the reason there's no image this week is because i wasn't allowed to finish the painting. Confused? perhaps i should start at the beginning. i have always heard that the "staff" at the Huntington can be very "fussy" about people actually making art on the premises. I’ve been teaching for...what, at least 2 and half years at Art Center and have never had a problem with Descanso Gardens, the LA Arboretum or any of the number of locations myself and the class paint at. i even called ahead last week to see if it would be ok if i brought the class to paint there. i explained we work on laptops and there's no mess. they said, "sure". we set up in the Japanese area and specifically ask the SECURITY GUARD if the locations we are at were ok. "sure", he says. about 60% into the painting another SECURITY GUARD comes by and says we have to move...while the first....who is still standing there...does nothing. i explain that we had called ahead, been given permission and actually been "ok'ed" to paint here. no dice. I’m informed that my options are to move or leave. this from an "organization" devoted to the arts? I’m at a loss friends and readers. obviously the hundreds of dollars the class brought into the establishment is outweighed by petty, inconsistent bureaucracy with no true regard for the advancement of art, merely the dogmatic enforcement of arbitrary policy. this is the first time i have ever used my blog for something other than the display of art but i was so appalled by this i had to share it. i hope anyone thinking of going there will have better luck.
