This is a sketch I did for a potential logo for a biker bar. I TOTALLY ripped OFF a Rat Fink biker pict. I love it.

 

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I’m the featured cartoonist this week on:

http://sfcartoonists.blogspot.com/

Jackie did a Kickass mix of some of my favorite music.

Or is this just another case back stabbing?

Makes you wonder?

A few weeks ago Main Street/Downtown SF annouced they were going to do FREE family movies in Fawick park, cool. So what night would you do them? Tuesday? Sunday? Wed? Thursday? Nope. Saturday, you know the same night that people (adults) come downtown to enjoy a nightlife, not Disney.

But it gets better. Last week they announced they are going to do noon concerts by the FEDERAL courthouse. Guess what day? Friday. Yup the say freaking time the Old Courthouse has had there concert series for 10 years. Dumb. And on top of it, its all a part of a disgusting ad campaign for an air filtration system, Envive, (I mean chiropractic clinic)

BTW, love the bought graphic of the rock star!

Attack on local art uncalled for
By James T. Mathis
Sioux Falls
Published: June 8, 2007

Scott Ehrisman continues to use letters to the editor to complain about the so-called secrecy in the Sioux Falls art community. Now he has personally attacked Paul Schiller, and that is just plain wrong.

Schiller has been a longtime supporter of the arts in South Dakota, volunteering his time on boards, donating his company’s services and making his own financial contributions. On top of that, he has made a name for himself as one of the areas most popular visual artists. Guardian of secrecy is not on his curriculum vitae.

Before Ehrisman attacks me, let me make a few things clear.
I support the Washington Pavilion, SculptureWalk, the Sioux Empire Arts Council, local artists and other arts organizations, but I do not sit on any of their boards. I have not been a part of the juries for these events. I support the arts because I think it is good for our community.

In defense of the Arts Night at the Pavilion and SculptureWalk, there is good reason to insist that these events be juried – whether the goal is art for public enjoyment or to raise money. The quality of the art speaks volumes about the program. A good jury can make the difference between an art exhibit and a craft show.

Additionally, the Arts Night Event is an auction. Have you ever been involved with a fundraising auction? There are many factors to be considered. How much space is available to display the work? How many buyers can the space accommodate? In auctions I have worked at in the past, I have seen that more items for sale does not equate to more money raised; it just lowers the amount raised per piece.

Finally, in the letter, Ehrisman claims that the idea of artists retaliating against jurors “is hogwash,” but his personal
attack on Schiller is just that: retaliation.

The beauty of art is that it is subjective. That is the nature
of the beast. Rather than condemning the juries as biased or secretive, I think they should be congratulated for choosing work with such great diversity.

Our little city has a vibrant arts scene. For that we can all be proud.

 

MY RESPONSE:

Mr. James (Jim) Mathis,

I enjoyed your letter to the editor, I also enjoyed all the assumptions you made. We’ll get into that later.

First I want to say why did you fail to mention that you own ADWERKS advertising agency and are member of the SD AD Federation? I guess the best way to get to the top of the ladder is to aspire to be the ones at the top of that ladder. Or another words, birds of a feather flock together.

But let’s look at your letter.

“Scott Ehrisman continues to use letters to the editor to complain about the so-called secrecy in the Sioux Falls art community. “

The jurors names are still a secret. So I am unsure of what you mean by ‘so-called’?

“Now he has personally attacked Paul Schiller, and that is just plain wrong.”

What is wrong is the personal attack on the 34 artists that were rejected from Arts Night this year. Many of them contacted me. Some are nationally known and award winning artists. If you want to reject someone from a juried show, fine, but be honest about who you are and why you did so.

“Schiller has been a longtime supporter of the arts in South Dakota, volunteering his time on boards, donating his company’s services and making his own financial contributions.”

You say this like I have contributed nothing. I will put my artistic contributions up against Mr. Schiller’s any day of the week. I am a sponsor and supporter of SFJB Society and JazzFest one of the few non-profit art organizations that actually pays local artists to perform at JazzFest, JAM events and educate area youth through the Jazz Diversity project. I also have dedicated hours upon hours of my own time helping to market and promote local visual artists and musicians. By supporting local artists, you are supporting local art, because they create it. Organizations like the Washington Pavilion and SW, cannot do it on there own.

“On top of that, he has made a name for himself as one of the areas most popular visual artists.”

According to who? Paul Schiller? I am known as a SD cartoonist that has been featured in newspapers across the state, and my art has been in several regional and national exhibits. My work is featured on many political websites. I have also worked in the graphic design field for 13 years. But what does that have to do with the argument?

“Guardian of secrecy is not on his curriculum vitae.”

Then why not release the names of the jurors?

“Before Ehrisman attacks me, let me make a few things clear. I support the Washington Pavilion, SculptureWalk, the Sioux Empire Arts Council, local artists and other arts organizations, but I do not sit on any of their boards. I have not been a part of the juries for these events. I support the arts because I think it is good for our community.”

You are right, arts are good for our community, if they are pursued with honesty and integrity.

“In defense of the Arts Night at the Pavilion and SculptureWalk, there is good reason to insist that these events be juried – whether the goal is art for public enjoyment or to raise money. The quality of the art speaks volumes about the program. A good jury can make the difference between an art exhibit and a craft show.”

I said in both of my letters that I am not opposed to a jury show, yet you and Paul continue to bring that up.  I’m opposed to the secrecy of the jury, and the rejection of a donation. I don’t know how much clearer I can be?

“Additionally, the Arts Night Event is an auction. Have you ever been involved with a fund-raising auction? There are many factors to be considered. How much space is available to display the work? How many buyers can the space accommodate? In auctions I have worked at in the past, I have seen that more items for sale does not equate to more money raised; it just lowers the amount raised per piece.”

I have sat on the Arts Night planning committee. I have also worked for the Washington Pavilion and have had an exhibit in their gallery . . . I do understand.

“Finally, in the letter, Ehrisman claims that the idea of artists retaliating against jurors “is hogwash,” but his personal attack on Schiller is just that: retaliation.”

Do you know something that I don’t know? How can I retaliate against Schiller as a ‘juror’ if those names haven’t been released yet? You must know something I don’t.

“The beauty of art is that it is subjective. That is the nature of the beast. Rather than condemning the juries as biased or secretive, I think they should be congratulated for choosing work with such great diversity.”

It’s about respect for the artist and the art to.

“Our little city has a vibrant arts scene. For that we can all be proud.”

Maybe. But not because of Paul Schiller.

According to the book “Ethics and the Visual Arts” (a book endorsed by the American Association of Museums) in regards to a code of ethics developed by one museum director’s organization … “Artists who are trustees may not donate works of their own art to the permanent collection or  be considered for an exhibition of their work, either solo, group or juried.”

FACT: Paul is a trustee
FACT: Paul has had an individual exhibit at the Washington Pavilion
FACT: Paul has donated art to the Pavilion
FACT: Paul continues to sell his work at the Pavilion in marketplace shows
Also in this book . . . “Consultants who are trustees should not do paid work for the museum while serving on the board.”

FACT: Paul Schiller’s company has done many ‘paid’ projects for the Washington Pavilion.

If you want to argue with me about the integrity of Mr. Schiller, I’m up for the fight. Several of the 34 rejected artists have contacted me and support this fight for honesty and integrity, I’m not in this corner by myself. 

We don’t intend to lose this fight.
 

Thanks Pat for putting me on the front of the VOICES section in today’s Argus.

Now who is snickering, Kermit?

Crimestoppers has announced today that they are giving out a $1000 reward to whoever can lead them to the suspect. I guess the person better hope they have more friends then enemies.

I addressed the city council tonight about public art approval.

They chuckled when I came forward (or at least the ones I drew cartoons about).

The debate about the commemorative plaque is priceless, especially when Costello doesn’t know what art is and Knudson goes into an emotional speech about a coffeehouse mural. I was in stitches.

Here is the video Link once available, get out your popcorn:

http://www.siouxfalls.org/Cityclerk/agendas_minutes.aspx

This is what I said:

I wanted to start out by saying I’m not here to tell you how you should vote on the plaque resolution tonight. That’s your decision to make, and I hope you make the right one.

I’m here to address bigger issues this plaque resolution has brought to light; the financing and selection of public art in Sioux Falls.

I want to start out by saying that private funding of public art projects corrupts our political system. Not just in Sioux Falls but the rest of our nation.

I have a great interest in public art, and I am a supporter, especially when the public benefits from it in awareness and education. Notice I use the word ‘Public’. That is who is supposed to benefit from public art. Private industry, people with deep pockets, or supporters of political candidates should not be the focus of ‘Public’ art.

I have closely watched public art programs in our city over the last few years including the Visual Arts Commission and SculptureWalk. In fact I have applied to be on the VAC twice. The first time my application got ‘misplaced’ and the second time it was confirmed by a letter that it was received. There have been two vacancies that have existed for over a year now. As far as I know, my application is still sitting in a file cabinet at City Hall, and I’m still willing to serve.

I have seen some pretty major issues with the way public art is approved in our city, but there is some very simple solutions:

First, Eliminate conflicts of interest
This is referring to the Visual Arts Commission. One member had already voluntarily resigned in the past due to conflict of interest, but only after it was pointed out by a citizen. Do other members of the VAC have direct conflicts of interest? For instance the chair, Jerry Hauck. He is either a owner or co-owner of a private gallery and foundry. Wouldn’t some of his VAC decisions benefit his business? And vice chair, Stacey McMahan, is employed by an architecture firm that frequently works on city projects, does some of her decisions benefit her employer? These are important questions to ask. It seems these conflicts only ensure ‘certain’ artists’ art gets displayed in our community. Eliminate these conflicts and you will have a fair advisory board.

Secondly, Eliminate the powers of Parks and Rec to approve ANY art, plaque or memorial on their own.
I think if you eliminate any jurisdiction they may have over public art you will be guaranteed that no more public art will slip through the cracks of the approval process. The VAC was purposely designed to be an advisory group to the city, let them do their job, not the Parks & Rec or any other city department.

And, Lastly, Eliminate private funding of public art, or tighten the restrictions on private donations.
Public art should be publicly funded to ensure accountability and transparency. I know that private money helps. The Washington Pavilion and SculptureWalk both benefit from private funds. I think they can still accept private funds, but there should be tight restrictions on the donating party, such as maximum donation limits, and what perks, schwag and kickback the donating party receives. Just because someone donates money to create a sculpture that will be put on public property, like at the Law enforcement center & County courthouse, doesn’t mean the public should be left out of the process of approval or that there shouldn’t be an open call for the art. Lets take the Downtown Library sculpture for example. Was that approved by the VAC? Who purchased it? The City? Private funds? How was that piece selected? It seems the donating parties are the ones choosing the art, not the public, as in the case of the mayor’s plaque and the pieces I mentioned above.

I want to finish by saying, You all have the power to make one OR all of these changes. I hope that you will closely look at instituting some of these changes, for the betterment of our community and for the sake of public art in Sioux Falls. I agree that Sioux Falls has the infrastructure, and the potential to become an arts aware community, but only if we include the community in that process.