Calico Rock Museum Art & Science Center Building named to Memoralize Ben and Gloria Sanders’ son, Tom Tomlinson (Posted by Ginger Smith)
The Calico Rock Museum Art & Science Center building will be named in honor of a significant property gift by Ben and Gloria Sanders. The Tom Tomlinson Art & Science Center will memorialize Gloria’s son, Chef Tom Tomlinson, whose life was tragically cut short by a fire at his home a few years ago.
Mr. and Mrs. Sanders donated a significant portion of the cost of the property to the museum through a Bargain Sale Agreement. The agreement is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a way to sale properties substantially below fair market value to nonprofit charities. This allows the property seller to substantially reduce their income taxes, while make the purchase of a property more accessible to a certain 501 (c) (3) tax exempt organizations.
The property was formerly Don Quixote’s Restaurant where Tommy was the chef. It was a family operation. A dedication of the building will occur later this year once the new center opens.
The Tom Tomlinson Art & Science Center will include gallery space for the museum’s substantial art collection, a science museum with interactive exhibits, a space for artists in residence, meeting rooms, a classroom/studio/science lab, and a new retail store.
