Denler Gallery History
The Denler Art Gallery located in the Totino Fine Arts Center was dedicated on December 4, 1997.
THE MAN BEHIND THE NAME
The Denler Gallery was named after Northwestern alumnus Dean E. Denler. After graduating from Northwestern in 1951, Dean and his twin brother Gene performed on trumpet and trombone at Billy Graham Crusades around the world before heading to Taiwan to serve as missionaries. In 1952, the Denler twins married sisters Ruth and Mary Barnett. Later the two families moved to Hong Kong to serve with the Navigators where Dean Denler died of cancer in 1960.
The Denler Gallery was funded by a gift from Jake and Marge Barnett. Jake Barnett, the brother of Ruth and Mary Barnett, also attended Northwestern. He was a Twin Cities builder, art collector, and a generous philanthropist.
But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God. – Acts 20:24
