JEANE MUSSMAN HAMILTON,

passed on peacefully at home on June 15, 2022, after living a blessed life alongside many cherished family members and dear friends. Born March 6, 1926, in Indianapolis, Indiana, her early childhood was a joyous one filled with many pursuits, including riding and showing horses. She loved learning and was the valedictorian of her high school class. Jeane was a lifelong student of Christian Science and was spiritually fulfilled with this guiding inspiration. As the young bride of James Knox Hamilton, she moved to Little Rock in 1952. With an academic background in Art History Jeane found herself motivated to improve the somewhat lacking cultural offerings in Little Rock. It was with deep determination that she set out to have an impact upon the local arts scene.

Teaming up with the Junior League of Little Rock, they set a goal of building an art museum that all of Arkansas could enjoy. Between June 1959 and June 1960 over $200,000 dollars was raised. With the help of Gov. Winthrop and Jeanette Rockefeller, the League was able to meet their goal of $650,000 enabling construction of the Arkansas Arts Center. In 2007 she was awarded the Arkansas Arts Council Governor’s Award. Jeana’s love for and commitment to the AAC spanned over six decades. She was a lifetime member of the Board of Trustees and served on practically every committee. She co-chaired the first black-tie fundraiser, the Beaux Arts Ball. Her passion for travel and enchantment with cultural differences lead her to develop a unique fundraising vehicle, the Arkansas Arts Center Traveling Seminar program. Working in concert with local travel service, Poe Travel, she conceived and escorted ninety-four group departures around the world, expanding horizons for hundreds of AAC supporters and patrons.

She is survived by her daughter, Martha Louisa Hamilton. Services are pending and under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com