Letters | Warehouse director dismissal

By: Jesse Stiles, Mick Mather

Posted: 9/18/07

I am writing to express my concern about recent developments at The Warehouse Gallery, a Syracuse University affiliated public art gallery. In the past few weeks, it was announced that the Warehouse Gallery would be canceling the upcoming retrospective of the renowned artist/social activist group The Yes Men and dismissing The Warehouse Gallery's Director Astria Suparak.

Astria is an acclaimed, visionary curator who has put together extremely impressive shows at the Warehouse Gallery. I have followed her curatorial career for years and have been continuously impressed with her visionary work, professionalism and her ability to curate cutting-edge artists from the top of their fields.

When my partner was recently offered a position as assistant professor in the Art Department at Syracuse University, Astria's presence at The Warehouse Gallery was one of the deciding factors that made us choose Syracuse over other areas where we received job offers. I am a professional artist and musician and felt that by moving my studio to Syracuse, I would be joining a cutting edge, progressive and visionary art community as exemplified by Astria and the excellent shows she has assembled at The Warehouse Gallery.

The near-simultaneous dismissal of Ms. Suparak and cancellation of The Yes Men retrospective sends a dark message to the art community in Central New York. The message is that young, visionary, progressive artists are not welcome at The Warehouse Gallery, at Syracuse University or in the Syracuse arts community as represented by the Coalition of Museums and Art Centers at Syracuse University. I find this message disturbing in the extreme.

Jesse Stiles

The recent news about Astria Suparak's removal as director of The Warehouse Gallery is particularly unsettling for all of the reasons given by so many of her colleagues within Syracuse University who have already submitted letters of support. Just as unsettling are the unanswered questions regarding the specifics of the circumstances leading to this change. A good case has been made for the fact that SU and the city of Syracuse needs a forward-thinking director - one that Astria has proven to be.

That said, it is her connection to the community that is foremost on my mind. There's been a lot of talk of the chancellor's initiative as it relates to interaction between the Hill and the city. It's been my great pleasure to have worked with Astria through the city of Syracuse Community Development program, Tomorrow's Neighborhoods Today (TNT). Astria is also a key partner with two public art projects located downtown that I've been personally involved with: The David Hayes Sculpture Project and The Totem Project.

Her professionalism, knowledge and expertise in assisting that connective bridge between town and gown is an asset that is born of a desire to make one's community better and fueled by the step-by-step process of doing good work in each arena every day. Relationship building and community networking takes time, building trust in that area takes time, turning both into an asset that serves all factions of the community takes time and skill. Astria Suparak has the skill and has taken the time necessary to "walk-the-walk." On behalf of the Greater Syracuse Arts Community, I ask you to weigh the value of this and reconsider her removal as director.

Mick Mather
Special Projects Coordinator
Cultural Resources Council