Open Forum

 View Only

  • 1.  Protest Valparaiso University's Plan to Deaccession Brauer Museum Paintings to Fund Dormitories

    Posted 03-02-2023 04:32 PM

    Good afternoon,

    I am asking for your support to protest the President and Board of Valparaiso University's decision to sell three paintings from the collection of the Brauer Museum of Art to fund the renovation of freshman dorms. The president argues that the Brauer Museum is "one small piece of [campus...and] not part of our strategic plan and our core mission of educating students." The three works are Mountain Landscape (1849) by Frederic Church, The Silver Veil and the Golden Gate (1914) by Childe Hassam, and Rust Red Hills, (1930) by Georgia O'Keeffe. The president has shrugged off the condemnatory statement issued by the Taskforce for the Protection of University Collections as coming from a "special interest group."  For more information, please visit https://www.artisacoreresource.com, where there is a petition to sign. Feel free to write your own email, if you wish,  to president@valpo.edu.

    Please also circulate the website address among your colleagues.

    Thank you for your support,
    Jonathan Canning

    Director/curator, Brauer Museum of Art



  • 2.  RE: Protest Valparaiso University's Plan to Deaccession Brauer Museum Paintings to Fund Dormitories

    Posted 03-03-2023 08:53 AM
    Dear Jonathan - I've signed your petition and wish you the best.  These instances are distressing and seem to be increasing.  I'm sure you've done your research and have found numerous case studies regarding the issue.  I hope you have looked to the student body to support protecting the works.  Vivian





  • 3.  RE: Protest Valparaiso University's Plan to Deaccession Brauer Museum Paintings to Fund Dormitories

    Posted 03-03-2023 10:38 AM

    Disgusting. I bet a decrease in admin salary could accomplish this as well. 



    ------------------------------
    Markie Striegel
    Curator of Collections and Exhibitions
    Geneva History Museum
    Geneva IL
    ------------------------------



  • 4.  RE: Protest Valparaiso University's Plan to Deaccession Brauer Museum Paintings to Fund Dormitories

    Posted 03-03-2023 01:01 PM
    Indeed!!!  Good point!



    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Protest Valparaiso University's Plan to Deaccession Brauer Museum Paintings to Fund Dormitories

    Posted 03-06-2023 03:13 PM

    Dear Jonathan,

    I have also signed the petition. As someone who also works at university museum, this sets a very troubling precedent on so many levels. One of the main issues I have with this is that one of these gems was gifted to the museum. Surely somewhere it is a breach of contract to then sell works that enter the collection in this capacity, especially for these reasons. That the other two works were acquired with funds from the same donor is equally problematic. The most disturbing, however, is that a university president is looking to its campus jewel, an art museum, as a potential piggy bank for capital projects. That is absolutely deplorable. 

    Nancy Israel

    Manager of Docents Programs,

    Meadows Museum

    Dallas, Texas



    ------------------------------
    Nancy Cohen Israel
    Docent Programs Manager
    Meadows Museum - Southern Methodist University
    Dallas TX
    ------------------------------



Related Content