UPDATE on the UPDATE: Looks like this is not going to work after all. Check the story HERE.
UPDATE: Looks like everything is going to work out. Check the response from Charles Samuel HERE.
That’s the message being sent to Marlene Paul of Art 180 and the “What Do You Stand For?” project by the upper crust neighbors that live on Monument Avenue. According to Fan Of The Fan, the project has been ordered to be removed by this upcoming Friday. Really sad to hear about this happening to such a positive project. People in The Fan, let your city council representative Charles Samuels know how you feel by sending an email HERE. Don’t let a few privileged people squash a legally permitted showcase of child art that is not permanent and completely innocent. Really, what is Art 180 but one of the few non-profits that actually creates change in the lives of Richmond inner city kids? How can anyone hate on that? Show your support!
UPDATE on the UPDATE: Looks like this is not going to work after all. Check the story HERE.
UPDATE: Looks like everything is going to work out. Check the response from Charles Samuel HERE.
That’s the message being sent to Marlene Paul of Art 180 and the “What Do You Stand For?” project by the upper crust neighbors that live on Monument Avenue. According to Fan Of The Fan, the project has been ordered to be removed by this upcoming Friday. Really sad to hear about this happening to such a positive project. People in The Fan, let your city council representative Charles Samuels know how you feel by sending an email HERE. Don’t let a few privileged people squash a legally permitted showcase of child art that is not permanent and completely innocent. Really, what is Art 180 but one of the few non-profits that actually creates change in the lives of Richmond inner city kids? How can anyone hate on that? Show your support!
The following is from Fan OF The Fan
An email by Marlene Paul, co-founder and executive director of Art 180, says that the organization has been ordered to remove their exhibition of 8-foot-tall self-portraits by 25 sixth grade students from the median of Monument Avenue by Friday. While Art 180 has a permit to keep the display up until early May, there have been complaints about the artwork being in place during the Easter Parade.
“Despite the enormous outpouring of positive comments we’ve heard about our Monument Avenue exhibition–and the great photo on the front page of yesterday’s Times-Dispatch, we have been ordered to remove them by Friday.
This is a shock and disappointment, given that we have been working since last summer to follow protocol and seek the necessary approval, and we have a permit from the City’s Department of Public Works for them to remain on Monument until May 4.
Some of our fellow citizens feel that we should never have been granted permission to display the portraits on The Grand Avenue, and this is a case of people w/ money and influence vetoing City authority–where is the fairness in that? I spoke directly with one of these unhappy Monument residents, who had already contacted the Mayor’s office and won over Councilman Charles Samuels (who is, conveniently, up for reelection in a hotly-contested race). This one resident is apparently not alone, as there have been other complaints to City Hall. I don’t know how many, and I am struggling to understand why their voices can cause the revocation of a legally obtained permit. I am equal parts outraged, brokenhearted, exasperated, and proud that the portraits are on Monument right now, regardless of how long they stay.”
– Marlene Paul, director of Art 180
Read the full story from Fan Of The Fan HERE.
