An Artistic Union
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Camille Cohen
Team Eisert
Artists Eileen Wade and Donna Huellinghoff make quite an impression. When they met working at a Micheal’s craft store almost 30 years ago, they had no idea they’d become close collaborators and good friends. The pair has worked together to bring local history and community themes to life through art. They are the go-to artists in town, serving the community needs for small things like holiday window decor, and large things like the murals that decorate downtown Union. Their work often captivates passerby’s, earning them many high fives and words of praise from the community they serve.
Their latest project is expected to be their last, and it’s taken its toll. Eileen fell during setup and broke her ankle, delaying the project six months. This week, they finally return to the wall that’s been waiting for them. Eileen will then retire due to the physical nature of the job aggravating her health concerns. “We always joke that we should’ve started doing this 20 years ago,” said Eileen.
Eileen Wade, center, and Donna Huellinghoff, left, greet local families as they paint the windows of businesses in the center of town on Sept. 24, 2025. in Union, Mo. “It takes a long time [to finish the paintings] because people stop to chat. But we feel very blessed to get to do what we do,” said Eileen.
Eileen Wade, left, and Donna Huellinghoff, right, paint on the windows of The White Rose, a diner at the heart of Union on Sept. 23, 2025.
Eileen Wade paints windows while Addie, 9, enjoys dinner on Sept. 23, 2025 at The White Rose.
Donna, right, peels gaffer’s tape off her hands while painting the windows on Sept. 23, 2025 at The White Rose. Her collaborator, Eileen, continues painting in the background. “I always say we’re like a train: She’s the engine making everything go, and im the caboose holding us back," said Donna.
Donna, left, and Eileen share a laugh as they wait for their mural materials to print at the copy shop on Sept. 24, 2025. “We’re two halves of the same brain," said Eileen.
Eileen, top, and Donna, left, set up an overhead projector for their mural outline outside the University of Missouri Extension Office. The project picked up after a six month delay, when Eileen fell and broke her ankle during setup.
Eileen Wade, top, and Donna paint a mural about the identity and history of Union.
Paint brushes that Donna and Eileen use for their murals.
Eileen, top, and Donna paint a mural about the identity and history.
Details of Eileen and Donna’s various murals that decorate the town. They’ve painted six so far, and many of them center themes of patriotism and the history of Union.
Friends embrace during the second-ever Music in the Park event in Hansen Park. The first mural that Eileen and Donna collaborated on, which features the history of Union, hangs over the community as they gather.
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