We received the following press release from LowellArts regarding their Moving to Main Campaign.  

For Immediate Release

Contact: LowellArts, Lorain Smalligan, Executive Director
Phone: 616-897-8545
Email:  [email protected]

 

LowellArts’ “Moving to Main” Campaign Goal Reached

Lowell, Michigan: Lowell Area Arts Council, DBA LowellArts‘ Executive Director Lorain Smalligan announced today the successful completion of their $1.25 million “Moving to Main” capital campaign.

“We want to thank everyone who supported our campaign and to let the whole community know that we have successfully raised the entire amount of our $1.25 million goal. Our list of lead gift supporters is impressive, but even more so is the outpouring of support our community, individual members and friends have shown us,” Smalligan said.

The campaign was launched in the summer of 2015 with lead gifts both in cash and in-kind from numerous corporations, foundations, businesses and individuals not the least of which was long-time LowellArts supporter and $1-per-year landlord, King Milling Company. In total, over 350 supporters from throughout the Lowell Community and beyond have contributed toward the purchase and renovation of the two adjoining buildings on the northwest corner of Broadway and Main streets. The campaign reached its goal thanks to final additional gifts from the Lowell Area Community Fund, James and Sally Gunberg Family, and King Milling Company.

Janean Couch, Lowell Area Community Fund, says, “We are pleased to support LowellArts and even more excited to see the community’s support and energy around helping them to solidify their new permanent home. They are an integral part of the Lowell community.”

The James and Sally Gunberg Family share, “We are so pleased that LowellArts has found a prominent and permanent home on Main Street as it continues to provide the greater Lowell area with so many life enriching opportunities.”

Brian Doyle, President of King Milling Company, says, “We are proud to support LowellArts and are very happy that they are able to achieve their goal of moving to Main Street to expand their arts programs and classes.”

“Early on, our Board felt that LowellArts should be on Main Street, and the Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce and the Lowell business community made it clear that they agreed with us. Our past home on Hudson Street had served us well for over 35 years, but we felt that it was time to challenge our organization and make the move. We opened our doors briefly in November of 2016 for our Holiday Artists Market and immediately saw a 30% increase in artwork sales. Early in 2017 we completed construction and officially opened our doors that February. We began to see the impact of our move to Main Street almost immediately. Our expanded gallery space, performance area and newly-created series of musical House Concerts has increased foot traffic and visits to neighboring shops and restaurants, and they in turn are sending their patrons to visit us. It is a win-win for all of us,” stated Smalligan.

About LowellArts: The mission of LowellArts is “connecting regional artists and audiences through the visual and performing arts,” and to engage, enrich, entertain and educate our community through all facets that the arts have to offer. We want to continue the growth of Lowell, creating a thriving, diverse community that supports its neighbors just as they have supported us. LowellArts will continue to offer a wide variety of arts programs and activities to support this mission. For more information, please visit www.lowellartsmi.org.

Lowell Area Arts Council DBA LowellArts is a 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organization.