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Published: October 10, 2008 08:11 pm
Readers' Forum: Oct. 11, 2008
Take pride in our outdoor sculptures
Art Spaces, Inc.-Wabash Valley Outdoor Sculpture Collection is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to establish a collection of outdoor public sculpture in Terre Haute and the surrounding region of the Wabash Valley. Our organization works with many other businesses, individuals, arts organizations, universities and the city to build a collection that we hope everyone will be proud of.
Twice in recent months there have been incidents involving Spirit of Space, the sculpture in front of the Sheldon Swope Art Museum. This piece is by Bob Emser of Eureka, Ill., and is a part of the Swope collection. One incident resulted in damage which required that a portion of the sculpture be re-welded. Most recently someone hung a bucket on the sculpture.
These works of art are for our community, people who live and work in Terre Haute, and visitors that come to see us. They are free of charge and accessible 365 days a year. The artists that make them have provided a variety of intriguing and quality works for us, made for specific sites. People seem happy to have them here. The sculptures rely on all of us to keep them in good shape and free from harm, since they are available to everyone at all times.
Sculptures add meaning to place, and punctuate the landscape in captivating ways. We are working with the city to add to a vibrant Arts Corridor, as well as growing the collection in other locations. People in other cities are talking about Terre Haute and all that is happening in the arts here, and the sculptures are a part of that.
It seems likely that as the collection does grow it will become more a part of everyone’s lives and won’t be such a novelty. In the meantime, while it is new to us, on behalf of Art Spaces and the Swope and all of the other organizations and individuals that have worked so hard to make the Art Spaces collection possible in Terre Haute, please join us in adopting and protecting these works of art.
If you see something amiss, please report it. If you are contemplating a prank, please consider instead the many fun and interesting ways of being involved in the arts in Terre Haute. People will welcome your positive participation.
For the summer of 2009 we plan a public sculpture symposium downtown (Terre Haute Sculpture Day) and will invite everyone to come and talk with us about the sculptures and learn more about future sites and plans. While hearing from the public we will also offer an opportunity for people to talk with others in the field.
In the meantime, many thanks for the positive reception the sculptures have received so far. We appreciate caring and concern for these works of art that are designed to outlast us all, if we take good care of them.
— Mary Kramer
Director of Art Spaces
Terre Haute
Tax code in dire need of fixing
No one knows who will win the 2008 election — Democrats or Republicans. I hope whoever does win will address the problem of the tax code. It amounts to 11,000 or so pages of rules, regulations, restrictions and evasions. It employs hundreds if not thousands of accountants, lawyers and their assistants. This is an outrage.
I am not rich. I own a few stocks, bonds, certificate of deposits and the like. Last year it cost me $2,000 to get my tax forms filled out. To repeat, this is an outrage.
I shall do my best to avoid such a cost this year.
— Warren W. Bowden
Terre Haute
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