ORONO – The University of Maine Patrons of the Arts have recognized the contributions of Sandra and Ted Leonard with the Vincent A. Hartgen Award.

The award honors “people whose efforts are beyond the normal call of duty,” said Leonard Minsky, chairman of the patrons. The Leonards have been instrumental in raising funds for the relocation of the art department to Norumbega Hall in Bangor.

The award was created in honor of Vincent A. Hartgen, the artist and professor emeritus of the UMaine art department.

“I think we are very fortunate to live in a community that’s the size that can offer a lot of cultural amenities and other activities for people, but is also of the size where individuals can really make things happen,” said Sandra Leonard.

“Each one of these projects builds on the ones that preceded it, and that involves a lot of effort from a lot of people,” Ted Leonard said.

UMaine raised $400,000 to renovate Norumbega Hall, which was matched by the city of Bangor. The university must raise $350,000 more in advance of the facility’s expected opening in August.

Sandra Leonard is a financial consultant at A.G. Edwards in Bangor, and Ted Leonard is a partner with the law firm Eaton Peabody in Bangor.