Mindless pranks mean more than you think.

Walk along Memorial Walkway and pass the sculpture, “Woman Sitting on Bench.” You may notice the latest evidence of stupidity on our campus. Some readers will more than likely roll their eyes at these words. But the reason for this letter, is that I’m not only angered by the act, but also by our lack of response to it. This “prank” is an act of vandalism. The act shows disrespect, rudeness and ignorance; qualities of hubristic people. The pranksters probably thought it was funny. I’ll tell you why it’s not.

In order to repair the damage, all of the patina will need to be removed. Patina is a film or incrustation produced on the surface of old bronze and often esteemed as being of ornamental value. The patina of the Statue of Liberty is green. That green color is produced when a mixture of chlorides, sulphides, and carbonates applied to the surface of bronze oxidizes with air. In order to get the “Woman on Bench” back to its original form of white patina, the entire statue will need to be stripped, chemicals re-applied and cured – many hours of man power and expense will go into this process.

But it’s not just the repair forcing more work on the art handlers. It’s the lack of respect to the artist, George Segal. The “woman” was his daughter. Lehigh University raised funds to acquire this piece. The piece was chosen after the artist’s death. Our institution agreed to maintain this piece of art on our campus. This act of stupidity is akin to desecration.

Silagh White

Director, ArtsLehigh

Lehigh University's Community Parterships Advisory Group

I couldn't be more excited about working with some of my colleagues on issues that are important to all of us at the university: community partnerships.

Lehigh has a long history of community engagement. The Office of Community and Regional Affairs and the Office of University Communications and Public Affairs recently completed a report that describes current programs and partnerships between Lehigh and the local community that support the mission of community engagement. What is very exciting, is being able to work with Dale Kochard. He's all around LEHIGH! Just find him on a rainy day, walking the streets of Bethlehem in his brown Lehigh Cap; smile on his face and a jaunty step. Dale is one of the most positive forces on this planet!

All areas of the institution are represented; all colleges, student affairs, athletics, academic outreach, and the arts. Every member of this group holds community engagement in highest regard. We're conscious of actions that build on existing partnerships, or create new relationships.

Through many activities, ArtsLehigh is driven to raise awareness of the available arts and creative activities on campus that may interest local citizens. We also encourage our students, faculty and staff to take advantage of the many resources in our community for exploration, learning, and entertainment.

Keys to great partnerships, is understanding what makes it work for BOTH parties. We must attribute the relationship whether the partnership is between the institution and a corporation, foundation, private donor, or community agency. We attribute gifts by naming buildings. When our research is backed by grants from government or foundations, each grant earned is recognized. For community agencies, our service and academic expertise supports their mission. We must continue to hold ourselves accountable for equal attribution. And we do.

It's not just about what's good for Lehigh - but what's good for the community.

Call Arts Funding - GANG PREVENTION!!!

I attended an information session last night at our local middle school on "Our Children and Gangs." The information was presented by the Bethlehem Area School District and the Bethlehem 222 Anti-Gang Task Force.

One thing I heard; "We need to keep the kids engaged after school. We need to provide these kids a sense of belonging. We need to give them opportunities to develop self-confidence."

That makes sense. But what doesn't make sense - is that if these are the recommendations of anti-gang task force, why is the school district, and other government based funding decisions CUTTING THE ARTS???

How many more surveys and studies do we have to do that demonstrate this in the ARTS?

Maybe a cost analysis is needed. What is the cost difference between arts programs, and incarceration? When and how do we act on nurturing these kids, instead of expecting future crime?

I keep hearing about how we shouldn't be passing debt to our children and grand-children. What debt would it be if we burden our children with a gang problem?

Why do I care? I have kids. What I heard last night scares me to death.

I also provide and support arts programs in the schools. Lehigh University is working to provide more. One sensible solution is to set up mentoring programs with the university students who could teach dance, music, spoken word, visual arts, creative writing, etc. University students would share their passions (vocation or avocation) with local students; an excellent model of community service. This idea would still require funding to have adult/trained supervisors oversee the program; costs of supplies, artist fees if we could also partner with local arts organizations.

The ASPIRE program funded activities like this. And now that funding pool is gone.

What would really make sense - is if the federal, state, local governments, and our school boards would get funding priorities straight. Granted, I know there are challenges. But let us not all miss the forest for the trees.

Community Relations; an arts administrator’s art &; family

I saw some amazing things at the March 5th First Friday. This event was highly anticipated by the ArtsLehigh program, as it was the opening of a unique art installation in six storefronts along East Third Street.  The installation is one of a four-part series of art experiences dedicated to Women’s History month.

This blog post is not about the creation of the art – but of the installation. There is an “art” to this as well. Some administrators may find the work necessary to realize another person's artistic vision to be labor intensive. Perhaps it is challenging; or, downright TEDIOUS. I live for it! It’s almost like the role of a mid-wife. We encourage the curators and the artists. But on another level, we strive to assure community partner comfort with the experiments. This is a vital part to our institution’s evolving relationships with multiple constituents in our local community.

The local constituents referred to in this post are the merchants of central South Bethlehem. They were always open to the installation idea. But the artists had to find a balance between their work and the stores’ identity to their customers.  After the initial installation in one of the stores, the artist was only able to partially complete it. The store had a big, black shroud over the street-facing window. The store looked closed. It was a shroud of retail death. It worried us all. Hours before opening, the artist finished the installation with a beautiful cut away – which now makes the installation even more intriguing, and the merchant – very happy.
Here’s a little secret. The incomplete installation wasn’t a good signal to passers by. While the store looked closed, the merchant was patient. All the other merchants expressed concerns about it; and shared them with me directly.  It was the way they looked out for their neighbor that told me this is a real family on 3rd street.

There’s another family on west Fourth Street. See, First Friday goes up there, too. I stopped by HomeBase skate shop to check in with my friend Andy Po. He was in the middle of surprise for one of their loyal customers. When I saw the post on his website this morning – my heart grew even greater for this store and this community. I was so moved by my affection – I came back for a haircut at Eskandalo the next day.

The South Side merchant family is why I’m proud to wear my Bethlehem citizen badge. And the joy in my work is why I’m satisfied.

Gentle reader, if you want to know more about the art, I would direct you to the One Stone Collective website for the 3rd street installation. The installation runs until March 27th. And if you haven't yet voted for the Pepsi Refresh Project funding for the Bethlehem Skatepark - Please click here: bookmark it and vote every day. Our city's chance for $250,000 runs out March 31st.