed to ArtStart and known for his tireless stewardship of the century-old boiler that heated the building’s gallery, studios, and community spaces.

In a statement, Juon’s family shared:

“It was Ken’s self-appointed mission to care for the building’s 100-year boiler that had warmed ArtStart’s gallery, community rooms and studios. But the boiler’s aging system was breaking down more often and repair parts were no longer available. Ken had many names for the old dame — most of them uttered softly and not repeatable. So when ArtStart decided to fundraise for a new boiler, we knew we had to honor all the love Ken had given her for the past 13 years, and donated what we hope will help secure ArtStart’s heating needs for many more years.”

This heartfelt gift of $25,000 has helped bring ArtStart’s fundraising campaign, Keep It Hot at ArtStart, to a current total of $36,300 toward the $46,000 fundraising goal needed to replace the original 1919 boiler.

Since its founding in 2011, ArtStart has welcomed the community into its historic downtown space with:

• Over 20,000 visitors.

• 108 gallery exhibitions.

• 880 programs and events.

• More than 2,500 youth art participants.

• Collaborations with 150+ local, regional, and national organizations.

The new boiler will ensure ArtStart can continue to provide a warm and welcoming home for the arts in the Northwoods for decades to come.

“We are incredibly grateful to Ken and his family for this generous gift, ” said Ashley McLaughlin, programs and operations director at ArtStart. “And we invite our community to join in honoring Ken’s legacy and help us close the final gap to reach our goal.”

ArtStart had previously received an anonymous and generous donation of $100,000 and secured a Focus on Energy grant of $50,000. This, along with the Juon gift and other impactful individual contributions, brings the total fundraising effort to about $186,300. The organization is less than $10,000 from reaching its goal.

“We are profoundly grateful for the generous lead gifts to this campaign — including a $100,000 anonymous contribution and $25,000 given in honor of Ken Juon. At the same time, we are equally moved by the many heartfelt gifts from community members.  Each contribution, regardless of size, carries tremendous value and together they ensure ArtStart can continue to thrive for years to come.” says Sue Bessert, ArtStart board president.

As boiler replacement is scheduled to begin in mid September, ArtStart is seeking contributions to cover the final $9,700.