GROWMARK Donates Proceeds from Corporate Art Sales

During October, GROWMARK donated proceeds from the sale of its corporate art collection to three local nonprofit organizations. The proceeds from the artwork to date totaled just under $25,000. Matt Erickson, a lifelong resident of Bloomington, artist, and art broker, was contracted to oversee the sale of more than 40 pieces of art starting in October of 2023 when GROWMARK moved to a new corporate office space at 1705 Towanda Avenue. 

Home Sweet Home Ministries received $10,000, Threshold to Hope art program received $5,000, and the Illinois Art Station received $5,000. The remaining $5,000 will be put toward GROWMARK’s Giving Tuesday event on December 2, during which teams of employees will deliver $5,000 checks to local nonprofit organizations. A separate release will be issued with details regarding GROWMARK’s Giving Tuesday event.

Nora Zaring, founder of the Threshold to Hope art program, says the gift will go far to help them continue to offer art classes. “Our mission is to offer hope and healing through art,” she said. “Thanks to this gift, we can continue that mission of offering art classes to children and adults on a pay-what-you-can basis.”

Erickson, who attended the check presentations, said it was an honor to help the artwork find new homes while generating funds that are being reinvested into the community.

“It’s a check from the local buyers, to me, to GROWMARK, to these nonprofit organizations, so it’s like a gift from the community,” he said. “Everyone benefits when we invest in art programs and our community’s nonprofit organizations.”

Erickson says 27 pieces remain in the collection, ranging in size from large to small and from geometrics to watercolor works to pastoral scenes. Those interested in viewing the remaining pieces can contact Erickson directly.

Ashley McClintock, Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Corporate Services with GROWMARK, says the organization is happy that the pieces, many created by local artists, have found their new homes.

“GROWMARK had a beautiful and diverse collection of art spread across five floors that was collected over forty years,” she said. “We’re pleased that many pieces have found new homes and the proceeds will inspire new artists and support our local nonprofit organizations.”

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Pictured left to right at Threshold to Hope: Sabrina Burkiewicz and Lindsey Meister, both of GROWMARK, Nora Zaring, founder of Threshold to Hope and Michael Erickson, founder of cometogetherplace

Pictured left to right at Home Sweet Home Ministries: Sabrina Burkiewicz and Lindsey Meister, both of GROWMARK, Matt Burgess, CEO of Home Sweet Home Ministries, and Michael Erickson, founder of cometogetherplace

Pictured left to right at Illinois Art Station: Lauren Bachman educator at Illinois Art Station, Rachel Ratliff, Education Coordinator at Illinois Art Station, Nicole Learned, Manager, Illinois Art Station, Michael Erickson, founder of cometogetherplace, Lindsey Meister and Sabrina Burkiewicz, both of GROWMARK