Firm to assess art from fire

LEWISTON – The state has hired a Chicago-based company to help assess the damage to artifacts at the Lewis-Clark State College Center for Arts and History after a fire closed the gallery space earlier this year.

Kathy Martin, dean of community programs at the college, said O’Connell International Arts, Inc., will help remove the artwork and assist in cleaning and developing a plan to restore the pieces. Martin said the March 5 fire was accidentally started in a kitchen. The college hopes to move the artwork to a temporary gallery space in Lewiston next month.