INCHING THROUGH WIDE STREETS?

Bears and Others who care:

Below is a brief email exchange that I've just had with Michael Johnson, VP of Alumni Affairs at the University of Northern Colorado. He is a thoughtful guy, but is somewhat limited in his ability to Green Light a project. Of course, the former VP, Jerrold De Witt, was able to land a stuffed bear for display in the University Center, apparently, on his own.. so.. power may be fleeting. This is not to criticize Mr. Johnson. It's just to state facts as I understand them. If there is a way to move my idea forward, I am pretty sure that he will be interested in helping.

See below.. Please read from bottom to top.

Michael..

Good that there may be new traditions.. Especially, in music, which I know means a lot to you.

The politics of art is what we're discussing. What's appropriate and what's not.

I've said many times in the past that I support a replica of Totem Teddy for campus and have also declared that it seems to me that my tribute would not be an 'either/or' situation. If there are actual people on campus discussing a replica I would like to meet with them. I have made suggestions for a bronze as well as for a carved totem. It would be nice to be included in those discussions as I have been the voice in the wilderness. or so it seems.. on this idea. I have names and addresses of artists who have the ability to create the representational type of project you mention traditionally or in a modern way in bronze.

My desire to contribute to my alma mater is a strong one.
Sixty-four years ago this month I spent my first days in a classroom there. Fifty-one years ago I began my college career there. I grew up in Greeley.. I love my history there. I love my long connection with Totem Teddy.

That there have been Philistines like Jerrold DeWitt who have essentially ridiculed my efforts has only made my desire to be involved in restoring this important tradition even stronger. I should not gloat at DeWitt's demise, but it seems that his tastes and desires got him where he is today.

I have the support of folks on campus. I will fund the project with no monetary support from UNC. Though I'd love to have my installation where I first saw Totem Teddy, just to the south and west of Bru-Inn, I have other sites that I'll be happy to consider.

It's so simple. Really. Just do what Bryan Stuart did for me twenty years ago and what Ken McConnellogue did for me in 2003. Just be open and accepting of an idea that can only present opportunities in a positive way for discussion of the importance of tradition and art on the UNC campus.

Please just help me.

Michael Sheehan
CSC '63
818 244 9939



--- On Mon, 9/27/10, Johnson, Michael wrote:


From: Johnson, Michael

Date: Monday, September 27, 2010, 4:58 PM

Michael...sorry to have missed your recent email. Thanks for your well wishes of me and my recent anniversary. We are "knee deep" into Homecoming planning and very excited about a new opportunity to showcase our stellar music ensembles while honoring our alumni. If we're as fortunate to live up to its name...Spectacular...then maybe we have a fighting chance of continuing and possibly creating an entertaining annual tradition, should we be so fortunate.

I'm copying Nina Smith, Director of Development for the College of Performing and Visual Arts. She could share the recent gift acceptance policy and gifts of such art that you've attached. I'm not entirely certain what has to happen in receiving and accepting gifts such as yours at the present.

As you know, we have continued interest toward a Totem Teddy gracing our campus once again. There are several campus folk involved in the current discussion, with hopes of bringing back an exact replica to campus. Please share your latest thoughts to gaining traction on this project...as I know you've felt for some time there was little interest in regaining this to grace our campus again.

My best...Michael J-

________________________________

From: Michael
Sent: Mon 9/27/2010 5:08 PM
To: Johnson, Michael
Subject: You know what...


Michael.. tried to write to you recently and am not sure the email sent.

What do I have to do to gift UNC with my artwork?

Hope you had a good anniversary and that Homecoming is spectacular.

best wishes,
Michael Sheehan

Happy Homecoming?

Homecoming in the sixties was an event. Greeks decorated their houses and were represented in the annual Homecoming Parade. In 1959, I was a freshman and had met a group of students who were an amorphous bunch called Independent Students. They had rejected the Greek System, but gathered together to be a loose knit group. The Independents needed a float for the Homecoming Parade and I was enlisted to round up other kids to get the job done. I recall driving around the dorms: Wilson and Wiebking and the other smaller women's residences looking for recruits. At that time most students only came to Colorado State College to whip through a basic Education curriculum and get into a classroom. Zip Zap.. a neighbor of mine attended summer school and did her BA in three years!

Point being that no one stayed on campus. Virtually everyone went home to spend the weekends with family and the comfort zone of where they'd come from to Greeley. I wonder if everyone goes home these days? Fifty years hence?

Understanding that the City of Greeley and the university is probably the same politically as it was all those years ago is becoming clear. I realize that I can't force progressive thought where the safety of representational art and familiar ideas still live. I just wish that there was one voice for progress that might respond to my strong desire to donate my tribute to Totem Teddy to the college.

Years ago there was a big controversy down in Denver when a Blue Ribbon Committee made up of arts experts were engaged to help decide upon public art for a new university campus there. They reviewed entries for two years or more and finally awarded the prize of an installation to an abstract artist who had created a piece called Athena. Athena was a huge sort of yellow Mrs. Potato Head with three dimensional representations of learning bursting from her. The outcry was incredible! Finally, the Colorado Arts Council met to discuss the work. One member of this politically appointed group made a statement that I'll never forget. He just couldn't 'get' that the controversy was a big part of the art.. it was undeniable.. it was outrageous and strangely beautiful. His comment was that for the kind of money that the State of Colorado was going to pay this artist they could get some "'really good art"" like the Buffaloes at Stapleton" which.. I believe, his wife had made.. bronze bison, life size.. standing at the old airport. "Really Good Art!" indeed.

I've been told by Greeley acquaintances that if it ain't representational, then chances are that it might not be embraced by UNC or the community. Some time ago an observer on this blog said that freshmen didn't have time to 'figure out abstract art.'

So.. there's a stuffed bear in a plastic box in the UC and a huge bronze bear squatting outside. Does anyone pay attention to them? Like them? Care?

I'd sure like to make a difference in Greeley and on my old campus. I really would.

Michael