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Charlie
F L I N T O I D
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Under the leadership of Cindy Ornstein, Flint's Cultural Center, once a gem of the City, continues to fall into disrepair. Flint people sat back and ingnored the removal of the pond and fountain around the planetarium so that the FIA could build additional galleries.The pond, fountain (a gift from Ruth Mott) and planetarium have been a symbol of Flint in its promotional literature since the 1960's.
Now we learn that the monoleths that bore all the major donors names that stood like soldiers along of the pond were removed in a way that they can not be put back together. One was obviously not moved and was damaged during contruction. FIA has been reopened for over a year now yet the Cultural Center has made no attempt to date to recognize the many donors from the past that created this wonderful cultural institution.
Cindy states that the "old stone monuments have a dark, heavy appearance and do not really fit the vision of the Cultural Center as a bright vibrant place". What a slap in the face to all these donors and to those people before Cindy that worked to make the Cultural Center a Gem of our cmmunity. Does the Cultural Center take the same position toward the Sloan Museum because everything there is old and dusty? It appears so since its 20th century exhibit has not be changed since it was installed in the early 1990's.
The Flint Cultural Center won their right to destory our history in Manning Court and it is unforunate that the one house they wanted to save has been turned into a dump by them dumping things in the back yard. They are not a very good neighbor.
Flint people need to start raising their voices and ask for change in the Cultural Center. It is time for new leadership and more input from Flint people. |
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Wed Aug 01, 2007 12:08 pm |
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00SL2
F L I N T O I D
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Center to honor donors in new way
FLINT
THE FLINT JOURNAL FIRST EDITION
Monday, July 30, 2007
By James M. Miller
jmiller@flintjournal.com • 810.766.6318
FLINT - The Flint Cultural Center is looking for a new way to honor its sponsors.
For decades, the names of corporate and individual sponsors have appeared on a row of large wedge-shaped monuments between Bower Theatre and the DeWaters Art Center.
Cindy Ornstein, president and chief executive officer of the Cultural Center, said three of the monuments had to be removed when the Art Center was expanded, but the granite stones were saved so they could be replaced.
The intent was to put the three back together, but she said because of the way they were built, that would be difficult.
Another one was damaged during construction, she said, and two others are missing panels on the rear. It would be difficult to do all the restoration and repair and make the stones match, she said.
The Cultural Center staff is now looking at different ways to recognize the sponsors.
Ornstein said the old stone monuments have a dark, heavy appearance and do not really fit the vision of the Cultural Center as a bright, vibrant place.
She said they are looking at different ideas for recognizing sponsors but do not have a plan or cost estimate yet.
At least initially, the new structure probably would be placed in the same area, but it probably would be built so that it could be moved if necessary.
"We know we can't leave them as they are," she said. "These sponsors are very important to us."
She said once a concept is chosen, then a designer will be selected. The center will contact some of the sponsors whose names are listed to get their opinions.
"We would like to try to resolve this by fall if possible," she said. |
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Fri Aug 03, 2007 10:41 pm |
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