Im envious of such a sheltered life. Comprised of artwork created from 2016 to the present, Sherrill Roland: Sugar, Water, Lemon Squeeze reflects on making something from nothing, lemonade from lemons, the best of a situation. Krider said she felt the response to Lewis was not right and approached Myers a second time. Alas, Ms. Weitzman is no longer there as a gadfly. It was just very upsetting to me.. Thanks for publication but from my experience in NYC museums are famous for being toxic. Once the building housed just two organizations, the umbrella organization that operated the building was eliminated, and the existing organizations had direct leases with the City that County support was phased out over a few years. Does BeLoved Asheville clean up after homeless people? 2 South Pack Square. Weitzman said she wanted to make clear that she was not the one confronting Myers at the party. The work environment is beyond toxic, Huff and Green wrote in a 2021 summary. If you cant discuss the efficacy of an organization and the way things are done as a member of that organizations board of directors, where exactly should one go to have that discussion? A woman Weitzman identified as Lindsay Rosson, director of finance and operations at the museum, removed Kriders wine glass from her hand and asked her to leave, according to Weitzman, Krider and Lewis. I couldnt have said it better myself. I had a very disappointing and surprising interaction with Ms. Myers many years ago, when I brought about 30 tribal childrens paintings from India, which I thought she might be interested in as they were part of an initiative to train gifted children to carry on Warli Tribal painting traditions. Time for an even closer look at this situation. Healthy and productive debates are beneficial to any organization., Saenger also wrote that the board has complete confidence in Pam., This team, led by Pam, has built an outstanding institution, Saenger wrote. Candace Reilly, one of six former employees who complained to the trustees in 2015, told Asheville Watchdog the board had a chance to do the right thing, but chose to support Myers. The Asheville Art Museum's vision is to transform lives through art. What, because I spoke up? she said. David Huff, one of five museum board members who resigned in the spring, said the trustees were doubling down by removing Weitzman. It is a cornerstone in this art-rich town that we can all be very proud of.. Monica Krider, a real estate agent, attended as a guest of Gretchen Lewis, who is also a real estate agent and a museum member. Foster is the Robert L. McNeil, Jr., Senior Curator of American Art and Director of the Center for American Art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where she has worked since 2002. Just because a person is adept at fundraising does not make them suited to be an executive director who directly manages (a fluctuating number of) employees. Employee complaints have been a source of discord on the museum board. How could they even try with the firewall built around Pam? Simply give us a . Having said that, my guess is that this situation will not end well for Meyers or the board if the current direction continues. In one email to Click, the chair of the human resources committee, and then board chair Butch Patrick, Weitzman wrote that fear of being fired has created a large morale deficit compounded by the inability to speak up., She asked for immediate action and wrote that there have been issues and concerns for a long period of time.. Karen Leibert, Idaho State University - retired. enge Executive Committee actions . Asheville Art Museum The newly renovated Asheville Art Museum at night The Asheville Art Museum is a community-based nonprofit visual art organization in Western North Carolina (WNC) and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. And yes, Im proudly woke.) . Its also about what it looks like for Asheville, all of us.. The Asheville Art Museum in Downtown Asheville is an excellent experience for any visitor and local resident. I must say I second Nancy Fergusons comment. I dont always agree with her, but I have immense respect for her and what she has accomplished for Asheville. Through his work, Roland engages visitors in dialogues around community, social contract, identity, biases, and other deeply human experiences. Its our responsibility to promote the health of the museum and its mission. Weitzman said a museum patron, Monica Krider, had wanted to share her thoughts with Pam about the Watchdog story. We share your inclination to get the whole story. After the vote to remove Weitzman, Saenger said, I would just underscore that its just not appropriate to take things into your own hands. Linda Kendall Fields is a resident of Fletcher, North Carolina and has been on the Asheville Music School Board of Directors since it became a non-profit organization in 2012. LOL. Asheville, NC 28801 Mailing Address PO Box 1717 Asheville, NC 28802-1717 Phone 828.253.3227 Art Inquiries For exhibition proposals, information about artworks, or artwork donations, click here for more information. I think they felt threatened anyway, physically, and they were verbally attacked., Saenger allowed Weitzman an opportunity to respond at the board meeting before she was banished. I will ask for your dismissal as a board member and museum volunteer.. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. I showed her where Pam was, Weitzman said. Apparently they built Pams house and thats all we need to know. Saenger then polled the trustees. Trustees who have attempted to redress the toxic culture fostered by Myers have been shut down or shut out of attempts to do so. Imperious , high handed acts rarely work well. The patron was in her face, not me., Were clear, Saenger replied. The building is beautiful. The work environment is beyond toxic, Huff and Green wrote in a 2021 summary. I showed her where Pam was, Weitzman said. A woman Weitzman identified as Lindsay Rosson, director of finance and operations at the museum, removed Kriders wine glass from her hand and asked her to leave, according to Weitzman, Krider and Lewis. Leave, I did. The selection of objects displayed illustrates how Breslers eye for collecting craft not only draws attention to nature and artists interest in it, but also accentuates her role as a natural collector with an intuitive ability to identify themes and ideas that speak to one another. An account was already registered with this email. In fact, she is no longer there as a volunteer. We engage, enlighten and inspire individuals, and enrich community through American art of the 20th and 21st centuries. Inappropriate behavior? Stop wagging your finger, didnt even notice I was doing it., Krider said all Weitzman did was tell me where Pam was standing and repeat something she had already apparently said that working for her is really difficult or however she worded it.. Weitzman, who until Tuesday had also been a volunteer docent leading tours of the museum, engaged in a pattern of disruptive behavior, Saenger said in the meeting. For immediate assistance or general inquiries, please call 828.253.3227. Having worked in a variety of jobs for a variety of cultural institutions, I have observed how success attributed to a single individual can have unanticipated consequences. In one email to Click, the chair of the human resources committee, and then board chair Butch Patrick, Weitzman wrote that fear of being fired has created a large morale deficit compounded by the inability to speak up., She asked for immediate action and wrote that there have been issues and concerns for a long period of time.. Saenger then polled the trustees. However, I have not taught a workshop nor class there in over a year. I dont do this lightly, said Paul Saenger, chair of the museums Board of Trustees, according to a recording of the board meeting obtained by Asheville Watchdog. 'I Look at Her as a Hero' I think well move on with our agenda now. Are you kidding me? Museum Members receive 12 months of free general admission. I tried to stand in front of Pam. An opening reception will be held 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15. I have heard rumblings about the hostile work environment at AAM for years but I had no idea how bad it was/is. Martin CJ Mongiello, MBA, MA, MCFE Chair of the Board @ foundation, museum, inn, & school. Im sorry that having a frank conversation that you didnt want to have seemed like an attack. . She said the foundation of the museum was not its collections but rather the people who make the everyday possible. I think this cancel culture has gone so totally out of control, and I think thats exactly what Michelle is dealing with, Zahler said, not recognizing the fact that all the good work that had gone on before, that there was an issue, and because of that, Pam should be canceled. After the vote to remove Weitzman, Saenger said, I would just underscore that its just not appropriate to take things into your own hands. Jazz studies while in Ithaca, NY, opened his ears to. Rep. Richard Hudson (R) introduced national reciprocity for concealed carry in the 118th Congress on Monday night. Our Museum needs us to speak for its health and future, now. Please show Pam Myers and a few of her board minions to the door. Asheville Watchdog is a nonprofit news team producing stories that matter to Asheville and Buncombe County. Asheville, NC 28801. However, our ads are for local businesses and are unobstrusive. Ms. Stackhouse, no one is arguing that Pam did a good job (in certain parts of her job). For the record, I am canceling my membership. Im sorry that having a frank conversation that you didnt want to have seemed like an attack. becoming a Museum Member, renewing your membership early, or upgrading your current membership. Asheville Art Museum. The entire Board is failing to uphold its responsibility and purpose by not taking the Museum employees and their advocates as their first priority. I liken this behavior to what the vandals are doing defacing the museum, Saenger said. The Asheville Art Museum is dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, access and inclusionnow and in the future. The KIA is a nonprofit, so the contract is public knowledge, but I am a friend of many of those who have left the museum and have been very supportive of them. We need a Museum that operates with consistent transparency and accountability. Saenger told Asheville Watchdog that as far as he knew, the museum, established in 1948, had never removed a trustee. Meyers has and is doing an incredible job I moved here same year as Meyers. These are real people whos lives she personally has harmed. Is the Asheville Art Museum a public institution meant to serve citizens or merely Ms. Myers house and the boards plaything. Celebrated my birthday at the art museum on Monday with 3 generations of family. Weitzman was part of a group who had gathered on the second floor to talk when Krider, whom Weitzman said she had just met, said shed like to speak with Pam Myers, according to Weitzman. Show your support for our community by helping us power authoritative, in-depth reporting, and keeping access free for neighbors who need it. Weitzman pressed on after Saenger became the chair, asking for more information on employee complaints, staff exit interviews, and the executive coach that had been brought in for Myers and senior leaders, emails show. Asheville Watchdog is a nonprofit news team producing stories that matter to Asheville and Buncombe County. We invite you to join us! This should be more a group effort.. Youre no longer a volunteer.. Every request was honored, Krider said. Given these extreme circumstances and the weight of whats happening inside that museum, it is clear they are continuing to choose one person over the health of the institution, Reilly said. If there are additional episodes of improper staff involvement, I will bring this to the trustees to consider your continuing on the board., On Monday, Nov. 14, the day before Tuesdays board meeting, Saenger wrote to Weitzman, In accordance with the bylaws, I am giving you notice that given the inappropriate behavior when you and your companions verbally attacked and intimidated Pam and others at the members event I will request a discussion as to your continuing to serve on the AAM board. I stopped going to the AAM years ago when a charge of $3 was required for 10-13 year old kids from Madison Co. Middle School to enter not much but too much for many of them. What I find to be the most concerning is the salary of the director at approximately $167,000 of taxpayer funds. A renovated and expanded museum opened in 2019 in a glass. Few outside the museum noticed when, this spring, five board members one-fourth of the trustees resigned. My heart goes out to Ms. Weitzman. Below is a brief time lapse video of some of the demolition and rebuilding work that occurredat 2 South Pack Square in 2018. I love when TheRump ends with that you always know more bad news is inevitably on the way. The fact that many have shared this sentiment and the board continues to take no meaningful action is ludicrous. Simply dismissing this effort as cancel culture is an shallow, elitist view. Shall I bring my dull wit writ upon signage to the entrance to the museum to start protesting? The board has stood by Myers, 65, largely crediting her with raising $30 million in a capital campaign that spanned well over a decade. After the meeting, she sent an email to the docents, writing that she had been removed as a result of standing up for museum staff for the last year, within the Board of Trustees and most recently on record with the AVLWatchdog.org article., Nancy Ferguson, a 30-year museum volunteer and former trustee, told Asheville Watchdog, I was appalled to learn of Ms. Weitzmans dismissal. Now that the construction is complete and the Museum has reopened, we invite you into our new space to experience our fresh approaches, additions to the Collection, exhibitions, and educational programs. A docent was permanently removed from the board and the docent corps for speaking up about the director. Weitzman responded that she attempted a group effort and failed. In one email to Click, the chair of the human resources committee, and then board chair Butch Patrick, Weitzman wrote that fear of being fired has created a large morale deficit compounded by the inability to speak up., She asked for immediate action and wrote that there have been issues and concerns for a long period of time.. The high attrition rate is simply bad business.. In charge of it all is a board of trustees with full authority over the museum's affairs, and one that operates out of public view, often yielding to the will of its long-time executive director, Pamela Myers. To be active partners contributing to quality of life and community. Dictatorships serve dictators and their minions. Read more about our Capital Campaign effort. That Ms. Myers said Youre in my house while standing in the museum tells you everything you need to know. 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