Other pertinent Dallas Art News
16 November 2001
Laura Boeckman, President
Dallas Visual Art Center
Dear Laura and DVAC Board Members:The recent changes at the Dallas Visual Art Center have prompted me to write what I'm afraid, is a letter of strong protest and concern.
The last straw was the firing of Barbara West. The first was our introduction to the new DVAC director when she had the colorful shared walls of the building painted over without consulting the other tenants, and by pulling up a large and quite beautiful floor mosaic by internationally- known mosaicist and member, Sonia King, who volunteered her time with donated 3M materials--also without her knowledge or consent. In this process, an exhibit of artwork by members who had volunteered in excess of 40 hours per year, was also removed and the practice discontinued.
My fellow DVAC friends and members were very angry, but decided not to rush to judgment about Ms. Davidow's intentions. I might add, this was due mostly to Barbara West's call for patience and optimism. Then, the basic membership fee was increased by $15. Personally, I was more than willing to accept this significant hike in price if it meant DVAC's survival. I felt the same way when we were notified that there would now be a charge for participating in an Affinity Group, even though the groups meet independently and receive nothing from the center once they've formed.
About three and a half years ago, I left my job of 10 years with the Dallas Zoological Society, to pursue painting full-time. Soon after, I joined the Dallas Visual Art Center. I was honored to be part of the 1999 Critics Choice exhibition. I have attended all the excellent Business of Art seminars, been part of Affinity Groups both years of its existence, Anita Horton's Art Movie Night, volunteered at member show take-ins, special events, openings, and in the office. Until a
week ago, I also had some pieces in the DVAC store.In my nearly 3-year association with the Dallas Visual Art Center, I have made many friends, real friends. I always knew that when I left the DVAC building, I'd be inspired and supported by an incredible group consciousness-others engaged in similar and familiar artistic pursuits. And at the very heart of this was Barbara West.
I can say without doubt that she was the reason I and much of the membership were involved with DVAC on more than a casual level. We have all at some point bombarded Barbara with questions about schools, shows, grants, materials, books, artists, organizations, and so on. And because she and her husband, artist David McCullough, have been in the arts for over 30 years, she always had the answers. You could and can always depend on Barbara for information and inspiration. She maintained a sense of continuity and stability during directors comings and goings and a number of staffing changes.
I don't think I ever attended an event or seminar that Barbara wasn't there, and volunteering their time, her husband and at least 2 of her sons. They painted walls, hauled trash, tended bar, installed shows, got mailings out, made food, set up chairs and tables, and generally did work no one else was there to do. These people cared about the Dallas Visual Art Center.
What sane purpose is served by her termination? It couldn't be fiscal, since many members are so angry about it that they are neither renewing their membership nor participating in any DVAC activities. A creative, thoughtful director would not be threatened by Barbara's popularity, knowledge and connections, but rather make good use of them.
There are many of us who question the new director's intentions in light of the recent slashing and burning, her lack of communication with members about her "vision," her apparent insensitivity to volunteers and staff, her absence from non-collector events. And most pointedly: does she have any interest in local artists?
I understand that Ms. Davidow is a good fund-raiser, but not all funds can be sucked out of members, most of whom are local artists. As it is, the only opportunities to exhibit at DVAC are the members show and Critics Choice. Why not show members work year-round? Local artists have and will continue to support the organization that serves local artists, the original purpose of the Dallas Visual Art Center, I believe. Events of the past few months, however, speak volumes about the intent, not only of its director, but of the DVAC Board, among which there are no artists.
I am very sad that we are losing our home. But, the Dallas Visual Art Center is losing, too.
Ann Huey