Hanna Oil makes big donation to Art Center

The Fort Smith Art Center received a $25,000 donation from Fort Smith-based Hanna Oil & Gas for a capital campaign to renovate a donated building at 1601 Rogers Ave. — formerly a Superior Federal branch bank.

Arvest Bank donated the former branch back — acquired in its $211 million purchase of Superior Federal Bank in late 2003 — to the Fort Smith Art Center in early January so center officials can expand their space to exhibit art, photos and provide other services. The donation, however, is contingent upon art center officials raising $200,000 by June 1.

“We are now at little over $100,000 dollars that has been given, and we anticipate making an announcement within the month on at least two other corporate gifts,” Teresa Carver, FSAC director, said in a statement to The City Wire.

 The FSAC is in in the midst of a goal to raise $2 million for installing specialized heating and air-conditioning systems needed for displaying temperature- and moisture-sensitive art. Carver said $1.4 million is for building renovation, and the remainder to cover operating costs for two years.

“With this, we can qualify to bring traveling exhibits and shows to Fort Smith that the citizens deserve. A temperature fluctuation of 3 degrees or less will also open the doors to loans from reputable art galleries and museums across the country,” Carver explained.
 
Carver said the Art Center board and staff hope to begin the work by summer’s end, and be in the building by Spring of 2010.

“The $200,000 was the amount needed to show Arvest that the community is behind the project and willing to make it sustainable. We are to meet with them in June to demonstrate that, and thus far, they are very convinced,” Carver said.