UConn president to hear of opposition to art gallery closing at Avery Point
Groton — Representatives of the University of Connecticut said Monday they would tell the university president, Susan Herbst, that the local community opposes the closure of the Alexey von Schlippe Gallery at the Avery Point campus.
University Provost Sally Reis and Dean of Fine Arts Anne D’Alleva met with about 25 artists, legislators and supporters of the gallery on Monday night. State Sen. Cathy Osten, D-Sprague, organized the meeting.
The gallery is slated to close at the end of July. The campus is eliminating the curator/director position of co-founder Julia Pavone, who has held the post since 1992. Closing the gallery would save about $100,000.
“I’m stuttering because I’m so angry at what you’re doing,” said Richard D. Dixon, a former Groton town councilor who fought to preserve the Branford House that houses the gallery.
“We feel like we don’t count,” said Pam Gordinier, an artist who has had work exhibited at the gallery and who has brought students there.
The Storrs campus has four museums and five theaters while Avery Point has one gallery, said David Madacsi, a professor emeritus and co-founder of the gallery.
Reis said she understands that the community values the gallery, but the university can't do everything.
Since 2010, the state has cut UConn and the UConn Health Center a combined $152.6 million, she said. The university has had to focus its resources on providng classes and graduating students.
UConn has invested $20 million in the Avery Point campus over the last several years, she said.
“We’re not turning our back on this area,” she said.
Avery Point needs additional classroom space, and some rooms in the Branford House could be used for honors classes, advanced seminars or art instruction, Reis said.
D’Alleva said the university is looking at ways to offer more art instruction. The university is considering bringing back studio art classes at Avery Point and piloting a choir program on the Hartford campus that could be expanded to regional campuses, she said.
Osten asked if the university could work with private colleges in the area to try to come up with the $100,000 needed to keep the gallery open.
“I would like the opportunity to at least explore those sorts of things before this gallery is anywhere near closing,” she said.
The group gathered on Monday — which included State Sen. Paul Formica, R-East Lyme, and state Rep. Kevin Ryan, D-Montville — agreed to reconvene on July 18 after Reis and D’Alleva speak to the university president.
The Groton City Council, Groton Town Council and New London City Council and mayor have passed resolutions supporting keeping the gallery open. More than 1,000 people have signed a petition on change.org urging the same.
Comment threads are monitored for 48 hours after publication and then closed.
