Nancy Keefe Rhodes

Dear Chancellor Cantor, Jeff Hoone, Carole Brzozowski, and Eric Spina,

It's extremely upsetting to learn of sudden & unexpected developments at the Warehouse Gallery. I understand that the upcoming exhibition with Yes Men was abruptly cancelled and, more disturbing, that Astria Suparak may be removed as director/curator. What a travesty that would be.

What I've heard in only a couple days' time from a number of faculty is that some have integrated the Yes Men into their classes especially for the SU-wide Justice Symposium project; others say they've included this group's material in their classes for a number of years now & frankly express bafflement over what the problem could be.

I've had occasion to interact with Astria since she's been here, & I've also seen how the arts community has responded to her presence. I've interviewed her & a number of artists in her shows for both Women's Voices Radio/WAER 88.3 FM & for the City Eagle weekly. She is always prepared, thoughtful, well-informed, & has ready a raft of supporting background material about her artists as well as the larger context in which her shows are mounted. She has set a higher bar for everyone.

Furthermore, the Warehouse's group shows have done something truly transformative in making Syracuse a real cross-roads. Bringing together artists from New York/Philadelphia/DC AND Ottawa/Montreal/Toronto has created an exciting mix, both for the artists themselves & for our community to witness. The Warehouse Gallery's website is frankly more informative & sophisticated & has more resources than the website of any other SU gallery - & it's the youngest. This activity has encouraged some people not to leave town, others to move here, & some long-time local artists who are nationally known to start showing locally for the first ime. Astria's work personifies "ripple effect" - & I'm afraid her removal will too.

I talk directly with artists, other gallery folks both on campus & off, area artists, & people who go to these shows, & people love what's happening here. They love the excitement, the spill-over effect in other arts, and they love that we're a cross-roads now instead of - as many people secretly fear & have long suspected - a backwater.

Chancellor Cantor, I have watched you take courageous & unpopular stands. Time & again I have opened the morning paper & read about something SU was actually doing & said aloud, "She really means it." I trust that you can take another look at this situation. We will really be making a mistake that will set a tone for the whole arts initiative if Astria is removed & bundled away in this sudden manner.

All best,

Nancy

--
Nancy Keefe Rhodes