This morning on my way to work I stopped by Michelle’s coffee for a cup of Joe. Michelle was talking to me about my exhibit and a piece that someone wanted to purchase. A lady at the counter realized I was the artist, so instead of saying somthing to me, she chastized Michelle for the show. She said something like “I know it’s art, but . .. ” But what? You are Un-American? You don’t beleive in the First Amendment? Really, tell us how you feel. Then she went on to complain about my painting ‘American History 101’ She said as a Christian she was offended. I would be too, offended that American Christianity is a joke. One of the reasons I left the faith, is because they refuse to follow the teachings of their savior, Jesus Christ.

I guess the truth hurts.

I stayed out of the conversation, I figured if Michelle wanted me to comment, she would have said something, besides, I’m a bearcat in the morning.

Michelle lost a customer today, I guess the hazelnut syrup bottle will get dusty now.

On some rare occasions, we get a few good shows in Sux Falls:

Friday, June 1st, Nutty’s North: Propaghandi

Tuesday, July 3rd, Ramkota: Social Distortion

Friday-Saturday, July 20-21, JazzFest: Robert Cray & Derek Trucks

Thursday, August 9, Nutty’s North: Reverend Horton Heat

These were the Mayor’s awards for the arts. David seems to be missing something. How fitting.

Let me know, and you will get an ARTISTIC prize.

 

In Paul Schiller’s recent letter about Arts Night he failed to tell readers a few important details. Like how he represents both SculptureWalk and the Washington Pavilion as either a present or past board member, a juror or a financial contributor. In fact the company he founded, Lawrence & Schiller, was a major sponsor of Arts Night this year.

Schiller states, “When an artist submits work … you do so knowing that it’s a credible organization that has a fair and qualified selection process. That is the case with both the Washington Pavilion’s Arts Night and our ever-popular SculptureWalk.” How does he know? Is Schiller a juror for Arts Night? If he was on the jury, how did the jurying process maintain impartiality since his piece was one of the “selected” ones? Is that his definition of fair?

Last year was the first time in Arts Night history they decided to jury donations. This year wasn’t the first time I made a little noise about the process. I told them last year that I thought it was unfair to jury donations they solicit. Schiller is correct, donations are voluntary, but the Washington Pavilion solicits those donations through the mail. It would be like signing up to volunteer to work at the Banquet, and when you show up to work your shift, you’re told to go home.

Was rejecting my donation this year a way to punish me for my dissent last year?

SculptureWalk and the Washington Pavilion receive public subsidies and use public property.  I think SculptureWalk and the Washington Pavilion should continue to receive this assistance, because as I have said before a free visual arts center in our community is very important. But with that assistance should come transparency and accountability to the public.

Schiller posing as the gatekeeper of secrecy for these organizations doesn’t help their credibility, even if he doesn’t care about his own. They should be honest about their operations and processes. That’s how organizations like the Washington Pavilion and SculptureWalk build credibility.  Honesty and integrity will never backfire on you.

SculptureWalk made the wise decision this year to release the names of jurors for the first time in their history. I think the Washington Pavilion Arts Night committee should also release the names of their jurors out of respect for the artists that were rejected and accepted. The argument that artists will retaliate against them is hogwash. That assumption is an insult.

I think Mr. Schiller has a very skewed view of publicly funded art organizations – and that’s no secret.

Scott L. Ehrisman
FOUNDER – SFAPR (Sioux Falls Artists for Public Responsibility)
806 S. 10th Avenue
SF, SD 57104
605-929-7550