Student Leader Champions Diversity in Idaho

THE COEUR D' ALENE PRESS
By Devin L. HeilmanIDAHO - It is a crying shame when culture is introduced into our community and expunged by closed-minded residents like a virus under attack from white blood cells. I am referring to the July 7 front page story, "Art ouster sought," by Tom Hasslinger. This article first grabbed my attention because of the photo of a beautiful piece of art, the Ganesha statue created by Rick Davis. I figured it was something new The Press wanted to feature. Then I read the caption and the story and my heart broke. Kudos to Deanna Goodlander and those in the City Council who are holding their ground to keep the statue in place. These representatives of our community are clued in to the big picture here and I commend them. Please do not cave to the ignorance that is surrounding this situation. This issue means a lot to me, because I have lived here my whole life and I know, as a community, we are capable of love and respect. We just have to encourage each other to practice it. [link]

Devin L. Heilman is a Coeur d'Alene native and currently editor of the North Idaho College newspaper, The Sentinel.

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Creator of Idaho Sculpture Explains Sculpture

SPOKESMAN REVIEW
Posted by DFO
IDAHO - Artist Rick Davis left the following comment on the Dogwalk Musings blog re: why he designed the controversial Ganesha public art work that will be on display in downtown Coeur d'Alene for the next year: "The reason I originally chose to do this piece was at the suggestion of my Yoga teacher. But as the project progressed, and I did more research into Ganesha, the themes that surround him seemed to be unfolding in my life. So he became a 3 1/2 year teaching/learning moment for me.”[link]

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Idaho Man & Church Join Forces to Have Hindu Statue Removed from Street

THE CORUR D' ALENE PRESS
By Tom HasslingerIDAHO - A Coeur d'Alene man, supported by a church, is circulating a petition to get the statue of Ganesha removed from its spot at the corner of Sixth Street and Sherman Avenue in downtown Coeur d'Alene. Ronald J. Vander Griend is soliciting help from other churches besides Lake City Lighthouse Church, which has already pledged its support, in Vander Griend's attempt to remove the public art piece on grounds that it's offensive. In his interpretation, the symbol of Ganesha is too similar to the swastika, the elephant's trunk depicts a phallic symbol, and the weapons in the statue's hands represent tools used to put fear in Hindu followers to the "gods who control their lives," according to the petition. Some religious scholars said Vander Griend is misinterpreting symbolism associated with Ganesha, including the charge that its trunk is a phallic symbol. It's the second time since the June ribbon cutting that the Hindu god has caused a stir. It's one of 14 pieces dedicated to the city's inaugural ArtCurrents program, an art on loan agreement that places art pieces in public view for a year while the artists and city attempt to sell them. [link]

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Christians in Idaho Urged to Protest of Sculpture of Hindu God

THE SEATTLE TIMES
By Alison Boggs

Public sculpture of "Ganesha" by Rick Davis

 IDAHO - The Kootenai County Constitution Party is urging Christians on its website to protest the artwork, calling it an "abomination" approved by the "godless group of individuals" who manage the city's public art program. The sculpture depicts Ganesha, a four-armed being with an elephant head. Created by Spokane artist Rick Davis, the statue is one of 14 being dedicated Friday throughout downtown Coeur d'Alene as part of a new public art program. [link]

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NY Artists Allyson and Alex Grey Bring Chapel of Creativity to Idaho Festival

IDAHO MOUNTAIN EXPRESS
By Sabina Plasse

IDAHO - In 1996, visionary artists Allyson and Alex Grey, along with Wood River Valley resident Bex Wilkinson, co-founded the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors or CoSM. Wilkinson said it all started in the Greys' Brooklyn, NY loft.

"We started the journey to build an enduring sanctuary of visionary art to inspire every pilgrim's creative path as well as help them to embody the values of love and perennial wisdom," she said. "The Cosmic Salon that will be presented at the Sun Valley Wellness Festival is a byproduct of the Ethnocentric Salons that occur at CoSM in New York." Traditionally, the Ethnocentric Salons are an all-night dance party with live painting by the Greys, with art supplies for participants and DJ dance music. All the Cosmic Salon participants from the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors will come from New York to perform in Sun Valley. The Comic Salon will take place on Saturday, May 28, from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. at the Sun Valley Inn Continental Room. Bring art materials and prepare to dance. Tickets are $35 and $15 for students under 21. The event is free for Saturday and weekend pass holders. For details, visit www.sunvalleywellnees.org. [link]

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