(Okoboji)– It was announced Monday the Lakes Art Center is the recipient of two very substantial gifts from Gerald L. “Bud” Pearson and his wife Beverly of Okoboji.
Tom Fuhrman, President of the Lakes Art Center’s Board of Directors, says one of the gifts is a collection of Russian and Soviet Impressionist paintings titled “Discovered Treasures” that is currently housed and travels nationally through the Lakes Art Center. The 40 works of Soviet Impressionism, acquired after the fall of the Iron Curtain, have traveled to numerous museums throughout the midwest and are valued in excess of a million dollars.
In addition, the Pearsons have also pledged in excess of a half million dolars to build two additional art galleries at the Lakes Art Center to permanently house the collection. The galleries are being designed by an Omaha architect and are scheduled for completion in July, 2007.
The Pearsons have been long-time supporters of the Lakes Art Center. In 1989 their challenge gift was the key that resulted in the building of the new art center. In 2001 they also made a significant gift for the expansion of the center that included a 300-seat theatre, a large multi-purpose hall, interactive gallery and a library.
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