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Legislators take issue with GCCA exhibit

Dec 01, 2017 6:45 am

Daniel Zuckerman is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media some members of the Greene County Legislature are taking issue with a recent art exhibition presented by the Greene County Council on the Arts. "Centennial: She," a celebration of the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage in New York, was on view at the Council's Catskill gallery through early November. After seeing photos from the show on Instagram, Legislator Matt Luvera, Republican of Catskill said he found some of the work inappropriate and bordering on the pornographic, according to the minutes of the November 6, County Resources Committee meeting. Luvera expressed concern that children might see the images. Legislator Michael Bulich, Republican of Catskill, and chairman of the County Resources Committee, said he considered the photos to be profane and that it was inappropriate for tax dollars to be spent on exhibits that contain profane and vulgar art. Greene County Council on the Arts Executive Director Kay Stamer said the Council defends the right to free expression. “The main thing is to really respect other people’s feelings — we are always considerate and concerned.” As for the Council's relationship with the Legislature, Stamer said it has been a wonderful partnership and "we’ve worked together in so many ways." Stamer met with the Resources Committee in November, and lawmakers said she has been invited to return on December 6 to discuss the matter further. NOTE: Wave Farm receives support from the Greene County Legislature through the Council's County Initiative Program. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.