1968 - 1969
SWC ART
EVENTS
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April 18 - May 18, 1969*
Representation
*PROPOSED DATES AS SHOW WAS CANCELLED.
What was to be the first major exhibition in the new Gallery, Matheny countered the then-dominate form of non-representational art (such as he had been exhibiting for the last eight years) and instead chose to survey art which "represented an object in a recognizable manner".
Letters were sent to all the prominent Californian Galleries (including Margo Leavin future LA exhibitor of John Baldessari) and Colleges (including Chapman College Art Gallery now Directed by Harold Gregor) in search of entries. An attempt was made to revive the ASO Art Acquisition budget, with student approval of purchases, but all was for naught, as this exhibition was cancelled "due to a variety of complex reasons".
May 22 - June 8, 1969
Bummett* Student Show
*a small bummer
Insults, eggs and water balloons flew into what was to be a peaceful rock concert and strawberry ice cream social held in the new Art Gallery courtyard for the opening of this Student show. A melee with the Athletics department and their supporters erupted due, in part, to earlier misunderstandings and protests, which culminated in Southwestern athletes carrying a “HANG the ART DEPT” labelled coffin to the Art Gallery’s doorstep and setting it ablaze.
March - June 1969
Bob Matheny Resigns As Gallery Director
Due to ongoing conflicts over funding and control over the Art Gallery activities, Bob Matheny resigns as Art Gallery Director, later confirms his resignation despite faculty support, only later to un-resign, but this would prove too late for SWC College President, Chester DeVore who does not reappoint Matheny to the position. After the decision is confirmed by the Dean of Administration, it effectively ends the controversial and avante garde tenure of Robert E. Matheny as Art Gallery Director. Matheny later opines that he should perhaps create a “play for the theatre of the absurd” about the entire affair.
April 1969
The New Art Gallery Completed
The promise of a separate, dedicated Art Gallery space, free from the whims of student and administration control are finally realized as the delayed construction project is completed.
May 1 - 18, 1969
Fuddy Duddy - Faculty Exhibit
Originally not on the 1969 Spring Gallery exhibition schedule, this Faculty show quickly took the place of the cancelled "Representation" show and has the honor of the first show presented in the newly built (our current) Art Gallery. Eight faculty members displayed a wide range of works as reviewed in The Star News.