Ruby and Diamond Pendant-Necklace

The William King Museum of Art is a visual arts and cultural heritage museum with a mission to promote arts education and preserve the cultural heritage of Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee. Through programs and exhibitions of fine art, they aim to promote an accurate representation of the region’s important place in the history of American decorative arts and material culture. Since first opening in 1992, the museum has continued to serve as an institution of scholarship and education for visitors and students who walk through its galleries. The museum has taken a leading role in promoting arts education for childhood development and adult enrichment. In the absence of robust programming in rural Virginia, the William King Museum plays a crucial role in exposing its community to the arts.

In 2017, “Dressed by Design” was exhibited at the museum as a tribute to the late Fran Keuling-Stout of Big Stone Gap, Virginia. Her collection of haute couture comprised designs from the likes of Giorgio Armani, Alexander McQueen, Ralph Lauren, and many more. Her wardrobe was a representation of her. It was her own form of design, fusing fashion and style into individual art form.

Born in the Bronx, New York, education was always an important part of Fran’s life. After receiving a bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University and two master’s degrees from New York University, she went on to teach English at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte. Fran and her husband Henry, were longtime patrons of the museum, supporting and appreciation their educational efforts. After Fran’s passing, her husband, Henry, donated her jewelry to the museum to help raise funds for their children’s art education fund. It is Sotheby’s pleasure to be able to help honor Fran’s legacy while helping the William King Museum to further its important educational goals.