Senator seeks inventory of Utah's art collection
Yet, while some collections, such as the art in the Capitol itself, are inventoried, there is no uniform list of the items or value of all the state's collections.
That's something Sen. Mark Madsen, R-Lehi, wants to fix with SB33. The bill, which was approved in a preliminary 26-0 Senate vote Friday, would create a statewide inventory of Utah's public art collection.
The bill is one that Palmer DePaulis, executive director of the Department of Community and Culture, said is needed "to allow us to create an inventory of what is out there."
Pointing to some of the art in his own office recently, DePaulis noted the importance of having a uniform inventory of the state's collections.
"We don't want these to walk away," he said. There would, however, be a sense of responsibility if officeholders had to sign for their art. And then, there are some schools that may not know the value of their art or even what it is, he said. For example, DePaulis has seen lists referring to pieces such as "stained-glass things."
On the Senate floor Friday, Madsen recalled murals that had to be "cut down and sold" when the school in which they were housed was decomissioned. The murals eventually were sold for $50 at a garage sale — and ended up selling for $250,000 to an art dealer, he said. A few paintings have disappeared with judges as they retired, he added.
The bill is now on the Senate's third reading calendar for final approval before it moves to the House.
E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com
Recent comments
This is a good idea and I can't believe it hasn't been done...
Emily H | Jan. 27, 2008 at 8:36 a.m.
