Our local newspaper FINALLY printed my letter to the editor about our terrific arts scene in Sioux Falls. They edited out several things, even though this is the second time I submitted this because the first version was ‘TOO LONG’. In classic ANGUS LIAR style, they printed the letter, but didn’t post it on their website. Because they know as I do, more people read their website then the actual paper.

Here it is (The unedited version):

I was a little surprised last Thursday when I opened the front page of the
LINK and read Mr. Morast’s column. It is no secret that the wealthy, very
unimaginative, uncooperative and conservative control the artistic development
of this city. What surprised me was that the Argus would publish such a column?

I have written several letters to the Argus explaining the nepotism that
exists in our public art programs and development, and very few of them get
published. For instance:

– The Washington Pavilion’s board of director’s president tried to censor my
exhibit by stifling promotion.

– The Mayor’s Office (Munson) mysteriously lost my Visual  Arts Commission
application.

– The SculptureWalk director tried to get me fired from my job as retribution
for critical comments I made publicly about the exhibit.

– When I voiced my concerns to a city employee working closely with the
SculptureWalk committee about the way I was treated, he told me that “Artists
are whiners.”

– An ex-president of a South Dakota arts organization and self-
proclaimed ‘artist advocate’ said the public doesn’t have a say in publicly
funded art projects when that money is intertwined with private funds.

And you thought City Hall was corrupt?