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January 6, 2022 | Galesburg, Illinois — Blick Art Materials will donate $250,000 to the Galesburg Public Library Foundation. The library’s capital campaign will fund the development of a new library building, with Blick’s donation supporting the creation of a display area for local artists and authors and a community patio. The five-year, $250,000 amount will be dispersed in annual $50,000 increments, and serves as a substantial company gift towards the library’s fundraising efforts. Blick strives to give back to the city of Galesburg where it was founded in 1911, and the company hopes that this donation will further enrich the community.
“Blick is proud to give back to the Galesburg community, a place that has been our home for over 110 years. Galesburg has supported us in becoming the country’s leading supplier of quality art materials,” said John Polillo, Executive Vice President of Operations. “As longtime supporters of arts education, it is our hope that this gift inspires future generations of artists and creative thinkers from every field.”
The Galesburg Public Library has served the community since 1874, and the current building was built in 1961. The new library building will include various indoor and outdoor gathering spaces and workspaces, including the community patio which will provide a place for patrons to read, work, and enjoy outdoor green spaces and gardens. The display for local artists and authors will aid in the library’s efforts to keep community members connected and promote engaged learning. The library recently surpassed the $2 million mark in its fundraising efforts and a bid for construction has been awarded to Williams Brothers Construction, Inc. Their goal is to have the new building completed by the end of 2023.
Founded in Galesburg, Illinois in 1911, Blick Art Materials is the largest and oldest provider of art supplies in the United States. Its products cater to the full spectrum of artists — from the youngest child to gallery-represented professionals. A long-time advocate of art education in the U.S., Blick also provides support for scholastic, collegiate, and professional art shows, both financially and through materials that emphasize the benefits of art education. For more information, visit DickBlick.com.