Fresh off their high-profile settlement in the Knoedler forgery trial, art collectors Domenico and Eleanore De Sole have been awarded the annual Service to the Arts award from the Anderson Ranch in Aspen, Colorado.

The award recognizes the couple’s work as arts advocates, supporting both artists and art institutions. Eleanore De Sole has served on the board of a number of arts institutions, including the Aspen Art Museum and the Savannah College of Art and Design, while Domenico De Sole is chairman of the board at Sotheby’s.

In January, the De Soles testified against Knoedler & Co. gallery and its former president Ann Freedman in Manhattan district court. The gallery, and Freedman, settled out of court in early February.

The sculpture and ceramics building at the Anderson Ranch.
Photo: courtesy the Anderson Ranch.

Nancy Wilhelms, the ranch’s director, praised the De Soles as “world-class collectors and passionate patrons of the arts” in a statement, recognizing their “tireless commitment to the advancement of art.”

The Anderson Ranch, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, is also honoring artist Carrie Mae Weems with the 2016 National Artist Award. Weems was recently awarded a CAA Award.

The artist Carrie Mae Weems.
Photo: Jerry Kleinberg.

Previous Service to the Arts award recipients include Debra and Dennis Scholl, Jane and Marc Nathanson, and Melva Bucksbaum and Raymond Learsy, among others. As a National Artist Award honoree, Weems is also in good company, among past winners Theaster Gates, Bill Viola, and Cindy Sherman, among others.

“I am a working girl who is so consumed and engaged with my work that I’m often surprised when anyone takes note,” said Weems of her win in a statement, while the De Soles added that they “could not be more honored.”

The awards will be presented on July 21, at the Anderson Ranch’s 20th Annual Recognition Dinner.