Local business owners Laura Fendt and Kamal Hammouda of the restaurant Relish are hosting the "Art for the Park" sale to benefit the Central Park Campaign through January 6, 2016. The sale was kicked off on December 6th. A percentage of Hammouda and Fendt's art sales will be donated to the Central Park Campaign.
More than twenty pieces of art are included in the sale featuring the following artists: Tim Spears, Pete Brand, Jack Robertson, Judy Garland, Jill Schrift, Bobbie McKibbin (multiple pieces), JW Lundquist, Laura Gibbons, Rasheed Hammouda, Carlos Ferguson, Dan Ferro (multiple pieces) as well as other artists. Many of the artists were students of McKibbin's.
Laura and Kamal decided on an art sale because "this is our park, it's across the street from our home and restaurant. We are combining two things that have enhanced our lives over the years, the art that we own and the park. Both have been a source of pleasure and beauty".
Kelly Rose, Grinnell Parks and Recreation Director thanks the couple for their support and adds "this is a unique opportunity for the Central Park Project and I am excited that Kamal and Laura approached us for the 'Art for the Park' event. With the holiday's approaching this could be the perfect gift giving idea."
Other fundraising efforts for the Central Park improvement project are well underway, with more than $300,000 pledged towards the $1 million goal for private gifts. The Campaign committee hopes to complete fundraising efforts by December 31, 2015. A public input session is being planned for the end of December or beginning of January 2016. The Campaign committee is also selling bricks for $50 and $75 that will be placed in the park.
The total project is estimated to cost $3.5 million, with more than $2 million in grants from the Iowa Reinvestment Act, Iowa Great Places, and hotel-motel taxes. Donors to the Central Park Project may send checks (memo line: Central Park) to GPCF, P.O. Box 344, Grinnell, Ia., 50112, donate online at www.greaterpcf.org, or contact Nicole Brua-Behrens, GPCF program coordinator, at 641-236-5518.