Marianne Dalton

Dear Chancellor Cantor,

I am both saddened and dismayed by the news that Warehouse Director Astria Suparak has been fired. This personally illustrates a growing trend to censor the arts in Syracuse. It is my pleasure to offer support both on a personal and professional level to this young, dynamic curator.

Astria is a thoughtful, talented curator whose dedication and passion have enabled her to achieve not only outstanding success with the exhibitions she has presented but equal success as a mentor and partner within the arts community. Over the past year I have been inspired by her intense devotion to her curatorial work, as well as her active participation in the promotion of the mission to bridge the gap between the university and the city. On a professional level I have had the pleasure of meeting with Astria to discuss possible collaborations between the Redhouse, and the Warehouse.

Suparak’s most admirable quality is that she is not afraid to push her exhibitions in a direction that challenge the viewer, drawing them in to contemplate large questions of our relationship to nature, to sexuality and to the world around us. The depth and complexity of these exhibitions does not become, as it does in so much of the work I see, a mere pastiche, and it is very disappointing that her vision has been so abruptly severed.

I extend my sincere condolences to the university and the Syracuse arts community on this loss.

Sincerely,

Marianne Dalton
Guest Curator
Redhouse/Joan Lukas Rothenberg Gallery