A Halloween fundraiser to raise funds for preservation of the mosaic mural on the exterior of the Cook County Whole Foods Co-op has been planned for Friday, Oct. 26 at the old Playhouse (above Betsy Bowen’s studio). It will be a family event early in the evening, with dancing for grown-ups later, and possibly a special dispensation (a license) to sell or serve beer and wine after the children leave.
The event will include activities for children, snacks and beverages, costume contests, and dancing for the adults. Admission will be a donation to the co-op mural.
Jeff Kern has been working with Dick Gilyard, a Twin Cities architect and preservationist who shares a passion for saving the mural. They have put together a conceptual package for the removal and storing of the mural and are finishing it to present to a number of construction firms who are capable of doing this type of work. They need specifics on both cost and logistics (particularly time), and they will need to meet with the construction company that is slated to rebuild the co-op.
Time is tight, and it looks like the mural can probably only be saved if the co-op delays its demolition. If the mural cannot be saved, everyone who donated will be contacted to see whether they would like their donation to go toward future public art projects or have it returned.
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