MONROE - Margaret "Peg" Gunderson Stiles, the driving force in the formation of the Monroe Arts Center, died Friday, Nov. 8 at her home in Monroe. She was 89 years old.
Stiles' initial focus in 1974 was simply to save the historic Methodist Church building and its unique architecture at 13th Avenue and 11th Street, which is now the home of the MAC, according to Ron Spielman, Stiles' long-time neighbor and a MAC supporter.
At the time, three Methodist congregations were combining.
Though many people tried to dissuade her from the massive undertaking, Stiles was not deterred.
"She wouldn't listen to the word 'no,'" Spielman said.
"She was an interesting lady with great perseverance and tenacity," he added.
The building first became the Monroe Arts and Activity Center, MAAC, because supporters realized it had to have a purpose, a reason to exist, and that they would have to rent it out, Spielman recalled. Out of its back rooms, Blackhawk Technical College's Monroe campus and GreenCo Industries got their starts. BTC even held some classes in the building, as well as other locations around the city.
Eventually, MAAC was "fine-tuned to Monroe Arts Center," and has remained a viable arts center, Spielman said.
"The MAC building and its programs would have neither been saved nor grown without the initial efforts of Peg Stiles," he said. "I'm thoroughly convinced Peg impacted the quality of life in Monroe forever."
Spielman said Stiles greatly appreciated classical music. As part of its purpose to nurture an appreciation for the arts, MAC has an endowment for classical music, used to present an annual series and to bring people in, an effort that is "tied directly to Peg." This year, MAC has three classical music performances on Sundays.
The MAC building is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and hosts a performing art series, workshops and ongoing art exhibits. In 1981, Stiles earned a citation from the State Assembly for her work with the center.
Spielman also noted Stiles was a docent at the Elvehjem Museum of Art in Madison, a position that required deep study of and knowledge about the ever-changing displays.
"She was a grand lady and a role model," he added.
See her complete obituary, including information on visitation and a memorial service, under Obituaries.
Stiles' initial focus in 1974 was simply to save the historic Methodist Church building and its unique architecture at 13th Avenue and 11th Street, which is now the home of the MAC, according to Ron Spielman, Stiles' long-time neighbor and a MAC supporter.
At the time, three Methodist congregations were combining.
Though many people tried to dissuade her from the massive undertaking, Stiles was not deterred.
"She wouldn't listen to the word 'no,'" Spielman said.
"She was an interesting lady with great perseverance and tenacity," he added.
The building first became the Monroe Arts and Activity Center, MAAC, because supporters realized it had to have a purpose, a reason to exist, and that they would have to rent it out, Spielman recalled. Out of its back rooms, Blackhawk Technical College's Monroe campus and GreenCo Industries got their starts. BTC even held some classes in the building, as well as other locations around the city.
Eventually, MAAC was "fine-tuned to Monroe Arts Center," and has remained a viable arts center, Spielman said.
"The MAC building and its programs would have neither been saved nor grown without the initial efforts of Peg Stiles," he said. "I'm thoroughly convinced Peg impacted the quality of life in Monroe forever."
Spielman said Stiles greatly appreciated classical music. As part of its purpose to nurture an appreciation for the arts, MAC has an endowment for classical music, used to present an annual series and to bring people in, an effort that is "tied directly to Peg." This year, MAC has three classical music performances on Sundays.
The MAC building is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and hosts a performing art series, workshops and ongoing art exhibits. In 1981, Stiles earned a citation from the State Assembly for her work with the center.
Spielman also noted Stiles was a docent at the Elvehjem Museum of Art in Madison, a position that required deep study of and knowledge about the ever-changing displays.
"She was a grand lady and a role model," he added.
See her complete obituary, including information on visitation and a memorial service, under Obituaries.