Gardner council weighs how to use money from sale of Norman Rockwell painting
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| The restored Norman Rockwell illustration "Willie Gillis In Convoy" was on display at the Levi Heywood Memorial Library in Gardner in May during a show of Gardner High School's art collection. (T&G Staff File Photo/RICK CINCLAIR)By George Barnes TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF george.barnes@telegram.com |
GARDNER — A son of Norman Rockwell has given his approval to using proceeds from the city's sale of one of his father's painting for educational purposes.
In a letter to Mayor Mark P. Hawke presented by the mayor to the City Council Monday night, Thomas R. Rockwell said he believes his father, artist Norman Rockwell, would have been greatly honored that the proceeds from the sale of the painting "Willie Gillis in Convoy" would be used for educational purposes. He also said a copy of the painting the city schools would receive would continue to further inspire and educate a new generation of artists.
"It is my sincere belief that Gardner's use of the funds to provide art and other scholarships, teacher programs and support of other educational programs in Gardner public schools is consistent with the original intent of my father's gift," he said.
The painting was given by Mr. Rockwell to Gardner High School Principal Earl Williams in the 1950s as part of an art collection for Gardner High School. It was sold at auction in May for $1.9 million after the School Department, unable to safely keep it on display, declared it surplus.
At a meeting in August, the council voted informally to support a special legislative act creating a trust fund for the money, but insisted the money be used for art purposes only. The councilor expressed concern that the money might be used for athletic programs and needs or for other non-art-related programs, which they said was not appropriate.
If created, the trust would be called the Williams-Rockwell Educational Fund in honor of the artist and the principal.
Mr. Hawke disagrees with the council's view, saying in a letter to Council President James M. Walsh that the use of the money should not be restricted to art education and other art- or fine arts-related projects. He said he is vehemently opposed to the council's stance. He said the painting was declared surplus by the Gardner School Committee based on specific reasoning and purposes, none of which was restricted to the arts.
The mayor said a possible solution would be not to restrict the fund but say that the money be given with a preference to the arts. He said that would allow a focus on the arts but not prevent money from being used for general educational goals.
At its meeting Monday, the council took no action on the petition for home rule legislation to create the trust for the painting money. City Clerk Alan L. Agnelli said no meeting has been scheduled to further discuss creating the fund.
In a letter to Mayor Mark P. Hawke presented by the mayor to the City Council Monday night, Thomas R. Rockwell said he believes his father, artist Norman Rockwell, would have been greatly honored that the proceeds from the sale of the painting "Willie Gillis in Convoy" would be used for educational purposes. He also said a copy of the painting the city schools would receive would continue to further inspire and educate a new generation of artists.
"It is my sincere belief that Gardner's use of the funds to provide art and other scholarships, teacher programs and support of other educational programs in Gardner public schools is consistent with the original intent of my father's gift," he said.
The painting was given by Mr. Rockwell to Gardner High School Principal Earl Williams in the 1950s as part of an art collection for Gardner High School. It was sold at auction in May for $1.9 million after the School Department, unable to safely keep it on display, declared it surplus.
At a meeting in August, the council voted informally to support a special legislative act creating a trust fund for the money, but insisted the money be used for art purposes only. The councilor expressed concern that the money might be used for athletic programs and needs or for other non-art-related programs, which they said was not appropriate.
If created, the trust would be called the Williams-Rockwell Educational Fund in honor of the artist and the principal.
Mr. Hawke disagrees with the council's view, saying in a letter to Council President James M. Walsh that the use of the money should not be restricted to art education and other art- or fine arts-related projects. He said he is vehemently opposed to the council's stance. He said the painting was declared surplus by the Gardner School Committee based on specific reasoning and purposes, none of which was restricted to the arts.
The mayor said a possible solution would be not to restrict the fund but say that the money be given with a preference to the arts. He said that would allow a focus on the arts but not prevent money from being used for general educational goals.
At its meeting Monday, the council took no action on the petition for home rule legislation to create the trust for the painting money. City Clerk Alan L. Agnelli said no meeting has been scheduled to further discuss creating the fund.
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