Friday, October 5, 2007

Jon Rubin

To Whom it May Concern:

If you don't want a gallery director: with never-ending energy; who
has a unique and well informed vision; with a wide grasp of
contemporary art; with a large and growing following of artists,
critics, museums and curators; with the ability to make your
gallery's programming popular within the local community; who is an
advocate of artists and viewers alike; who can put your gallery on
the international map; who is an articulate and thoughtful writer;
who is an intellectual and creative peer; then you've made the right
decision in letting Astria Suparak go.

Sincerely,

Jon Rubin
Artist / Professor
Carnegie Mellon University



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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.