Arlington Hts. arts panel loses two members in dispute over display

At least two members of the Arlington Heights Arts Commission have resigned, unhappy with a ruling that prohibits commissioners from exhibiting their work in an art show where the commission was a co-sponsor.

Several other members have indicated at commission meetings they will quit the organization, said Fred DeAsis, who resigned Wednesday.

Gary Swiontek's resignation was received either late last week or Monday, said Mayor Arlene Mulder, who added she is also in the process of replacing a third member who is moving out of town.

Members of the arts commission learned recently they could not show their work at the Artists on Display exhibit at the Arlington Heights Historical Museum, Aug. 29-Nov. 22.

Artists on Display is an annual exhibit that showcases the multimedia work of Arlington Heights artists.

Ted Balcom, chairman of the arts commission, said the panel voted 4-2 at a special meeting Tuesday night to rescind its $200 contribution toward the show - specifically so commission members could exhibit there.

But Swiontek had already resigned and DeAsis didn't change his mind.

Traditionally, members of the nine-person arts commission have been allowed to participate in Artists on Display, even though the commission is a co-sponsor, said Balcom.

However, at the regular August meeting a commission member raised the specific question about whether village policy prevents commissioners from participating in this show, said Commissioner Peter Long.

The village legal department ruled commissioners should not be part of the display.

Balcom said it will be better when future arts commissioners join the panel knowing ahead of time they will be restricted from certain events.

The commission also helps select artists whose works are displayed in village hall and sponsors the chair decorating competition at Frontier Days, but commissioners clearly understood those were off limits, said Balcom.

Long, who has been on the commission for at least six years and does not intend to quit, requested Tuesday's special meeting in an attempt to work out a compromise.

At least one commissioner's work is already on the walls at the museum, and the arts commission should not be in the business of removing art from gallery walls, he said.

Mulder expressed disappointment at the resignations and said DeAsis was the originator of the very popular Frontier Days decorated chair competition.

"I sympathize with the artists' feelings about why can't they promote both the arts and their own work, but it's about transparency and openness," said Mulder.

Robin Ward, assistant village attorney, said this issue has come up before with the arts commission, and she has issued more generic opinions in the past.

"You can't use your village position for self promotion," she said.

If a commissioner participates in an event sponsored or co-sponsored by the commission there is the appearance of impropriety, said Ward.