Here's how it happened...

After several delays; and after playing phone tag for 2 days with Wacara (the woman in charge of finding art for the ArtWalk each month), I hung my show at Starbucks Thursday around 3 PM. The manager, Scott Stinton, was present when I hung the pieces. Since it's such a tiny space, I was only able to fit four paintings on the wall.

This morning, I returned to Starbucks to hang my bio and grab a quick cup of coffee. As I prepared to tape the bio to the wall, Scott approached me and said "We're going to need you to take down your art." I thought he was joking.

"Why?" I asked.

I wish I could remember his exact words. But, he basically told me that they could not allow me to show the pieces that were currently hanging. And, he told me that they have some conservative customers; some of the pieces were objectionable; and he proceeded to comment on each painting.

Below, I'll show you the pieces that I intended to exhibit. And, I'll tell you what Scott had to say about them. See what you think:

1.

Title: "Friends with benefits."

Scott's comment: The title is "too suggestive." This painting is inappropriate.

2.

Title: "Very, very, very tall soy mocha."

Basically, this is just a literal play on the "Tall" size description that coffee shops use. I added the green graphic so that it wouldn't just be a plain white cup. The circle is an allusion to the green Starbucks logo.

Scott's comment: "On the one that looks like a Starbucks cup, you made our logo look like a target." That one needs to come down too.

3.

Title: "Finger Painting"

This painting is just another literal play on words. A painting of an index finger.

Scott's comment: The 'finger painting' could be mistaken for a middle finger gesture at first glance. This painting will have to come down too.

I was still in shock after he told me all of this. So, I asked him again who had decided that my paintings would have to be taken down. He told me that he had made the decision, and identified himself as the manager of the cafe.

He then told me that I could "bring some other work to hang" if I wanted to.

But, I decided I would rather not show any work at all, if I have to go back and pick out some work that Scott finds acceptable.

Do any of these paintings seem controversial to you? Offensive? Or worthy of censorship? I feel like Scott was wrong to ask me to remove my paintings.

I invited quite a lot of people to the show tomorrow night. But, now I will have to let them know that I won't be participating.

If you still plan to attend the ArtWalk, I would encourage you to visit the Starbucks and see the bare wall that I left behind. You might even want to ask Scott Stinton why he felt the need to censor my work.

Starbucks
Scott Stinton
206.782.2795

Ballard Chamber
these are the people who oversee the ArtWalk event
info@ballardchamber.com
206.784.9705