Letter to the editor

 
To the Editor:
Twenty-three years ago CAHRC established a seat at the board for member organizations Rock County Fine Arts (RCFAA), Historical Society, Green Earth Players (GEP), Blue Mound Area Theater (BMAT), Blue Mound Woodcarvers, Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB).  At that time there was a need by these organizations to have a phone number contact and mailing address as well as office space. The CVB was added so that locally information about these organizations could be out there to the public. Today BMAT and Historical Society now have their own offices and have no need for that use in the Carnegie, but an office is still needed for others.
There have been remarks said that we have more space than we need.  This is how the space is used. The upstairs main rooms are gallery space, a sales gallery and our office.  The large classroom in the basement is used by the Blue Mound Woodcarvers and painting classes. There is a storage room, furnace room and the restrooms. 
Another remark in the newspaper story stated that most local artists have their own studios and a place to work. Only three local artists have their own studio and work is not done at the Carnegie. Art is displayed not just for local artists but RCFAA arranges for local, national and international exhibits. We feel strongly that this is a place open to the public and does generate tourism. This is a large part of what an art center does.
About a year ago, Jane Wildung-Lanphere arranged a meeting at the Carnegie with Luverne Street Music (LSM) because of an emergency with the space they were using for their lessons.  I invited them to use some of the Carnegie space.  After not hearing from them, I assumed something else had come along and they did not accept. It was then we decided to add Luverne Street Music to the CAHRC board, keeping in line with the need for us to support the arts. Members attended several meetings and then stopped coming. Then in July a special meeting was called by Jane Wildung-Lanphere to discuss the needs and how Luverne Street Music could use the building, both floors, and work together with the other organizations so they wouldn’t cause a schedule problem.
Then came the August meeting with Jane, who had called a special meeting on her own with several members, to make a motion to sever the CAHRC lease with the city of Luverne.  That meant LSM could then lease the building. At this meeting were some people who had not been very active in attending other board meetings, and a vote was taken and passed to sever the CAHRC lease. It was by no means a unanimous vote, and for several of us a complete surprise to some of the core members who have been taking care of the building.  When all was done, the vote said CAHRC was ending the lease and essentially being thrown out.
This action has resulted in stopping the art shows Luverne Blue Mound Quilters, school students, day care shows, semi-annual photo contest and the Christmas trees.  There is more that could be added as extras involved during some of these shows but too many to mention.
We are now faced with what to do with our permanent collection, display panels and pedestals and an office space. 
It is a shame to cut up the beautiful display area to make space for music lessons. It will not be a public building and not a tourist area to send people to see. Luverne is being recognized as an arts community. To my knowledge we have more artists per capita than any other community. How do you maintain that when you close the doors of an art center?
I wish Luverne Street Music great success, but not by closing the art center.
Jerry Deuschle
CAHRC President