Commentary: Public Art Needed In Rogers

City Council Might Need Art Appreciation Class If They Have To Choose...

Art -- public art -- might be coming to Rogers.

Note the "might."

The first baby steps have been taken with a proposal to establish a council to be involved in seeing public art becomes a part of the city. I totally support that. I fear I might be in the minority.

Public art tends to be controversial -- people don't want to spend money on it; a chosen piece offends someone who can't see it as art. We don't like controversy in Rogers, and the simplest way to avoid it is ignore the subject.

Organizers mention in their proposal the Planning Commission should be involved. No. Really, no.

Sure, commissioners will have to look at a plan to place art, but they should not be any more involved than that. No offense meant, but planning commissioners know about lot lines and zones and large-scale development plans. I don't really think art is their field of expertise.

An arts council is a good idea. I am on the fence as to whether it should be independent of the city or a part of it. There a long list of pros and cons to both.

The biggest issue may be financing. Those behind the plan seem to think nonprofit status would assure they could obtain grants, but I think a city commission could, too. After all, the city gets grants for trails and such. A nonprofit organization might be more attractive to donors.

Getting the City Council to part with money for art pieces will be a real challenge. It makes sense, then, to form in whatever way will raise money to purchase art.

It may be time time to consider a conservancy. An example of a conservancy is the one that supports and raises money for Grant Park in Atlanta.

A friends group -- like the ones that support our own library and museum -- is another possibility to help raise money. Friends of the Rogers Public Library provided more than $100,000 of support last year. That's pretty remarkable.

However they get over the money hurdle, public art is needed -- all over the city. Although spurred by downtowners' desire to place art in public places, this project must be seen as a citywide effort to be successful.

Someone -- a group of someones -- will have to serve as arbiter of taste when selecting art, and it might as well be an independent arts council.

I suppose, if City Council is appropriating money, they will decide what is art and what is not. Perhaps an art appreciation course is needed.

I like to see art in all form. That doesn't necessarily mean I like all art, but it all makes me think, and I think that is key to the importance of art.

I would ask one thing of whoever chooses our first public art: Please avoid anything like that sleepwalker statue on the campus of Wellesley College. It is freaky. Kind of looks like Peyton Manning in his tighty-whiteys.

Even that statue, however, made me think.

•••

You still have a chance to see a tour de force performance of "Le Miserables" at Rogers Little Theater.

This isn't the easiest musical you will ever see -- you don't exactly come out of the theater singing a happy tune and dancing a jig. If, however, you want to see an incredible example of what community theater can do, go.

I've seen a lot of RLT productions and, generally speaking, I think they do a good job. I did not think "Le Mis" was a good choice for the theater group. It's hard. It's all sung -- there might be six spoken words -- and that requires some serious voices. Northwest Arkansas has a shallower pool than major cities where a theater group might stage this version of Victor Hugo's novel.

Then consider the fact "Le Mis" was just on the big screen last year with Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway and Russell Crowe -- it might be kind of hard to follow that trio.

Nonetheless, RLT did it and kudos to the cast and director, Ed McClure. In the interest of full disclosure, Ed and I have been friends a fair number of years. I, however, have told him plenty of times when something didn't meet my standards. I bowed to him at "Le Mis" intermission last week.

Performances continue tonight, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and Feb. 27 though March 2. Call the box office at 479-631-8988 or buy tickets online at www.rogerslittletheater.org.

Commentary on 02/20/2014

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