Bismarck, North Dakota News

" To Skeeter: How about an arts park for all these pieces? Relocate the established pieces and put all future works there, too. "

" I don't want my tax money going towards art. If you want public "art", raise your own money! "

" I think that it is disappointing that these very public locations were just handed to a certain group to put up pretty much whatever they want. I think to have more interest in the art and to make it fair, these public locations should be part of an art competition of some sort that the public could vote on. That way, multiple groups would have a fair shot at having their art displayed, the competition would bring out the best quality art available and the public would have a say in what they want displayed. To me, that would eliminate a lot of this controversy. I think it is really frustrating how the park system seems to be trying to go over the community's head with stuff all the time. Any comments? "

" kk, they are citizens, like you and I, they are trying to do an important job most people like you want no part of. While watching the Park Board meeting on the Community Access channel it was my understanding the sculpture issue was simply but on hold until a policy regarding art in, public places, is put into place. The Park Board seems to be attempting to do what is right, not what is easy. "

" The bottom line is the Park Board had a commitment with the UTTC students to complete a certain number of sculptures. We can hammer it out over and over about if the general public "likes" the sculptures, if our tax dollars should be used for them, if they should all be eagles, and so on. But we still come back to the fact that the Park Board caved to politics at it's lowest to back out on the last sculpture. They had committed to a certain number so they should have stuck with it. The art policy is fine but you don't change the rules half way through a game. "

" they are politicans~ not their money so why would they care how they spend it~ we need to start stepping up to these politicans and take back some of our control~ it is our hard earned money that is allowing them to go on spending sprees~ "

" I believe the Bismarck Park Board acted properly and I support their actions. An art policy must be in place before any further sculptures are created and put in place. Yes, art is subjective. These sculptures are not placed into museums where they can be privately viewed by those enthusiasts who deem them art and believe them to be grand and inspirational. These sculptures are placed in very public and personal places where they foist themselves on all to see. All members of the public may not find the sculptures to be pleasing to the eye, nor to contribute to the area they are placed. Public funding is used, public property is used, and thus public input is needed with the public having the last say. If the sculptures where purchased by private corporations or commissioned by these private entities, then placed on their campuses or property, there would be no problem as long as zoning laws were respected. I enthusiastically believe that is the route the artists of our area need to pursue. "

" I'm all for art, but c'mon....is another metal eagle sculpture something this city really needs (or wants?) Why can't UTTC do another animal--why an eagle over and over and over......surely the Native People put pride into other creatures, I know they do! Why not a bit of variety, and maybe Bismarck will be more accepting of the art? "