Hamra facilitates art donation worth more than $700,000

Springfield businessman Sam Hamra helped bring about the donation of 60 paintings valued at $710,200 to the Springfield Art Museum and colleges and universities, including four in Springfield.

Hamra announced the donations Tuesday at a press conference attended by Springfield Mayor Bob Stephens and other area dignitaries.

"I am hopeful that you will enjoy seeing the paintings which will enhance Springfield, Missouri," Hamra said.

The donated paintings include works such as Squirrel, a watercolor valued at $5,000 by Don Nice, a Yale-educated artist whose paintings are also at the National Academy Museum in New York and the University of Oklahoma.

The most expensive painting is Muriel's Grand Pavanne, valued at $35,000, a painting of a dancing nun done in egg tempera by artist Robert Vickrey, who lived in Naples, Fla.

Hamra predicted that the paintings will be worth more in the years to come.

"The value of these paintings will increase dramatically over the years," he said.

Hamra, who has a home in Naples, Fla., worked with Bill Meek of the Harmon-Meek Gallery in Naples on the donations. Hamra said the paintings previously belonged to the artists or their estates.

"I did it with their consent," Hamra said.

Hamra, an attorney, founded Hamra Enterprises, which owns and operates 83 restaurants and has real estate properties in Missouri, Texas, Illinois and Massachusetts.

Stephens thanked Hamra and his wife, June, for the donations.

"I want to thank you for bringing a little bit more art education to the city of Springfield," Stephens said.

Thirty-six paintings will go to the Springfield area. Drury University will get six paintings, Evangel University, five; Missouri State University, seven, Ozarks Technical Community College, four; and the Springfield Art Museum, 14.

The University of Missouri will receive seven paintings valued at $111,500. Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., will receive 10 paintings valued at $97,100, and Ohio Wesleyan University will receive seven paintings valued at $92,500.

Hamra stressed that he is not benefiting financially from the donations or receiving a tax break.

"These are bona fide gifts," he said. "Absolutely no financial gain. We're doing this out of the goodness of our heart."

Springfield recipients

• Drury University , six paintings valued at $42,900
• Evangel University , five paintings valued at $59,000
• Missouri State University , seven paintings valued at $91,000
• Ozarks Technical Community College , four paintings valued at $40,200
• Springfield Art Museum , 14 paintings valued at $176,000