Calls for support, resignations as Arts Commission gavels to order

Coeur d’Alene Arts Commission meetings typically don’t warrant a police presence, but the past 18 days of controversy embroiling the Arts Commission have been anything but typical.

In an unusually-packed City Hall conference room Tuesday evening, the Arts Commission held its first scheduled monthly meeting since a Nov. 8 video revealed a previously-ignored piece of art prominently featuring the Soviet hammer and sickle to passersby on Riverstone Park.

“I reject this symbol of oppression and death represent[s] our community,” Brian Welch of Athol said during an always-available but seldom-utilized public comment portion of the evening agenda. “A swastika would have never been tolerated.”

The hammer and sickle was featured on a sculpture by John Zylstra called Marker #11, a 2016 commentary on coal manufacturing that illustrated four symbols to represent the four largest coal producers in the world: Russia, the Korean Peninsula, China and the United States. Marker #11, part of the ArtCurrents program that pays stipends to artists and splits profits from any sales, became part of a social media video posted by local activist Casey Whelan. Whelan used the symbol as evidence of a conspiracy to introduce socialism through desensitization. Since it was brought to light, Arts Commission members have faced criticism, ridicule and even threats against their personal safety.

“I hope you take this away and never bring it back,” Welsh told the Commission.

Mayor Steve Widmyer ordered the piece removed from its spot on Riverstone Park’s pathway Nov. 15; crews removed it the following Monday, three days later. That move has since prompted a contentious war of words — online and in person — from Arts Commission chair Jennifer Drake, who chastised Widmyer’s decision as government censorship at the Nov. 19 City Council meeting.

Drake opened the evening’s comments to a fiery response from Dr. Norman Leffler, a 21-year resident of North Idaho who served in the Air Force in Spain during the height of the Cold War.

“I’m glad to see this many people here,” Leffler said. “… I’m aware of the fact this ‘art’ [was removed]. I think it’s junk.”

Leffler held up literature Tuesday evening that detailed the sufferings of the Russian Revolution. At one point, his voice broke as he described how the Soviet symbol at a Coeur d’Alene park represented an affront to what he and his fellow servicemen fought for.

“I call on all the [Arts] commissioners and everyone involved with putting up Marker #11 to resign,” he demanded.

Whalen was in attendance for the meeting, filming the proceedings for future productions.

Leffler’s demands were not met with unanimous agreement from the audience. Amy Weinsheim gave an impassioned vote of thanks to Drake and the Arts Commission, saying they have held themselves with grace during a tumultuous time in the commission’s history.

“To see so many people in positions of leadership give in to the lone and misunderstood notions of the work of the commission — as well as the piece in question — was truly disheartening,” Weinstein said. “When we allow propagandist conspiracy theorists’ front-page coverage for a baseless platform, and then allow this platform to misinform and inflame misconceptions, and then make decisions based on these meritless platforms and ill-informed outcries of the loudest voices: This is the true danger.”

After public comments subsided and the Arts Commission took care of a few unrelated housekeeping tasks, the public body discussed ideas and suggestions that might alleviate future controversies, per Widmyer’s public request at the Nov. 19 council meeting. While no mechanism to remove an art piece was discussed, the commission did evaluate how to more thoroughly depict the artist’s intent, with Commissioner David Groth best expressing the group’s sentiment.

“I think a two- or three-sentence statement on [a future accompanying] plaque could be really powerful,” he said.

Troy Tymesen, city administrator, told the commission the city was still collecting ideas for potentially changing the selection process, which is why no vote on the matter was scheduled.

“It has been quite an energized time for the Arts Commission,” Tymesen said.