That was the response I basically got when I called the Box Office to ask what exhibits were going on at the VAC. If you go to the web page, they have 3 exhibits listed, two expired on October 6. If you click on upcoming exhibits they have two listed for January and February.
When I told the box office representative that nothing was listed on the website, she replies, “We have no information in our office either,” Then transferred me to the VAC, to which I talked to a person who told me they are setting up some big exhibit for this weekend.
Okay, no big deal we all get a little behind on things, but let’s review the big changes going on over at the Pavilion;
1) Development Director leaves without explanation
2) They add another CEO/President, so they have two now
3) The Visual Arts Center starts charging admission, because as they told us, they were going to bring in better art. We just are not going to tell the public or our box office employees what that art is. But thanks for the subsidy every year! Money well spent, just not on our website or IT services.
If there’s one thing the Pavillion has succeeded at, it’s generating a lack of interest from anyone.
scott on 10.30.13 at 7:56 am
If there’s one thing the Pavillion has succeeded at, it’s generating a lack of interest from anyone.
All the while, year after year, we continue to subsidize both the Pavilion’s capital and operating expenses with millions of tax dollars!
I’m with Scott. There’s no cohesive vision for what that facility is supposed to be, so its programming just seems to meander about. Vision is what excites communities and donors. I think Gary Wood tried and got no support, and it’s basically been a vacuum ever since.
This isn’t not a knock on Larry Toll and Scott Petersen – after all, running the Pavilion certainly isn’t the kind of gig that either one of them needs – but an arts facility like the Pavilion needs a visionary leader, not a couple of local ex-CEOs. And no disrespect to their board – I’m sure they’re a generous lot – but who on that board really has any background or expertise in running a non-profit arts facility? Some of them might be surprised to know that being rich isn’t a substitute for experience or competence.
Sorry, double negative in the first line of the second paragraph. That’s what I get for trying to edit myself.
“Some of them might be surprised to know that being rich isn’t a substitute for experience or competence.”
Especially in this town.
This is the event, wonder why I haven’t seen anything in the news about it.
STUDIO 301
Studio 301 is a day of education, entertainment, inspiration, and community. The Washington Pavilion Visual Arts Center has invited 44 artists to set up a studio space in the gallery and presents them with the challenge to create a complete work of art in several hours. You are invited to come and watch the fun and engage with the artists for an experience that is one of a kind.