Central Wyoming College received a letter earlier this month accusing the institution of art censorship.
The National Coalition Against Censorship wrote to CWC President Dr. Brad Tyndall on April 16th.
“We ask that you cease covering Caitlin Heyford’s artworks in the 2019 Spring Student Art Show on view in the college’s Robert A. Peck Arts Center,” it reads.
“It is our understanding that the photographs were singled out as inappropriate for children because they include partial nudity,” it continues. “Fabric partitions were installed in front of the work to hide them from view for approximately two weeks so that minors will not see them during events open to the local community.”
The letter highlights in bold letters, “An art institution cannot act in loco parentis to determine what may be suitable or unsuitable for audiences. A firm boundary should be established between material that is obscene, and thus constitutionally unprotected, and what somebody subjectively decides is inappropriate. Simple nudity presents constitutionally protected expression.
Photos of the letter full letter were sent to County 10:
The Central Wyoming College Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Lori Ridgway, explained to County 10 that the artwork considered for a “mature audience” typically remains open to the public in the Robert A. Peck Arts Center in a designated area. Currently, there are signs posted when entering the art center that some of the pieces may be intended for a “mature audience.”
Currently, the artwork that contains partial nudity appears grouped together against one wall in the arts center. It is not in a labeled area, or behind a partition.
Ridgway explained to County 10 that when there are community events, especially events that may include small children, the artwork is relocated to an area behind a partition that contains a “mature audience” label.
A statement was given to County 10 from Ridgway on behalf of Central Wyoming College earlier this week regarding the letter from the National Coalition Against Censorship. The full statement is below, in bold:
April 24, 2019
To Whom It May Concern:
The Central Wyoming College Robert A Peck Center is a tremendous asset that is utilized for art exhibits, receptions for a variety of occasions, as well as serving as the only theatre and stage in Riverton for many community events. As a point of reference, in the 2017-18 academic year, 62 events were held in the Center which were attended by more than 19,000 community members, many of which were children. CWC must work diligently to serve the interests of all stakeholders in this shared space.
There have been occasions where the Center was simultaneously serving not only as an art gallery but also as host to community/family performance events. Families and young children were visiting the facility to attend and/or perform, in some cases for their schools. Per the ACLU webpage https://www.aclu.org/other/freedom-expression-arts-and-entertainment experts agree that “…individual adults must be free to decide for themselves what to read, write, paint, draw, see and hear.”
On those occasions, art that was displayed for mature audiences was reasonably restricted (screened) but not prohibited, suppressed or removed, so those attending performances were able to make a choice for themselves, or the children they were responsible for, as to whether or not they wished to view the art for mature audiences. Many individuals have expressed their enjoyment of all of the art displayed, giving no indication of difficulty in accessing specific works of art.
If you have questions or need additional information regarding this letter, please contact me at 307-855-2103 or email me at lori@cwc.edu.
Sincerely,
Lori A Ridgway Director of Marketing and Public Relations
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*Some of the artwork in question is pictured below. Artwork does contain partial nudity and explicit (not safe for work) language.
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“Uprising” by Luna Eisenhower
Another work displayed in the section is, “Crazy Bitch” by Kedrick Bohanan