Friends of the Bowlus:

Foundation Fund, Operations Fund
Friends of the Bowlus
P.O. Box 705
Iola, Kansas 66749
Trustees
  • Mary Martin, President
  • Mary Ann Arnott, Vice President
  • Jerry Dreher, Secretary/Treasurer
  • Pat Armato
  • Emerson Lynn, Jr.
  • Jan Knewtson
  • Ken McGuffin
  • Gary Parker
  • Mary Ann Regehr
  • Virginia Macha
  • Paula Sutherland
  • Bill Wolf
  • Fred Works
  • Karen Works
  • Janet Nichols
A Little History
Friends of the Bowlus was created in 1993 to build a permanent endowment for the Thomas H. Bowlus Fine Arts Center. It is a non-profit, tax exempt, 501(c)3 corporation.
Major gifts from individuals, businesses and area industries have provided the bulk of the funds the Friends have spent on the Center. In addition, hundreds of individuals and business firms are dues-paying members. The $25 members pay each year to certify cultural enrichment the Center gives to Allen County and the area pays operating costs and helps to build the endowment.
Those who donate $1,500 or more are recognized on the panel mounted on the north wall of the lobby. A $500 gift entitles an individual or family to a memorial plate mounted on the back of an auditorium seat.
Special recognition will be made to those who sponsor a particular project. Please ask for particulars.
The Bowlus Center office in the building also serves as the office for the Friends. The director and office staffers are happy to answer questions about our organization and provide additional information. The telephone number is (620) 365-4765.

Here's Our Record
Since our founding in 1993 The Friends have invested more than $400,000 in the Bowlus Center in these ways:

For the Stage and Auditorium:
New Auditorium Roof
New Lighting System
New Lighting Fixtures
New Sound Equipment
New Cycloramas
New Spotlight
Auditorium Seats Reupholstered
Carpet Replaced
Recognition Plates

For Building Improvements:
Air Chiller Unit
New Sidewalks
Lower Lobby Chairlift
New Ceiling in Hallway
Half of the Cost of the New Art Gallery

What We Need Now:
Forty years have taken their toll. Right now, the Center needs:
A New Stage Floor
New Stage Curtains and Rigging
Upholstered Chairs for the Recital Hall
Acoustics Updated
New Tile and Baseboard Throughout
Rebuilt Grand Pianos
New Ceiling Tiles Throughout

We Invite Sponsors for any of these specific projects. We'd be delighted to put your name on any one of them, or your gift can be anonymous. Then when you come again, you can say, "I did that!" - or just smile inside. Check with us.