McCord Gallery Looks to Expand With An Already Rolling Fundraising Drive

Fundraising efforts for the are off to a quick start thanks to two large donations.

The arts center, housed in a mid-19th century home in Palos Park, recently announced . The planned Anderson Annex for the Arts will house additional gallery and classroom space as well as an auditorium and stage for live performances. 

The goal of the fundraising campaign is $1.225 million. That number is already in sight thanks to two large donations. Betty Anderson donated $225,000 in 2008 toward future expansion, and on Wednesday it was announced that Cynthia and Jack Weglarz will match all donations to the project up to $500,000.

"We wanted other people to be able to share in the joy of this endeavor," Cyntia Weglarz said. "We think it is a community treasure and what nicer place to have to present the arts."

The Weglarz donation will match contributions, dollar-for-dollar.

The campaign is co-chaired by McCord Board president Nancy Mitchell and former Palos Park village administrator Pat Jones.

Jones led the village's effort to annex the house in 2003 and establish it as a center for the arts.

"At that time we were very concerned that the house would fall into development," Jones said. "the idea for the village was always that this would be a community building."

McCord offers dozens of art classes for children and adults, as well as music lessons, concerts, lectures and historical preservation programs. In six years, McCord's operating expenses have tripled and total class attendance now stands at 388. Another 120 students take private music lessons each quarter.

Betty Anderson's daughter Deborah Hodges remarked on the importance of having a community resource that emphasizes education in the arts at a time when many school arts programs face financial challenges.

"For the local area to have this facility available to have theses classes . . . it is just something that is very near and dear to the Anderson family," Hodges said. 

If everything goes as planned, fundraisers hope to break ground in less than three years on the new addition. (Design pictures can be viewed in the included photo gallery.)

In today's economic climate, raising money can often be a difficult task. However, Mayor John Mahoney expressed confidence in McCord's volunteers.

"Now we have another task ahead of us that is harder than the first one, but I don't think that is is a long shot," Mahoney said.

The McCord Gallery and Cultural Center is holding a June 10 and 11. McCord will also hold their annual on Saturday, June 25.

If you are interested in donating to the project, you can contact the McCord Gallery at 708-671-0648.