A year after controversy erupted over plans to build a veterans memorial sculpture at Union Pacific Depot, Lawrence city commissioners approved a policy Tuesday to review all future art donations to the city.
Bill Carswell, chair of the Lawrence Arts Commission, said the new policy will help city officials "avoid the kind of overheated atmosphere when one person's art is another's nonart."
The flap started in fall 1999 when the Douglas County Memorial Patriots Committee asked to donate "From the Ashes." It is a bronze sculpture that depicts a burning building, which serves as the base, from which rises a phoenix transforming into human form.
Opponents objected to putting the sculpture at the depot, arguing that it would disrupt the aesthetic design achieved in its recent renovation.
But veterans argued the depot has symbolic importance as a site for a veterans memorial. During the two World Wars, the depot served as the main departure point for Douglas County men and women who joined the armed forces.
City commissioners approved the donation in February 2000, even though the arts commission recommended against placing the sculpture at the depot.
The policy approved Tuesday gives city officials criteria for reviewing art donations and their proposed placement in Lawrence. Carswell said it will still allow the city to reject some donations, but officials will be able to explain precisely why.
"Without a policy, we've tended to give (donations) thumbs-up, thumbs-down approval," he said.
Commissioners acknowledged that, even with the new policy, art criticism still will be subjective.
"Art will no longer be controversial in Lawrence, is that correct?" Commissioner David Dunfield said, joking.
"You didn't hear me say that," Commissioner Erv Hodges responded.
Hodges, a member of the memorial committee, said the statue should be in place and ready for dedication in summer 2004.
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