McCord Gallery celebrates opening of annex
Originally published May 4, 2017
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held April 17 at McCord Gallery and Cultural Center in Palos Park, to celebrate the completion of their new Anderson Annex for the Arts.
McCord Gallery personnel Lynne Terr, Carol Trzcinski, and Giovanna O’Malley provided insights into the building history, project details, and the future of the building. At the time of the ribbon cutting ceremony, classes were actively being conducted in two of the classrooms and a quaint shop was open to view the artistry and creative talents of some local artists.
Board member Deborah Hodges was selected to cut the ribbon. Her mother, Betty Anderson, was paramount in championing efforts to bring this project to fruition. Hodges performed the ceremony stating, “This is in memory of my mom, Betty Anderson, who recently passed. Her seed money was the foundation for the Anderson Annex.”
Board members Jeanne Krapauskas, Kent Oliven, Nancy Mitchell, and Carol Trzcinski were on hand for the ceremony, along with representatives from the construction company, Waner Enterprises, that built the beautiful annex.
“As a retired art teacher, it is a dream to have such a wonderful new gallery and historic home in my community,” Hodges said. “I’m looking forward to all of the wonderful exhibits and classes.”
Among the dignitaries present was Palos Park Mayor John Mahoney.
“With the Anderson Annex, the McCord Gallery has blossomed, and is now an iconic regional attraction for our community,” he said. “I’m proud to have the community and the village as the beneficiary of all of the hard work of the volunteers and the incredible philanthropic contributions of the Anderson family and others.”
Although the annex is new, the entire building blends the existing McCord House with the addition of the Anderson Annex in a creative way. Keeping the “eyebrow” arch detail of the windows, and creating a portico entrance to the annex, which matches the previous building, the new structure seamlessly flows from old to new.
Updated details inside the new annex include wall space for art displays, a kitchen area, gift shop and classrooms.
Giovanna O’Malley, director of Marketing and Events said the McCord Gallery & Cultural Center was formed through the interests and hard work of the local community.
“A passionate group of volunteers determined the fate of the McCord House … to be an arts center. Incorporated with 501(c)3 status in February 2003, the group took time to develop a fundraising campaign before opening in September of 2004,” she said. “McCord is a ‘welcoming home for the arts’ that outgrew its original space. The historic house on the hill was bursting at the seams due to a substantial number of art students and private music students. The Anderson Annex is completed and McCord is proud to say the least for artists of all ages to display their art as well as extending their art programs, outreach programs, cultural events, workshops and more.”
The Grand Opening for the McCord Gallery Anderson Annex was April 30., It included demonstrations, and a few surprises. More information about the facility is at www.mccordgallery.org.