Springfield businessman facilitates art donations

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- A Springfield businessman has helped bring artwork valued at about $710,000 to several institutions.

Sam Hamra announced the donations last week of 60 paintings to the Springfield Art Museum and colleges and universities.

The Springfield News-Leader reported six pieces of artwork are going to Drury University, five to Evangel University and 14 to the Springfield Art Museum.

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

Hamra, a lawyer, founded Hamra Enterprises. It owns and operates several restaurants and has real estate properties.

Hamra said the paintings previously belonged to the artists or their estates.

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Information from: Springfield News-Leader, http://www.news-leader.com