See the Light

COEUR d’ALENE — Someone being named to a city commission is usually done with little fanfare.

But not during Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

The appointment of Coeur d’Alene’s Abby Light to the Arts Commission came with some fireworks.

It was opposed by two women who criticized Light's art, which led a council member to say she denounced their comments and behavior, and the mayor threatening to have one of the women removed from the Library Community Room when she tried to respond.

In the end, Light was unanimously approved.

Ali Shute, executive director of the Arts and Cultural Alliance, supported the appointments of Katie Linder and Light to the arts commission.

During public comment, she said Light grew up in Coeur d’Alene and received a bachelor of fine arts degree from the University of Idaho.

Shute said Light worked for a museum in Calgary, is program coordinator for the Arts and Cultural Alliance and would offer valuable experience to the commission.

Hayden resident Lynda Putz saw it differently.

“Abby Light’s artwork is of great concern,” she said.

Putz, who also spoke against Light’s appointment at the Feb. 1 council meeting, said Coeur d’Alene prides itself on being a family place.

“The mindset and values of the Arts Commission should reflect that and the council should vote to protect it,” she said. “Miss Light’s work is anything but family-friendly.”

Putz said Light’s art reflects inappropriate content and sexual images.

“That is a value system that is not congruent with the values of North Idaho,” she said.

At one point, Putz held up a large poster with images of Light’s art.

“My question is, ‘Is this artwork really reflective of artwork that Coeur d’Alene represents?'”

As Putz held the poster up for another 20 seconds or so, Mayor Jim Hammond said, “OK. We’ve seen it. You can put it down.”

Putz continued to hold it and said she wanted to make sure the cameras could see it. She also turned it to the audience.

She said members of the public, “especially with children, are going to be very concerned about images like this.”

Putz said studies show such art has a negative effect on children and referred to Light's work as "porn comic art."

Another woman named Cathy also opposed Light’s appointment and said her art centers on sexually explicit material.

“She should not have a place on our city’s art commission to represent our family-friendly city,” she said.

Councilwoman Christie Wood had heard enough.

While people have the right to voice their opinions before the City Council, Wood said council members can also state their views.

“Tonight, I am denouncing that kind of behavior toward a private citizen who is stepping up and trying to volunteer for a position,” Wood said. “I think it’s outrageous that anybody would attack someone personally who is volunteering to serve on an arts commission.

“I’m denouncing those awful statements that took place, not just this meeting, but before,” she said as some in the crowd applauded.

Putz, from her seat, said loudly she was not criticizing Light, but her art.

Hammond cut her off.

“Mrs. Putz, you had your moment,” he said.

When Putz continued speaking, Hammond spoke forcefully.

“Stop, or I’ll ask the police to remove you,” he said.

Putz stopped.

Minutes later, the council voted 6-0 to approve Linder’s and Light’s appointments. Light’s term will expire Jan. 7, 2023, and Linder’s term will expire Sept. 18, 2024.

Neither Light nor Arts Commission Vice Chair Jennifer Drake could be reached for comment Wednesday.

On her website, Light wrote: "I love to make art that celebrates women …"

Wood said she felt it was important to respond to the comments about Light and her art.

“I couldn’t sit there and say nothing,” she said. “I would feel complicit.”

Wood said she has sat through many meetings over the years and listened to private citizens being denigrated by others. But she said "the cruelty shown to a private citizen, offering to volunteer her time to serve on a city commission is nothing I’ve seen before."

The council delayed appointing Linder and Light on Feb. 1 to give more people a chance to apply for the commission. None did.

Several people defended Light in online comments after the Feb. 1 meeting.

"Abby Light’s celebration of diversity and women of all shapes is beautiful and light hearted! Thankful our hometown has creative open minded people!"

"She is Abby. She is Light. She is an artist and an inspiration. The imagination is a beautiful wonder and to bring that dream to life is true artistry."

"Abby Light is 3rd generation Cda raised. This was the first time I’ve heard 'breaking down perceived beauty standards' as a negative."

Wood said she doesn’t know Light.

"But I do know it was awful behavior toward another person," she said.

Other appointments made by the council Tuesday: Ben Widmyer to the Parking Commission; Jon Ingalls to the Design Review Commission; Bob Hallock, Bruce Martinek, and Erika Eidson to the Urban Forestry Committee; Mike Light to the Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee, and Warren Bakes to the Parks and Recreation Commission.