Gary
Hansmann wrote this note to Harry Sternberg for publication in the
Bulletin on May 24, 1981:
"As
the new chairman of the Artists' Guild, I feel that it is an energetic
and creative group of individuals. As a unit they are failing miserable
and will not exist for long without an effort on every members'
part to put aside their egos and individual ideals for the organization
they could be a proud member of.
The
new board needs and the guild needs ideas and your help. Please
let us know what you think and what you can do. We will be sending
a questionnaire to the guild members, would you please cooperate
by filling it out and adding any additional ideas you may have.
Also please feel free to call me at any time... Apathy could be
the death of a good thing."
In
the June 16, 1981 minutes the following was written:
"A
softball game pitting a team from the Museum staff against a team
from the Guild was tentatively scheduled for a weekend date in the
middle of July. The game is to be combined with a potluck meal…
In
an effort to clarify the Museum's position on proposed reinstatement
of the Biennial California-Hawaii Exhibition, considerable discussion
took place with Steve Brezzo. Brezzo referred several times to the
California-Hawaii Biennial as a 'joke', saying that it addressed
neither the regional aspects for which it was intended, nor showcased
quality works…. The Board felt that Brezzo's characterization
of the exhibit was unfair and inaccurate, agreeing that the Biennial
was held in high esteem by serious artists and museum professionals
outside as well as in San Diego. Board members felt that cancellation
of the Biennial would strike a serious blow to the already dismal
contemporary art scene in San Diego. Brezzo indicated that he would
be receptive to a proposal for a 'revised' California-Hawaii Biennial
and seemed to agree in principle with ideas informally presented
to him by Lugo (Mark-Elliot), as developed by the California Contemporary
Proposal Committee…
Hansmann
(Gary) developed a comprehensive questionnaire to be mailed to Guild
members soon."
The
Award Winners' Show with Wheeldon, Grondona, and Battles ran from
May 16 - June 21, 1981.
The
San Diego Evening Tribune June 26, 1981 published this article by
Jack Williams:
Outgoing:
Muzzy leaving post of SDMA president with feeling of success
"Ed
Muzzy is your quintessential epicure, a man of refinement. A man
with an appetite for the arts and continental cuisine. A man who
believes a museum should be a feast for the public.
Not
stuffy. Not stodgy. Not an exclusive playground for the economic
and social elite. But rather, a community asset accessible to the
masses.
With
that concept - and a somewhat controversial way of implementing
it - Muzzy has tried to reshape the image of the San Diego Museum
of Art as president of that institution for the last two years.
He
feels he has succeeded. He feels the end has justified the means
which may have sparked controversy.
But
during a meeting tonight of the SDMA's board of trustees, Muzzy
will turn over the museum presidency to Lois Roon in a move voted
on by the board of trustees."
The
San Diego Evening Tribune June 26, 1981 published this article by
Zenia Cleigh:
Incoming:
Roon hopes to consolidate museum gains, continue toward present
goals
"During
the last two years of change at the San Diego Museum of Art, qualities
of fortitude in the face of dissent were probably those most needed
by the president of the board of trustees.
Today,
as the museum slips into a more tranquil era, consolidating the
changes that have been made, gentle talents of organization and
the creation of interpersonal unity will probably be much appreciated.
Which
may be why the reins of the presidency are being turned over today
to Lois Roon, 57, an unruffled woman in whom harmony and order seem
to have made a happy home.
Gracious
- the word is attributed to her so often she almost has a patent
on it - and beautifully groomed, Roon epitomizes the stately beauty
of a Chinese vase or a recent Republican presidential wife….
Roon is a hard worker, a 'typical mother and wife,' by her own admission,
and no lover of extremes.
'I
am traditional,' she said in an interview yesterday…. 'But
I haven't gone through life with blinders on. I'm a great believer
in standing up and working for the values you believe in.'
Roon's
greatest strength is said to be her knowledge of the internal organization
of the museum, stemming from long hours as a volunteer and as a
trustee for the last five years….
'She
is an affirmer, She is a reaffirmer,' said trustee Nancy Blidsoe
of Roon. 'She has a positive way of thinking that is very helpful
in operating. She always has a ready ear and acts if it is within
her capability to do so. If someone has a suggestion, she follows
through.'
Trustee
Rea Axeline said she found Roon 'extremely easy to work with and
yet very strong in her opinions, so she makes a good leader.'
And
according to Elinor Oatman, former president of the board from 1974-1977,
'She's an extremely competent woman who will take her job seriously.
She's a pleasant person to talk to, she's firm, she's well prepared.
She regards other persons' points of view, but she knows her own
mind as well.'
The
museum's librarian, Nancy Andrews, feels that Roon's greatest strength
is her 'woman's touch' and her ability to recognize the contributions
of other people….
Why is she the right type of leadership for this time in the museum's
history?
'I
think communication is the biggest thing,' Roon said. 'Having served
as a volunteer on the inside of the museum and understanding the
board's responsibility, what I'm hoping to be able to do is have
good two-way communication from the museum to the membership and
the community and back.'" (Note: The author served two years
on the Board of Trustees with Mrs. Roon, albeit twenty years later,
and can attest to the veracity of the statements printed in this
article. The author also had a telling conversation with her, the
details of which appear in Chapter IX.)
In
July 1981, Lenore Simon wrote this letter to the Guild Board:
"I
am personally outraged that Morris (Moshe) Eilenberg was turned
down because his works it was alleged were 'derivative of Vasserely.'
Moshe -- in his 70's -- is a creative, precise and highly skilled
artist with an affinity for works that have as their basis geometric
forms. That they are derivative of any one's works is questionable
-- Moshe was inspired by forms & shapes & so were other
artists I can list, but need not. Certainly all of us may be compared
with others, are inspired & stimulated by others, but need not
necessarily be emulating others as much as assimilating that to
which we respond. Moshe should be invited to join the guild.
His prize winning beautifully patterned works, painstakingly created
by his own hand. (Vasserely has been known to have his works hand-printed
in Japan by others Moshe creates one-of-a-kind paintings
which he develops over months f difficult craftsmanship.) -- I think
a review of his original application should be made & that he
be asked to join the guild rather than re-apply.
I
was equally appalled to learn that Joanne Sharp a gifted designer,
colorist & printmaker was rejected from the guild. I'm reluctant
to continue my own membership knowing these 2 fine Professionally
responsible artists are not considered worthy of inclusion in an
organization wanting for membership." (Note: Moshe was accepted
into the Guild in June 1982 and Joanne Sharp also became a member
several years later.)
Lois
Roon, newly elected President of the SDMA Board of Trustees, was
present at the July 15, 1981 meeting of the Guild Board of Directors,
and a discussion took place talking about Guild and museum needs.
In
1981 the Guild and the SDMA's softball team "Old Masters"
met on July 25. It drew a total crowd of only about 20 artists.
(Note: Photos were taken of this game but were later lost.)
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