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RFH 2010, Arts

Coye Mural Staying in Hamilton; Fund Raising Successful

Sat, Jan 09, 2010

Because of the hard work of a small band of folks and the generosity of the hometown the artist Lee Brown Coye adopted, the mural depicting the early days of this community is staying here.

The group Save The Mural today announced it has enough money in the bank and pledges to purchase he painting from business man Jim Metz, who earlier this year said he was going to remove the massive egg tempra painting and possibly sell it.

Hamilton artist Denise Stillwagon Leone, who led the rescue effort, said a $3,600 donation from Colgate -- fully 10 percent of the purchase price -- secured the painting that formerly hung in Hickey's Tavern on Lebanon Street.

"We are ecstatic," said Leone. "Everyone on the committee is feeling really great today."

However, Leone said it is now important for people who pledged to make contributions send their money to the village offices, which has been handling contributions.

The purchase price was $35,000. Leone added that the group sought to raise additional funds to provide perpetual care for the mural.  

The fund raising effort received a big boost earlier this month when Save The Mural held an auction of 23 of Coye's works donated by his family. The auction raised more than $10,400.

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