This was a letter that was sent to the Washington Pavilion’s Visual Art Director on Monday. I am assuming he received it on Tuesday. I have not heard a response of any kind yet, but I will keep you posted:

 

Mr. Merhib,

I’m going to make one last attempt in requesting the names of the jurors for Arts Night.

When I first requested the names of the jurors in an email, your response was that you would not release the names due to the ‘nature’ of the event (The jurors selected are members of the community and friends of the arts. The jurors are anonymous because of the nature of this fundraising event). I guess I am unclear what the ‘nature’ of the event is and how it justifies secrecy?

There has been this assumption by your organization that there would be retaliation against the jurors. I’m not sure what that means? Since I have participated in juried exhibits in the past as an exhibitor and a juror I have always been under the impression that jurors release their names out of respect to the artists and the artists don’t retaliate out of respect for the jurors.

Some people think I have already retaliated by writing a response to Mr. Schiller. But since I don’t know if Mr. Schiller was a juror, how is that retaliation?

Also, I have never asked that the jurors names be published anywhere, either in a newspaper, on your website or in Arts Night materials. All I have asked was that the information be given to the artists who participated in the selection process.  Pretty simple really.

This isn’t personal, never has been, this is about the policies of The Washington Pavilion, the Visual Arts Center and Arts Night. I have no ill will or vendetta against anybody personally. I think the Arts Center is important to our community, that is why I gave to it for so long.

So I am politely giving you one more opportunity to release the names of the jurors to me and the rest of the Arts Night participating artists.

Policies aside, it is the right thing to do, and I’m sure you won’t make the wrong decision.

Scott L. Ehrisman