Sunday, September 23, 2007

Sherry Miller Hocking

Dear Jeff and Chancellor Cantor,

I was very disappointed to learn of the dismissal of Astria Suparak from her position at the Warehouse Gallery. I am clearly not alone.

While I have not had the pleasure of meeting her personally, Astria is held in very high regard by the media and arts communities throughout the State.

When Astria was appointed to the position at the Warehouse, we all applauded the Syracuse area for its acute understanding of the importance of supporting contemporary curatorial practices and challenging exhibitions which embody Astria’s cultural and arts practices.

I urge you to reconsider your decision not only for the good of the Syracuse area but for all of us.

Respectfully,

Sherry Miller Hocking
Assistant Director
Experimental Television Center

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BACKGROUND

Syracuse has lost one its greatest assets. Astria Suparak, Inaugural Director of The Warehouse Gallery of Syracuse University, was removed from her position as of Sept. 30th, 2007, despite widespread support from community members, students, faculty, and the international art community. This decision was made unilaterally by Jeffrey Hoone, Executive Director of the Coalition of Museum and Art Centers (CMAC).

At the time of Suparak's dismissal, Hoone also canceled her forthcoming exhibitions, including "Keep It Slick: Infiltrating Capitalism with The Yes Men," due to open in November 2007.