The Innocents First Banned, Then Invited
April 28th, 2015 - Scotia, , NY
The story is found in The Daily Gazette at this website: http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2015/mar/30/0331_painting/
The Innocents, a large oil painting of two semi clad women, was not permitted to be hung in an exhibit by the Schenectady Art Society at the Schenectady Community College. When word of the refusal reached the ears of Acting Dean Martha Asselin, she called Pieper to apologize and say that a suitable space would be available to hang the work. The official who made the unilateral decision had used an unwritten understanding from a former department head who in turn first secured the public space for the art society when his mother was their president. Thus, the policy of 'no nudes' became entrenched over the years and no one questioned either the roots or fruits of the agreement. The College is now committing to developing a uniform policy and guidance to be used for all art groups using the spaces. The opening for the show will be May 2, 2015. Light refreshments are provided by the Culinary Arts and the SAS. The public is welcome and many artists attend in order to answer questions and discuss their art with the community. The story was researched and written by Kathleen Moore, reporter for the Daily Gazette.