SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) - A Springfield businessman has worked to bring donated artwork valued at nearly $710,000 to several institutions.
Sam Hamra announced the donations of 60 paintings to the Springfield Art Museum and colleges and universities earlier this week, The Springfield News-Leader reported (http://sgfnow.co/1qVkiuz ).
Several of the artworks will remain in the Springfield area, including six that are going to Drury University, five to Evangel University, and 14 to the Springfield Art Museum. The University of Missouri will receive seven paintings valued at $111,500. Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, will receive 10 paintings valued at $97,100, and Ohio Wesleyan University will receive seven paintings valued at $92,500.
The paintings include one valued at $35,000 by artist Robert Vickrey.
"I am hopeful that you will enjoy seeing the paintings which will enhance Springfield, Missouri," Hamra said. "The value of these paintings will increase dramatically over the years."
Hamra, an attorney, founded Hamra Enterprises, which owns and operates several restaurants and has real estate properties in Missouri, Texas, Illinois and Massachusetts. Hamra worked with Bill Meek of the Harmon-Meek Gallery in Naples, Florida, on the donations. Hamra said the paintings previously belonged to the artists or their estates.
Mayor Bob Stephens thanked Hamra and his wife, June, for "bringing a little bit more art education to the city of Springfield."