Back in the summer of 2006, I received a phone call from Dr. Laura Henkel inviting me to be a part of a truly ambitious project she was spearheading. She had reached out to several North American and Canadian artists and collectors who would eventually form the backbone of one of the most intriguing attractions being built in the international destination city of Las Vegas, NV.
It all began as Dr. Henkel traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with a curator from the Smithsonian to explore the possibility of collaborating on this groundbreaking project. The concept, still in development at the time, would soon materialize as the Erotic Heritage Museum – the first of its kind in Las Vegas. Dr. Henkel was laying the foundation for an extraordinary historical collection that would showcase sensual and erotic culture. I was fortunate to be invited to exhibit my “Bomber Gal” series, which had been gaining attention in Raleigh, NC. Being one of the artists residing closest to D.C. at the time made the trip an easy one.
I hopped in my Jeep and drove to Baltimore, Maryland, where we met and continued the journey together through heavy traffic into D.C. On the way, Dr. Henkel shared her vision for the museum in great detail, outlining how it would work with the investors, artists, and the purpose of her meeting at the Smithsonian.
The Erotic Heritage Museum was set to open in the summer of 2008. Dr. Henkel had been diligently collecting an impressive array of books, images, videos, sculptures, neon signs, mechanical pleasure devices, and erotic collectibles, spanning from modern times back to materials dating as early as the 14th century. Many of these items were donated or on loan from around the world. She also curated a diverse group of artists to showcase their work throughout the two-story building. The Grand Opening was an unforgettable event, featuring live performances, mechanical demonstrations, dominatrix shows, a self-marriage ceremony, sexy music, and, of course, appetizers and champagne.
What impressed me most was Dr. Laura Henkel’s extensive knowledge of the history of sex and intimacy, as well as her extraordinary ability to coordinate and direct. Her meticulous attention to detail was evident in every aspect of the museum. From the placement of objects to the lighting, she ensured everything aligned with the timeline of eroticism’s history. Each exhibit flowed seamlessly, creating a unified and cohesive presentation. Even the gift shop was thoughtfully curated to reflect the museum experience. Everything was so well executed!
Since then, Dr. Henkel has pursued other interests. She launched the successful Sin City Gallery in the Arts District of Las Vegas, and established the international juried art exhibition 12 Inches of Sin, which has also been published in several art books. Now, she develops special art projects for artists, collectors, and organizations. I continue to value our relationship to this day through her consultancy agency, ArtCulture PR.
– Rob Logic, Inaugural Artist (2008), Erotic Heritage Museum
