25 Years of Fox Valley Artistic Excellence Celebrated at the Recent Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony with Seven Winners

Photo credit: James Harvey Photography

2026 Inductees (l to r) John Ulven for Juel Ulven, (dec’d); Courtney Reed, Kathy Konopka for Stanley Konopka; Leslie Hunt; Denise Crosby and Kelly Barr

Class of 2026 Inducted into the Fox Valley Arts Hall of Fame (FVAHF) Friday, March 27

FVAHF Celebrates A Quarter Century Honoring Artistic Excellence in the Fox Valley

Celebrating a quarter century of honoring artistic excellence, the Fox Valley Arts Hall of Fame inducted its Class of 2026 at a banquet Friday, March 27 at Eagle Brook Country Club. Inductees are Kelly Barr, classical music; Denise Crosby, journalism; Leslie Hunt, popular and progressive music; Stanley Konopka, classical music; Mary Beth McCarthy, choral music; Courtney Reed, theatre and Juel Ulven, folk music. Susan S. Starrett received the inaugural Fox Valley Arts Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award.

At its inception in 2000, the Fox Valley Arts Hall of Fame (FVAHF) focused on promoting traditional classical arts.  FVAHF was a dream of area arts leaders that took form during Millennium celebrations.  A series of two-minute history sketches for public television put the spotlight on violinist Maud Powell, an Aurora resident who a century earlier, had the musical world at her feet. This project evolved into the Fox Valley Arts Hall of Fame. In 2026, inductees now include representatives of folk and progressive rock, and two (2) of its youngest inductees ever - Leslie Hunt and Courtney Reed.

The Fox Valley Arts Hall of Fame (FVAHF) is a nonprofit organization that gives public recognition to artists associated with the Fox Valley.  A second objective of the FVAHF is to ensure a strong cultural legacy for future generations. A portion of the banquet proceeds are used to promote the arts in the Fox Valley with a free event for children and the community.  For more information, email info@fvahf.org, visit our Facebook, and Instagram pages, or our website at FVAHF.org.

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