On August 18 1981 the questionnaire results were published. Gary Hansmann prepared them in a document:
     "I received 42 returns or approximately 13.10% of the Guild. This amounted to 608.5 years of dues paying to the Fine Arts Society (or San Diego Museum of Art) and the Artist Guild." The entire results were tabulated and numbers of each and every artist's opinion and comments were written down. In answer to key questions an almost unanimous majority responded that they read the newsletter, they want the Guild to sponsor additional events for artist participation, they would donate work for auction, they would be willing to attend a workshop or lecture for a fee, they were not in favor of the closing of the Sales and Rental Gallery, and the museum, its staff or volunteers in reference to their support of local art and artists were rated poor or very poor. Most of the other questions regarding museum exhibitions, its permanent collection, and the jobs done by the museum staff were generally rated as good and several artists also offered to give workshops and/or demonstrations.

     The following was recorded in the minutes of August 19, 1981:
An informal meeting took place at Gary Hansmann's house.
     "The cancellation of the baseball game at the last minute without notification to the Guild was discussed…
     The results of the questionnaire were reviewed."

     The minutes of September 15, 1981 included the following:
     "Over forty questionnaires were returned to Hansmann and an impressive number of people stated that they had donated considerable time to the Museum."
     The following are excerpts from some of them, listing how long the artist had been a member of the Guild at that time:

     Question 13: How do you feel about the closing of the Sales and Rental Gallery at the museum?
Jean Swiggett, 32 years: "I'm sorry to see it closed. I felt it offered something the Art Institute, Spanish Village & private galleries did not. I don't think it can be replaced."
Dorothy Stratton, 19½ years: "It's a pity because it has been beneficial to many members and a good showcase for the Art Guild."
Kathryn S. Brockhagen, 8 years: "That is one of the worst things that could happen to the Artists of San Diego County!"
Kay Whitcomb, 25 years: "Most unfortunate - tourists come to San Diego & they can never find local work. I think every opportunity should be available. Most of the commissions have been given to outsiders!!!
Dennis P. Batt, 4½ years: " After having sold a number of my paintings through the Sales and Rental Gallery, I'm a little disappointed at its closing."
Helen Doerr, 12 years: "I think it gives local artists very little reason to remain a member of the Guild."
Carl Provder, 7 years: "It's disgusting. We knew it was coming next will be the closing of the SDAG and the Guild show."
Anita Brynolf-Waehrer, 4 years: "I was sad to hear about it & feel it's the museum's loss."
Alan Morrow, 2 years: " A stab in the back to area artists."
Tania Kleid, 4 years: " I think it is most unfortunate for the local artists to lose that outlet and unfortunate that the public is not going to be able to see and appreciate works of San Diego Artists. It was a real service and almost an obligation of the museum. I feel they are the losers as well."
William T. Stephens, 41 years: "OK - The space could be used better."
Lenore Simon, 6 years: "A tremendous disappointment in that this feature was an important commitment on the Museum's part to giving Artists of the Community an on-going Show Case… I feel a more practical approach more sensible than totally disbanding the S & R; Gallery."
Helen Dowd, 53 years: "Too bad - We lose another outlet to expose our work to the public - The only one out there."
Kathleen McCord, 6 years: "I feel badly about that - the local artists are being shoved out once again - tourists (and they are many) should be given the opportunity to see good local art."
Pauline Eaton, 6 years: "Terrible! A Great loss!
Betty Riis, 7 years: "Sad - it is the one show case the local artist has.
     Question 18: What do you feel as art guild members could be done to benefit the Artists' Guild, the Museum and the community singularly or cooperatively?
Dorothy Stratton, 19½ years: "We need support - + more RESPECT from Museum Board of Directors - How this can be brought about is a difficult question. *The present A.G. board plus an invited threesome of knowledgeable people in the ARTS - (University professors - name artists - museum staff - others, etc. - could work on it.)"
Kay Whitcomb, 25 years: " I am astonished to realize that the affluent public does not even know about the top professional artists in San Diego exist."
Dennis P. Batt, 4½ years: "A more aggressive drive to support 'high quality' local artwork, basing decisions solely on quality and not on political biases."
William T. Stephens, 41 years: "Get away from the 'way out' stuff and back to art."
Helen Petre, 16-17 years: "Publicity, continuously, of Guild shows & members activities, brainwashing the public with the words 'San Diego Artists Guild', 'a member of the esteemed San Diego Artists Guild'. If the museum would give a space exclusively to the AG for showing Guild members works regularly & give it due publicity support… What about a committee from the Mus. Membership for working with & supporting the A.G."
Paul Lingren, 24 years: "Improve the quality of each persons work!!!"
Gerrit Greve, 3 years: "Perhaps a series of 'open letters' between the Guild members and the Museum staff."
Martha Barr Lewis, 15 years: "Artists could offer to open their studios for museum members."

     Stephania Howard added this note dated August 1, 1981:
     "In conjunction with the attached questionnaire, I would like to make the following observations.
     I would suggest a rotating exhibit (every three months), connecting the Sales Gallery with the Art Guild Corner. This would stimulate Art Guild member activity and maintain its identity in the public eye.
     The concept of an Art 'Guild' as you know has ancient roots, dating back to the Middle Ages and earlier. The original purpose, that of fostering high standards and excellence and the spirit of constructive criticism is still valid today and I think we should continue to strive toward this goal. We artists can share the same sense of pride of communal achievement as was evidenced in the Wagner opera 'Die Meistersinger' where various guilds entered into a spirited competition amongst themselves and enjoyed special occasions of festive celebration.
     I feel, to this end, there should be a stronger sense of unity and friendship among San Diego Art Guild members without elitism. Organization of small events such as group discussions, studio visits, library activities, etc. would be a step in the right direction. Each Guild member should take pride in being part of the San Diego Museum of Art and vice versa.
     In recent years, I feel the importance of Guild activity has been minimized.
     A more personal touch in social events would be desirable.
     As a 24 year member of the Guild, I take pleasure in remembering the many activities of past years. You can count on my support in trying to revive this sense of spontaneity and electricity in Guild achievement."

     On September 15, 1981 at 8:00 p.m., Duane Hansen, super realist sculptor, accepted an invitation from the Guild and gave a lecture in the SDMA's Copley Auditorium. The talk was about concepts of his work and he showed some of the techniques involved in producing his controversial and life-like sculptures. Including a preview reception, the event ran from 7:00 - 10:00. Upon Hansen's arrival on the 14th, Joe Annino hosted Duane and the Guild held a preview gathering in his home with several board members in attendance. After the lecture Hansen was honored at a dinner party at the home of Betty and Rudolph Riis.
     In September 1981 Grant Holcomb became curator at the SDMA. He also served as a liaison to the Guild.
     Paul Lingren was given the last focus show in the soon to be closed Sales and Rental Gallery.

     The October 1981 newsletter stated that Grant Holcomb attended the Guild's September Board meeting.

     The San Diego Union October 2, 1981, published this article:
     "After more than 15 years, the Art Sales and Rental Gallery of the San Diego Museum of Art closed last week. Local artists are unhappy.
     'We were told quite a while ago that they only wanted safe, salable products for the Sales and Rental Gallery,' said Martha Matthews, an artists and college art instructor. 'You might expect that from Bullock's not an art museum.'
     Gary Hansmann, president of the Artists Guild - which was one of the museum's founding groups - says, 'I personally feel there is absolutely no support for the living artists of the community the museum serves.'
     Apparently the artists don't feel that this loss is sufficiently offset by the Allied Craftsmen and Artists Guild annual shows still held at the museum.
     Artists here are still talking about museum director Steven Brezzo's interview in Community Art Newsletter in which he states, 'We thought financially it was not really justified in terms of staff time, and generally we think that the space can be better used for more significant presentations.'
     This lack of relationship between local artist and museum continues to be a problem here and elsewhere in the country."

     On October 20, 1981 the minutes recorded the following:
     "The Board voted to give Harry Sternberg carte blanche on writing the newsletter and to support him if there were any complaints. Everyone agreed that the newsletter was boring and needed a little of Harry's wisdom and humor."

     In the November 1981 newsletter, this was written by Harry Sternberg, the new editor:
"Will all those who feel powerless to influence events please signify by maintaining their usual silence."

     Recorded in the November 17, 1981 minutes:
     "The Board discussed the meaning and purpose of the Art Guild and decided to extend the discussion into an informal meeting on December 5, at two in the afternoon. Dona Leavitt offered Spectrum Gallery for this purpose."

     1981 was a very bleak year for the Guild; members began to drop out and apathy reigned following the close of the Sales & Rental Gallery. The apathy continued into 1982 with repeated requests for ideas and suggestions unanswered. The SDMA cancelled the Award Exhibitions in 1982 furthering the Guilds sorrow, leading to a massive loss of Guild membership.

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