In an interview with swrnn.com, Sissi Hale, curator of the 2010 Visual Expressions exhibit at The Merc in Temecula, California explained why one painting was excluded from the exhibit along with three others at a parallel exhibit at the Temelcula Public Library. From what I gather, all the paintings had been previously approved by city management, but were summarily ordered removed just before the opening.
Regarding Jeff Hebron’s painting at the Merc:
Hale said that it was Bruce Beers, Theater Manager at Old Town Temecula Community Theater, who first told her that the painting was to be removed. He did so as she and Fallbrook artist Brandy Sebastian were readying the painting for hanging at The Merc.
“Bruce approached both of us and said that there’s an issue with [Jeff’s painting],” said Sebastian, adding that Beers indicated that the decision to remove the painting had been made by someone in city management.
In an email, Ms Hale explained that she didn’t come forward immediately about the removal of the paintings from the library in deference to the wishes of the artist.
It remains to be seen whether the Temecula city officials will continue to bury their heads in the sand (or elsewhere) hoping this will just disappear (a strategy that hasn’t been working too well for them), or come forward and own up to their error so that the city can move forward with everyone pulling in the same direction.
For anyone who has been following this story, I recommend reading the entire article.