After collecting just under $25,000 from corporate art sales, agricultural cooperative Growmark is splitting the proceeds among three local nonprofits.
The company recently moved its offices to 1705 Towanda Ave. in Bloomington. Matt Erickson, an artist and broker who also manages Harold Gregor's collection, sold 13 pieces of art that hung in the company’s former building. Many were created by Twin City artists.
From the proceeds, Home Sweet Home Ministries received $10,000, the Threshold to Hope art program received $5,000, and Illinois Art Station received $5,000. The remaining $5,000 will go toward Growmark's Giving Tuesday event on Dec. 2.
Nora Zaring, founder of Threshold to Hope, said the donation will help the organization continue offering affordable art classes.
“Thanks to this gift, we can continue that mission of offering art classes to children and adults on a pay-what-you-can basis,” Zaring said.
Ashley McClintock, Growmark's executive vice president of human resources and corporate services, said the company is “pleased that many pieces have found new homes and that the proceeds will inspire new artists and support our local nonprofit organizations.”
Twenty-seven pieces remain in the collection, ranging in size from large to small. Those interested in viewing the remaining pieces can contact Erickson directly.
