David Huff, one of five museum board members who resigned in the spring, said the trustees were doubling down by removing Weitzman. Its our responsibility to promote the health of the museum and its mission. Employee complaints have been a source of discord on the museum board. It is a cornerstone in this art-rich town that we can all be very proud of.. Myers, the museum's executive director for 27 years, declined to be interviewed by Asheville Watchdog. Linda Kendall Fields (Chair) is a resident of Fletcher, North Carolina and has been on the Asheville Music School Board of Directors since it became a non-profit organization in 2012. Krider said that she was disturbed by what she had read in the Watchdog story. But some trustees felt the board should do more, such as hire an administrator to run the day-to-day operations and free Myers to focus on fundraising and larger issues. 0 404 4 minutes read. I showed her where Pam was, Weitzman said. Too Much Is Just Right: The Legacy of Pattern and Decoration features over 70 artworks in an array of media from both the original time frame of the Pattern and Decoration movement, as well as contemporary artworks created between 1985 and the present. Asheville loves art, of course, but they also despise bullies. Given these extreme circumstances and the weight of whats happening inside that museum, it is clear they are continuing to choose one person over the health of the institution, Reilly said. Krider said that she was disturbed by what she had read in the Watchdog story. Thats absurd, Krider said. On view through March 6! Its our responsibility to promote the health of the museum and its mission. Leave, I did. This week, we caught up with Pamela L. Myers, Executive Director of the Asheville Art Museum. Got it. Im honestly glad that you had a decent time at the Museum, but please dont brush off the cruelty that many of us experienced from her. Being good at one thing (raising money) does not mean you are good at everything. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. The letters reveal snippets of daily life at the college, Johnsons experience of his growth as an artist, and early examples of Mail art, a movement that Johnson helped found. Do we only care about rectifying injustices from long ago? Subscribe to our free Asheville Watchdog news alerts. That may have been your reality, but thats not the reality of the 29 people who signed the letter. Weitzman, who until Tuesday had also been a volunteer docent leading tours of the museum, engaged in a pattern of disruptive behavior, Saenger said in the meeting. Asheville, NC 28801. Go-getter type of person who is aware how to work with established brands, arts styles, 2D and 3D artists and can smoothly lead the team of 2D and 3D to preserve the brand . North Carolina museum exhibiting 20th century American art, Come have a drink and experiment with art materials while connecting with your community! Im sorry that having a frank conversation that you didnt want to have seemed like an attack. Asheville Watchdog is a nonprofit news team producing stories that matter to Asheville and Buncombe County. He then deferred to trustee Gary Zahler, who joined the virtual meeting late. They said Asheville represents itself as a progressive and inclusive city for LGBTQ artists, but the museum caters to a particular demographic that is no longer actually inclusive or representative of folks in the broader community here. Explore two stories of frequently rotating exhibitions. It sounds like it is time for the board to put Pam in her place as successful fundraiser in chief and keep her away from the rest of the organization. Women were considered sacred, involved in the decision-making process, and thrived within communities holding a worldview based on equilibrium. Troy, New York nysmuseums.org. 990 statements can be interesting. Shall I bring my dull wit writ upon signage to the entrance to the museum to start protesting? Asheville Art Museum. Weitzman, who until Tuesday had also been a volunteer docent leading tours of the museum, engaged in a pattern of disruptive behavior, Saenger said in the meeting. Capes constructed of mylar burst with energy and rustle with subtle sound, the shining material a signifier of care, awareness, displacement, and presence. Stop wagging your finger, didnt even notice I was doing it., Krider said all Weitzman did was tell me where Pam was standing and repeat something she had already apparently said that working for her is really difficult or however she worded it.. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Weitzman said a museum patron, Monica Krider, had wanted to share her thoughts with Pam about the Watchdog story. People world-wide can now explore the Museums diverse Collection of 20th- and 21st-century American art online from the comfort of their homes. I tried to stand in front of Pam. They orchestrated it all., Weitzman had volunteered at the museum since 2016 and held a seat on the board as president of the Docents Association. The Asheville Art Museum is dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, access and inclusionnow and in the future. We've recently sent you an authentication link. Ms. Hamill sounds elitist, uncaring and out of touch. Asheville may be best known for its traditional acoustic music, but Moog showed that the swirling, space-age sounds of his synthesizer could fit quite naturally against the mysterious backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. 'I Look at Her as a Hero' The Asheville Art Museum is better than ever thanks to a $24 million-renovation and expansion. Evolution Sofia, Sofia City, Bulgaria2 weeks agoBe among the first 25 applicantsSee who Evolution has hired for this roleNo longer accepting applications. Why are so many who live here in the present so spineless? Instead, board member Benites made a motion that Michelle be removed from the board.. She said the foundation of the museum was not its collections but rather the people who make the everyday possible. Weitzman pressed on after Saenger became the chair, asking for more information on employee complaints, staff exit interviews, and the executive coach that had been brought in for Myers and senior leaders, emails show. Its not even just about the people who work there who were hurt by someones tactics and approach, Krider said. Just so completely out-of-control simply outrageous. Le'Kita Brown, Vice President. After the meeting, Weitzman told Asheville Watchdog she believed her removal was retribution for challenging the museums leadership. Artworks from the 21st century elucidate contemporary perspectives on the employment of pattern to inform visual vocabularies and investigations of diverse themes in the present day. I never heard anyone speak with such divine right, Krider said. If not, there is the sound of inevitability in this story of potentially escalating to a whole new level, with a lot more attention than the museum or board would appreciate. Pottery by Eugene Since 1986 ceramic artists Rosa and Winton Eugene have created fine and functional pottery that often addresses important topics such as race. I think well move on with our agenda now. She returned to the group, and Lewis approached Myers. David Menconi. Asheville Art Museum Project Focus Area: Approved by Board of Directors: January 2014 SECU Foundation awarded a grant to the Asheville Art Museum Association, Inc. to support the design, renovation and construction of the regional museum located in downtown Asheville. Well certainly take everything you had to say to heart, Michelle, as we always have, Saenger said. [1] Im hopeful you will stand up and see that while your efforts are to you for the good of the museum, they are proving counterproductive. Weitzman was the only current trustee who agreed to be interviewed for the Watchdoginvestigative story and was quoted saying the museum looks really pretty on the outside. As Asheville Watchdog reported, the board has twice brought in an executive coach in 2015 after the six complaints to trustees, and again in 2021 after eight other ex-staffers voiced their concerns to Huff and board member Darren Green. The Asheville Art Museum, glistening through its glass exterior in the downtown heart of Pack Square, earns acclaim for its prized collection of American and Appalachian artwork. It was not an attack.. Saenger responded, We do not believe it would be appropriate to share incident reports or security videos., Sarah Reincke, president of the Docents Association before Weitzman and a former trustee, said she believes the board was trying to find any excuse to rid themselves of a Trustee who consistently voiced valid opinions the Executive Committee refused to consider., Reincke said Weitzman was not the person who reprimanded Pam at the party, and she is not responsible for how another person expresses an opinion., The board used the actions of a third party as cause for Michelles dismissal, further proof, Reincke said, of the museums dysfunctional leadership., In a statement to Asheville Watchdog, Saenger wrote that the museum does not comment on trustees who leave the organization., If the board feels it necessary to ask a trustee to step down before the end of their normal term, it is not a matter we take lightly, but with the best interest of the museum in mind, Saenger wrote. It was just very upsetting to me., Saenger said in the meeting, If youve read Lindsays report or spoken to others, I think its clear this was grossly inappropriate behavior by a trustee And this was in the midst of an event for members in the atrium of the museum., Asheville Watchdog requested the report Saenger referenced and any videotape of the incident. Weitzman said at the meeting she was being punished for standing up against the mistreatment of employees. This should be more a group effort.. Ive kind of found myself in a situation of traveling and taking my work outside of the city to be able to make a living with it, and that is with the privilege of a university degree and a local culture that already privileges white artists., Maurer, 23, said UNCA trains students for a museum-centered career, but the museum caters to artists that are not based in Asheville and then takes that work and redirects it towards tourists., The museum was founded in 1948 by local artists. Myers, the museum's executive director for 27 years, declined to be interviewed by Asheville Watchdog. Contact - Asheville Art Museum Home > Contact Contact Use the form below for general questions, or scroll down to connect with us for more specific inquiries. Monica Krider, a real estate agent, attended as a guest of Gretchen Lewis, who is also a real estate agent and a museum member. Among the things "American Perspectives" does not include as folk art (and might) are graffiti art, hip-hop creations, tattoo art, decoys, weathervanes and Native American arts and crafts. Since 2017, while construction has been ongoing, the museum's educational programs have continued without cessation, serving over 360,000 participants last year through programs on site at . Weitzman and the group moved to the first floor, where Myers was standing with trustee Bob Benites. Yes, I also saw the similarities to that narciopath Agent Orange. You said to me you will not stand down on this. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion. Healthy and productive debates are beneficial to any organization., Saenger also wrote that the board has complete confidence in Pam., This team, led by Pam, has built an outstanding institution, Saenger wrote. I believe we are on a solid path forward, Click wrote. Not the museum itself, just the board. The Asheville Art Museum is a 501 (c)3 nonprofit organization, accredited by the American Alliance of Museums which receives support for its programs from Museum Members; other generous individuals, corporations, businesses, and foundations; the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources ( Glad to see the board has had enough of the mean girls behavior. Warning: Information you find on this page may be outdated or incorrect. It looks like you're using ad blocking technology. If this reader is interested in being even handed and balanced, where are the comments speaking to what is going on at the museum with its apparently comfortable complacent board, and an executive director who may be highly effective at raising money but who appears to not be qualified to manage people. Home / Uncategorized / asheville art museum board of directors. managing people, creating and maintaining relationships with community members and organizations, showing actual concern and motivation about addressing low visitor numbers, etc. This has nothing to do with taking constructive criticism for writing mistakes or annoyance for pitching in after events or programs. In response to Asheville Watchdogs story last month, the board stood by Myers, and at its next meeting removed an outspoken trustee, Michelle Weitzman, the only member to speak publicly about employee complaints, for what the board chair described as a pattern of disruptive behavior., The board made very clear theyre going to do absolutely nothing, Reilly said. Saenger responded in an Aug. 9 email that while it is important that trustees are informed as to staffing needs, etc., personal details are restricted by state and federal policy.. Lewis said that Myers told her, Now is not the time, but did not say when she would be available to speak. I cautioned you on direct contact with staff, Saenger wrote. They dont want to hear. Asheville Watchdog spoke separately with Weitzman, Lewis, and Krider the day after the event. The board has stood by Myers, 65, largely crediting her with raising $30 million in a capital campaign that spanned well over a decade. Right so lets get the courts involved here since the Board there at the glass palace/ fortress has shown itself incapable of anything but a bunker mentality in regard to this -gone on way too long- travesty. (828) 254-7162 DONATE ABOUT We recused ourselves of giving to the Asheville Art Museum until we have a new director.. She helps wash dishes because theres no events support staff, and the Membership/Events Manager position has turned over three times (or left vacant for many months) in the last two years alone. By not refuting anything reported, are they tacitly admitting it all happened as reported? But I feel like that has been compromised on numerous occasions by Michelle Weitzman.. Trustees who have attempted to redress the toxic culture fostered by Myers have been shut . My generals ..and my highly classified documents. You question balance in the reporting and note, One person objected to something to do with the theatre-how many did not object? I believe you miss the point or the reporters intent. Weitzman addressed the incident at the party by saying it occurred at the end of the evening with very few guests at the museum.. You may get billed for that. In addition to teaching violin and piano at AMS on a part-time basis since 2008, she has been a performing musician for over 35 years. Directions: 43 Patton Ave. Asheville, NC 28801. Every request was honored, Krider said. Asheville Watchdog now seems to be on a vendetta. It is an age old story. The Museum presents a robust schedule of engaging exhibitions featuring American art of the 20th and 21st centuries. But how does that make the museum Youre in MY house? sorry, that should have read: [this] reminds me of another highly manipulative/ vindictive psychopath Anyway, really, the powers to be in the City of Asheville/ Buncombe County now is the time for some serious damage control because I highly doubt this is going away anytime soon. Was an intern at the museum a few years back, the toxic work culture permeates all the way down. Im sorry that having a frank conversation that you didnt want to have seemed like an attack. But I feel like that has been compromised on numerous occasions by Michelle Weitzman.. Immerse yourself into world-class art, exciting history, and mind-bending science. DIGITAL EXHIBITION: Dear Lorna, Love Ray features letters written by Ray Johnson to Lorna Blaine Halper while Johnson was a student at Black Mountain College. The Asheville Art Museums vision is to transform lives through art, and we welcome all visitors without discrimination. Krider said she told Myers, Why do you think you can just stonewall people who are really struggling to understand your role and some of whats been going on here? , According to Weitzman, Benites got defensive and said, I dont think this is appropriate, and Pam said, Im hosting a party. , Weitzman said Krider was shaking her finger at Myers but stopped when Myers asked her to. Krider said she asked Myers about the Watchdog story, and Myers declined to discuss it, saying, according to Krider, Youre in my house.. Join Us This Sunday for a Traditional Game Day. In all of my life, Ive never been in a situation where there was such hostility, and I actually felt physically threatened, Benites said. 4. Lewis said that Myers told her, Now is not the time, but did not say when she would be available to speak. Saenger then polled the trustees. I showed her where Pam was, Weitzman said. Leadership Advisory Committee. Yeah, were not talking about typos or lending a hand. 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