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Our school has an art show which I'm sure takes place in many of your schools. Ours was transferred from the gymnasium to the library for a variety of reasons. Since it is done at the end of the year, losing access to certain library resources isn't that big an imposition. All the book cases have display panels in front of them or are covered with cloth. The art teachers are always apologetic about "invading my space", but it gives me an opportunity to really enjoy the art work and it is also a break from the routine. My library clerk feels the same way, fortunately. Frequently there have been certain pieces of student work that have been kept from public view. Often the concern is too much nudity, graphic violence or grossness. Since the art show is open for the general public in the evening and the elementary and middle school students are brought up during school day, concern for what is appropriate is warranted. I live in an area that has voted Republican since before the Civil War and there is a large group that has conservative religious views. We can't sanitize everything, but, on the other hand, how much do we want to fan the flames of dissent. The controversy this year was over a painting done by a 10th grade student, Moriah Korba, who portrayed a mother with a sign that stated "God Hates F****" with her daughter looking from the side holding a sign that read "Turn or Burn". She was not making an anti-gay statement, but wanted to show how adults influence the attitudes and viewpoints of their children. Since "fag" is a derogatory term, the painting was kept up for judging, but the word "fag" was covered over for the public show in the evening. Moriah agreed to take the painting down for today when all the students will be coming through. This is certainly a newsworthy story and deals with an important topic, but I didn't think that it should appear on the front page of our local newspaper, the Press and Sun-Bulletin (Binghamton, NY). It got equal billing with an invasion of tent caterpillars that feed on the local trees. (I guess it was a slow news day.) Here is a link to the full story: http://pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080605/NEWS01/8060 50346/1001/NEWS <http://pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080605/NEWS01/806 050346/1001/NEWS> . The Press invites the public to make comments on their blog. I was glad to see that this student was willing to address an important social concern with her art work. Maybe next year some socially concerned student will address some other important topic such as American consumerism, environmental degradation, the war in Iraq, the military-industrial complex, sprawl, loss of agricultural land, child labor, animal rights, genetic engineering, racial prejudice, etc. It's also worth noting that a portrait done of a young man with a Confederate flag in the background wasn't viewed as cause for concern. Curious to know if such issues have surfaced in your school districts relating to displays of art. Also, if Moriah Korba were a student in your school district, how would the administration handle this particular case? Ed Nizalowski, SMS Newark Valley High School Newark Valley, NY enizalowski@nvcs.stier.org "He spoke about libraries as a place of refuge for many people including the homeless and mentally ill stating that a 'librarian must be a nurse, poet and social worker.' . . . . Libraries can be a shelter, both physically and emotionally, and that without libraries, communities may become mindless shopping malls." From the article by Terri Summey, ALA Cognotes, January 2006 concerning an address by Andrei Codrescu at the ALA's President's Program Currently reading Slam by Nick Hornby -------------------------------------------------------------------- Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law. You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book. To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL 3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation. * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/ * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://lm-net.info/ * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html * LM_NET Wiki: http://lmnet.wikispaces.com/ --------------------------------------------------------------------