Wallis banned from Art Assoc. for opinion

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

By Matthew Irwin

Jackson Hole, Wyo. – The Art Association hosted a boundary-pushing exhibition last February that included drawings Aaron Wallis had made of his penis and that featured him in a panel discussion on art and censorship.

Today, that same nonprofit art organization banned Wallis from its studios and classes in response to his July 21 column in JH Weekly criticizing art fairs, Wallis said this morning.

“All the good reviews I gave them in the past and the free publicity doesn’t mean anything to them, he said. “[The board] wants consequences for what I said.”

Wallis is a freelance teacher and volunteer at Teton Artlab, which leases its studio on the third floor of the Center for the Arts from the Art Assoc. The two nonprofits also co-sponsor several art classes, including four listing Wallis as instructor.

The Art Assoc. removed Wallis’s classes from its schedule and Web site, today, and its executive director, Jennifer Crawford, requested that Wallis be banned from the leased space altogether, according to Artlab director Travis Walker.

Walker complied with the request to cancel Wallis’s courses – including a printmaking class scheduled to start next week – but he refused to ban him from the studio. He hopes this “punishment” is only temporary.

“I understand that they want to punish him for what he said about their biggest fundraiser, but don’t think blackballing him from the studios is right thing to do,” Walker said. “I think we need more discussion.”

Walker also stressed that he does not agree Wallis’s opinion on art fairs.“[Jennifer Crawford] and I agreed that [his opinion] is ridiculous, but that’s [his column] every week. It’s entertaining, but I can’t endorse it in any way.”

Crawford did not return a phone call for comment this morning.

In his July 21 High Art column, titled “Art’s fair in love and war,” Wallis wrote that the Miller Park art fair should be called a “craft fair” because the work, in his opinion, is merely decorative, and does not challenge social conventions.

“If you're looking for art that comments on society or attempts at originality, you won’t find it at art fairs,” Wallis wrote. “Everything is safe and appeals to median taste because selling art is really the only reason to do an art fair.”

He also wrote that on the two occasions that he held an art fair booth, he felt like a “dirty whore.”

Local artists retaliated last weekend at the Teton Village art fair with signs that read, “Aaron Wallis is a Schmuck.”

Board members and offended artists didn’t think that a letter-to-the-editor or a longer opinion featured in JH Weekly would suffice, Wallis said. They wanted “consequences” for his opinion, he said.

Art fair organizers told JH Weekly staff that they defer all comments to Crawford, saying that Wallis didn’t “merit the attention” of a formal rebuttal.

On further reflection, Wallis said that he stands by his opinion, but thinks that he could have expressed it more gently. He also wants to be clear that when he said that he felt like a dirty whore, he didn’t mean that other artists should feel the same.

“The column was a bit reactionary, but I stand by my opinion. Art should engage politics, the war and the military industry complex. The cult of celebrity, homosexuality, sex. Religion is really fertile,” Wallis said. “You’re not gonna find art that has challenging ideas at an art fair, and I’m being punished for that opinion. I probably should have mentioned that were some good artists, technically proficient artists, at the fair. I have friends like John Frechette who had work there.”

Wallis also said that he supports the Art Assoc. and its mission, which he demonstrated by volunteering at the Art Fair, working the beer tent and helping to breakdown the tents on the final day, he said.

Because Wallis has this relationship with the Art Assoc., the board feels that he should be punished for criticizing its art fair, Walker said. “Most of the equipment [in Artlab] does belong to them,” he said. “They think it’s a biting hand that feeds them kind of thing.” JHW

Photo of the Teton Village Art Fair by Shannon McCormick

PERMALINK:
Wallis banned from Art Assoc. for opinion | Planet JH News Article: General News

Reader Comments
I think it's too bad that the Art Association has had such a negative response to Aaron Wallis's article. Since Aaron has come to town, he has spent countless hours making art, helping others make art, started his own column in the newspaper, volunteered for several art events and from my own experience and for those around me he has been an inspiration as an artist. It was because of him that I started getting back into art since moving to Jackson because he offered a different perspective than what I had seen here, which I found refreshing. One of my personal criticisms of this town over the years has been that there is not enough honest critique of the arts and music, therefore not pushing the boundaries of creativity of the local and visiting artists. This community could be more of a place for innovation if it could support people who speak about what they don't like along with what they do, no matter if that person has money to donate or not. A former art student myself, one of the things that benefited me most was critique. Even if I didn't agree with the criticism it still got me thinking how I could make whatever I was doing better. Also as a yoga teacher, it's been the criticism that I have received from students and teachers that has always pushed me to do a better job. In conclusion, what I have to say in response to the Art Associations' response is this, AA don't bite the hand of Aaron Wallis. He feeds the center with his passion and dedication to art itself, and that along with his criticism is just what the center needs to start really questioning how it can serve ALL of the community better. Vanessa Sulzer
I Just left a response but forgot to say I live in Jackson and I'm not sure how many words it was because I did it from my phone. I hope it isn't too long Vanessa sulzer
Please go to A!A website. None of this is true. This is a facetious article either by Aaron or Matt? http://www.artassociation.org/education/printmaking/index.html jennifer
I guess when you run out of things to say, you just make shit up. Wallflower
Wait a minute. You mean I now have to start questioning the veracity of a straight news story in the Planet?? And a ART STORY no less? Mary, help us out here. Anonyholic II
JH Weekly coverage of this story is not finished. Artlab's director, Travis Walker, confirmed Wallis's statements, telling JH Weekly he had been told by Art Assoc. representatives that Wallis could not teach A!A co-sponsored classes and that they wanted Wallis banned from all art studios, including the Artlab space. The organization may have later changed its mind, and we will confirm any changes Thursday. MJI, editor
Thanks, Matt. I was being only half facetious here. When jennifer's post appeared, it was apparent there had to be a lot more to this story. Wallis' stuff amy be an acquired taste, but the Art Association is walking a fine line here viv-a-vis freedom of expression. Anonyholic II
I confirm Matt's sources and facts. I confirm that I received the same information from both sources as well; minutes after they received demands from the AA that AW was to be banned. MG
What is happening at the art center? Why is there a need to publish dirty laundry to the entire community? Wallis, are you really that immature you have to go cry wolf to the JH Weekly because you got called out on your bullshit? What about being a man and making a resolve internally. After 6 months of blatant flirting between Wallis and the Art Association’s new director, it became very obvious Wallis had an anterior motive. He worked so hard to get her wrapped around his … well lets not talk about that. And now, this relationship he worked so hard to establish is in CRISIS! He got Kicked to the curb. What to do? He said, she said blah blah blah …and all for us to read as it unfolds on JH Weekly. Now I just don’t have to be a fly on the wall to watch all this ridiculous backstabbing drama, I can read about it in print and online! Awesome, good work Teton Artlab/Wallis, AA/Jennifer and JH weekly for giving us something to really read about. Can’t wait for the update tomorrow. fly-on-the-wall
Also, I see nothing facetious about this article, JH Weekly takes freedom of expression dead serious, folks. Disagreeing with Aaron over his opinions is perfectly ok, but trying to silence him by the way of boycotting and intimidation is wrong. If the Art Assoc wants to get in the business of determining what constitutes meritorious critique of art, they best brace themselves. MG
I was so taken by this article and was going to contact Wallis and let him know I am in agreement to his observations, but wait I read further and gosh darn it he's just like every other man , can't think with his upper head. You got what you deserve. Keep it up I need a new soap , or should I say a new reality show. P. B.
Don't worry about Aaron. He will be fine. As he mentioned in his manifesto, "The visual arts have a proud tradition of dissent, rampant individuality and the treatment of ... wealthy and powerful patrons with the disdain that the rest of society is afraid to show them." I imagine the AA has some of those patrons. Aaron is living the dream. He's created the controversy; now all he has to do is create the art. Mark
Mission The Art Association of Jackson Hole is dedicated to encouraging a vital, creative community by creating opportunities for exposure to, education in, and enjoyment of a wide variety of art. Will
Wow, Clearly, there can be no winners in this drama. Everyone is screwed. The Art Ass is not about individuals and their hurt egos. Our full potential at the Art Ass can never be realized until someone is able to see the whole picture and provide real leadership toward the future. I was hopeful that Jennifer Crawford would have the support of everyone within the organization to make that happen. Instead this organization has put Jennifer in the middle of one bad situation after another. This is very hard for me to watch for my corner in the painting studio. Tom Woodhouse
Wow, you people (JH Weekly) don't have better things to do than trash people. Why would you pay attention to some little minded male who couldn't make a go with a girl? The director has a job to do that helps your town and you are throwing fuel on a fire that was started by a child. It's obvious that you are nothing but a "rag". Don Crawford
There are indeed some lofty points here for discussion. Broad Strokes crossing freedom of speech / expression /press, art criticism, individualism vs. greater good, kindness, tolerance, mission statements, etc... Too bad the instigator is a self proclaimed schmuck (or was it "dick"). Takes the credibility off the table. too much to lose
Aaron (and JH Weekly) don't let these schmucks posting hate mail get you down. I enjoy reading your column each week. It always make me think. It is so refreshing compared to all the small town "life is good" journalism. Keep it up, if not for spite! Bradey
I'm amazed that people actually read the articles. Double amazed that they hold the author to the words. jj

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Wallis banned from Art Assoc. for opinion

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

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