DR. LAURA HENKEL: LEADING EXPERT IN EROTIC + LGBTQ+ ART, EPHEMERA, AND LIBRARY APPRAISALS
DISCOVER UNMATCHED EXPERTISE IN VALUING EROTIC ART, LGBTQ+ COLLECTIONS, AND RARE CULTURAL ARCHIVES
Dr. Laura Henkel brings over two decades of expertise in appraising and curating specialized collections for acquisition, charitable donation, and cultural legacy. Her qualifications distinguish her from other professionals in appraisals, particularly within the niche of erotic and LGBTQ+ collections, including art, ephemera, books, archives, film, apparel, accessories, collectibles, curios, oddities, and more. Dr. Henkel also excels in documenting the life’s work of underground artists and authors, whose creations often reflect autobiographical narratives that have shaped cultural movements and challenged societal norms.
With a Doctorate in Human Sexuality and a Ph.D. in Erotology from the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality (IASHS) in San Francisco, California, Dr. Henkel is a pioneer in her field. During her academic journey, she attended one of the few institutions in the U.S. offering comprehensive programs dedicated to human sexuality studies: IASHS. Founded in 1975 alongside its nonprofit parent organization, the Exodus Trust, IASHS arose from 1960s research that highlighted a lack of formal education on human sexuality. Its degree programs focused on public health, sex therapy, and sexological research, providing academic training unavailable elsewhere.
Dr. Henkel also served as an Assistant Professor at IASHS, where she created and taught the course Erotic Art: Exploring Its Value in Education and Commerce to graduate students. The course examined the educational and commercial significance of erotic art, delving into how it intersects with broader cultural narratives and the global art market. Through her teaching, Dr. Henkel advanced academic discourse on the value of erotic art.
Understanding her credentials requires context: Puritanical standards deeply shaped early American attitudes toward sexual rights. These conservative ideals were reinforced by J. Edgar Hoover, the first director of the FBI, who aggressively pursued individuals and organizations connected to materials deemed "obscene." Hoover's efforts led to a federal framework that criminalized various forms of sexual expression, culminating in a series of landmark Supreme Court cases in the 1950s that sought to define the boundaries of acceptable speech. After Hoover's death in 1972, debates on obscenity escalated, especially in the 1980s when Senator Jesse Helms spearheaded efforts to restrict federal funding for the arts. A key controversy involved Robert Mapplethorpe's exhibit, supported by institutions like the Institute for Contemporary Art at the University of Pennsylvania, Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, and the National Endowment for the Arts. (Art, Obscenity, and the First Amendment: Judith Bresler, New York Law School).
In this climate, many collections of art and ephemera were hidden for fear of legal repercussions or social condemnation. Despite these challenges, IASHS preserved an unparalleled collection of rare materials, safeguarded by the Exodus Trust. This vast repository included artifacts, books, curiosities, films, and ephemera related to sexuality, housed in 25 warehouses. A restricted section was maintained for particularly controversial works, accessible to scholars upon request for study. As a state-regulated institution, IASHS could amass such an archive and offer academic programs free from federal restrictions. This innovative model later paved the way for universities like Brown, Cornell, and Princeton to incorporate human sexuality studies without risking federal funding. IASHS remained a trailblazer in sexuality education and preservation until its closure in 2018.
Dr. Henkel’s dual degrees in Human Sexuality and Erotology, the latter being particularly groundbreaking, granted her access to IASHS’s archives. This led to her dissertation project, Building a Museum: Sex Education Through Art, and her efforts to establish the Erotic Heritage Museum (EHM), which opened in 2008 under the patronage of Harry Mohney. Dr. Henkel conceptualized and designed the museum's 24,000-square-foot layout and curated permanent and rotating exhibitions that spanned historical and contemporary art forms. The space invited patrons to engage with exhibits at their own pace, presenting a nuanced view of the cultural evolution of erotic expression.
To engage diverse audiences, Dr. Henkel curated 7,000 square feet of temporary exhibitions every six months, meticulously selecting works to complement or contrast various themes and artistic media. The exhibitions fostered dialogue, encouraging patrons to explore complex narratives around sexuality and identity. The museum became a dynamic space where visitors could interact with rare books, artifacts, and films, promoting a deeper understanding of human sexuality. Dr. Henkel also developed educational workshops and programming, which invited community engagement and creative expression. The museum’s ability to evolve with new cultural narratives made it a landmark institution, garnering accolades for its innovation under her leadership.
Through her global travels to develop strategic partnerships for the museum, Dr. Henkel gained a profound understanding of diverse artistic, historical, and cultural landscapes. Her ability to bridge cultural divides and identify shared human experiences allows her to curate collections that resonate with global audiences. Her curatorial work extends beyond showcasing rare artifacts; it also involves uncovering items long hidden from view. Dr. Henkel is deeply committed to establishing the provenance of these items, ensuring their historical and cultural significance is documented for future generations.
In 2010, Dr. Henkel founded Sin City Gallery, specializing in contemporary erotic art. Over nearly a decade, she curated monthly exhibitions and thought-provoking lectures, often thematically tied to the exhibitions, and launched the internationally recognized 12 Inches of Sin juried art exhibition. What began as a modest exhibition expanded into a full-scale art festival, occupying a 42,000-square-foot venue and encompassing a diverse range of artistic expressions, from visual to performance art. Its sustained popularity attracted artists from 27 countries and garnered international recognition for its intellectual depth and artistic sophistication.
Today, collections once hidden due to social stigma or criminalization are being recognized for their immense historical value. Dr. Henkel’s expertise in appraising these collections is rooted in her deep understanding of the social, legal, and cultural shifts that have redefined their importance. She has conducted numerous appraisals of rare and valuable artifacts, ensuring each piece is diligently documented and its provenance firmly established.
Her bespoke appraisal services are tailored to the unique demands of each collection, considering the nature, volume, and location of the works. Whether for acquisition, charitable donation, insurance, or legal purposes, Dr. Henkel ensures that every facet of the appraisal is handled with precision and care, reflecting the needs of each client. Her leadership in this field underscores her unwavering commitment to preserving these valuable collections for academic research and cultural heritage.
Explore Dr. Henkel’s Next-Level Expertise in appraisal services and learn more about her Donation Guidance, designed to provide strategic insights and help you make informed decisions about the future of your collections.