Artists protest convention center deaccessions; ACME and staff identify storage and funding to preserve works

Summary

Four large artworks slated for deaccession at the Austin Convention Center prompted public testimony from artists and a pledge from ACME and Art in Public Places staff to find storage, funding for deinstallation and reinstallation, and options for rehoming the works. One artist reported private donor support to move a major work to a new site.

Several artists urged the Arts Commission to intervene after the Austin Convention Center announced plans that would remove and deaccession large, site-integrated artworks as the building is rebuilt.

Artist Margo Sawyer detailed damage to her monumental installation and said she has been asked to take the work down herself. Sawyer said the work would cost about $25,000 to deinstall and that repairs would total about $46,000. Sawyer told commissioners that she believes the convention center did not consult artists or Art in Public Places (AIPP) before recommending four deaccessions.

Paula Pryor spoke for the family of artist Damien Prier, whose multi-piece installation in the convention center rotunda would be costly to crate and store because many elements are mounted 40 to 60 feet high. Pryor said her son has been working with limited personal resources to…

Artists protest convention center deaccessions; ACME and staff identify storage and funding to preserve works

Summary

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