By Sara Spieth, Eiteljorg Marketing and Communications Intern

Frank and Patte Owings at Taliesin West (Frank Lloyd Wright’s Home and School) in Scottsdale, Arizona.

For Frank and Patte Owings, the Eiteljorg is one of their favorite art museums, and they joined the Quest volunteer team because they wanted to help with the museum’s biggest fundraiser of the year as well as meet some of their favorite artists.

1. How long have you been volunteering with Quest and with the Eiteljorg? Why did you decide to start volunteering?

We both have been longtime volunteers at the museum. Patte has been a guide, worked in the museum shop and has volunteered for many opportunities including the Indian Market and Festival, Jingle Rails and special openings. Patte is also a photographic artist whose work was selected for one of the New Art of the West exhibitions. Frank and Patte Owings started volunteering at the Quest about 10 years ago. The Eiteljorg holds special interest to us: we are great fans of Western art.

2. What is the most enjoyable part of volunteering for Quest?

We enjoyed the fast pace of the event, and the excitement of the guests when the winners are selected. Folks are so thrilled when they win [the piece of art they bid on]!

Patte and Frank Owings at Quest 2019

3. What advice would you give to a first time Quest art-purchaser?

Educate yourself with the art works, read up on the artists and bid on works which speak to you. What art works you like; this is what is of the most importance.

4. What is one of your favorite moments from Quest?

We enjoy people watching, especially when many of the guests are wearing their finest Western attire.

5. When you tell people you volunteer for Quest and the Eiteljorg, what is one thing they always ask you?

“Where is the museum?” or “That’s sounds fun, where can we sign up?”

6. What is a fun fact about yourselves?

We enjoy working as a couple, collaborating on art projects. We recently worked together, with Frank as the writer, on a themed exhibition which featured the Western art works of the Midwest artist John Steuart Curry. The Cowboy Within, was a featured exhibition 2019-2020, at the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art, Manhattan, Kansas.