ArtHaus receives $7,500 grant from West Bend Insurance

(Left to right): A&J Petersburg Agency co-owner Mark Lovelace, ArtHaus Co-director Lea Donhowe Lovelace and West Bend Mutual Insurance Company CFO Dale Kent

West Bend Mutual Insurance Company's Independent Agents' Fund has given a $7,500 grant to ArtHaus in Decorah.

The West Bend grant will be used to help fund free and low-cost community events, a youth scholarship program and the new ArtHaus Apprentice Program.  The ArtHaus Apprentice Program was created for students, ages 13 to 16, in a year-long, after-school and weekend program for aspiring artists interested in exploring creativity, mentoring,  community and youth entrepreneurship.

Co-directors Lea Donhowe Lovelace and Kristen Underwood opened ArtHaus in 2008 to provide a venue for art education and fine art experiences.  A&J Petersburg Agency co-owner Mark Lovelace, Lea Lovelace's husband, nominated ArtHaus for the West Bend grant. A&J Petersburg Agency represents West Bend Insurance.

The West Bend Independent Agents' Fund was established in 2006 for nonprofit organizations served by the independent insurance agents who represent the company.  Since 2006, grants from the West Bend Independent Agents' Fund total nearly $700,000.