Comments on Leucadia Blog: Artist by Artist

And if ya know JD Babwe, you know a bright, talent...

2009-11-16T20:46:15.111-08:00

And if ya know JD Babwe, you know a bright, talented and honest man.

Not that it's the final authority in matters of de...

2009-11-16T20:19:21.317-08:00

Not that it's the final authority in matters of definition, but Wikipedia provides some practical clarifications.

Here's an example:

"Arts Administration is a profession in which a manager uses the process of planning, organizing, leading and controlling to facilitate the operation of an arts organization and fulfill its mission. An arts organization includes professional for-profit and many smaller professional and nonprofessional not-for-profit, arts related businesses. The general duties of an arts administrator include staff management, marketing, managing budgets, public relations, fundraising, program development and evaluation and board relations."

As an arts administrator, Jim Gilliam is not only an advocate who promotes art in Encinitas, he is a champion of the arts. In no uncertain terms, he avoids his own political biases to avoid not only unfairness, but he is tactful enough to avoid the appearance of unfairness.

And Mary Fleener? If you know Mary Fleener, you know a world class talent who is one of the most enjoyable people on the planet when it comes to discussing art. She knows the differences between bickering and argument (as a mutual search for understanding). Unlike some people who will try to impress you with what they know and who they know, Mary sees the whole picture as fair game for both praise and criticism. One thing's for sure, when you talk with Mary, you're not talking with a spectator. You're talking with a full-on participant. At the very least, you can bet she's not a coward hiding behind the "anonymous" tag.

100k a year for an Art Director? You have got to ...

2009-11-16T16:05:04.194-08:00

100k a year for an Art Director? You have got to be kidding when we end up with art like the Cardiff Kook. Isn't art promotion something local business groups or art groups should engage in? We don't have Food Director, or a Spiritual Awareness Director, etc.

OK, I appreciate all your concerns about overspend...

2009-11-16T11:32:28.663-08:00

OK, I appreciate all your concerns about overspending at city hall, and I agree in principle, and it certainly seems like a lot of you have put a great deal of thought into this weighty issue, but I have a question for each and every one of you who is bashing Jim.

Have any of you worked with Jim Gilliam?

Let me guess.

To above: I am glad you don't have any say in the ...

2009-11-16T11:15:57.377-08:00

To above:
I am glad you don't have any say in the city's art programs.
The art programs of our city and schools have great value.
Your life is limited by your view.

not many people attend. Hence not any value to the...

2009-11-14T17:27:20.761-08:00

not many people attend. Hence not any value to the average citizen. Only a select few. Special Interest that should not be paid by tax payers money.

I am confident that none of the regular naythsayer...

2009-11-14T12:46:23.421-08:00

I am confident that none of the regular naythsayers ever attended an art show at city hall, the library or got involved with any programs our art director has produced.

The veracity of 'art for art's sake' is more accurately expressed as 'art for our sake.' (Che Baraka)

I would rather pay for an art director rather than...

2009-11-14T09:56:01.039-08:00

I would rather pay for an art director rather than more (poor)planning staff.

Here Here.... Dear City Hall, save over $140,00...

2009-11-14T08:50:04.662-08:00

Here Here....

Dear City Hall,

save over $140,000 a year and eliminate the art director position please!!!!

Sincerely,

Your tax paying Citizens

If the free market is allowed to work, the artists...

2009-11-14T07:14:40.320-08:00

If the free market is allowed to work, the artists who prosper will be the ones who create things people want to own badly enough to spend their hard earned money to buy. We don't need a "gatekeeper" to decide what (and who) is worthy and what is not.

All hail the invisible hand!

the city had plenty of art, artist and artistic dr...

2009-11-13T19:54:19.109-08:00

the city had plenty of art, artist and artistic dreams before Jim and will have art after Jim.

Please tell me, Jim has been with our City for over 3 years at least maybe up to 5 years. In that time he has collected over $300,000.00 in salary and about $600,000 in pension benefits. So please explain to me, what has Jim done to provide equal or better value to Encinitas?

Jim offers a worthwhile service and multi leveled....

2009-11-13T16:05:16.081-08:00

Jim offers a worthwhile service and multi leveled.
I glad that the city is wise enough to have art in our community and make it a big priority.
Jim didn't create the economic process of pensions.
A city without art has no soul .
Jim, carry on, please.

Don't forget to add the $2,000,000 to cover the Ar...

2009-11-13T15:06:30.594-08:00

Don't forget to add the $2,000,000 to cover the Art Directors pensions in his retirement years.

$2,000,000 to $3,000,000 could buy many art pieces and go towards supporting artists instead of going to a paper pusher.

There is no value in the Art Directors for our Citizens or City.

I rather give the money to the artists like you Mary.

Mary, I've had two plants stolen from my front ya...

2009-11-13T13:14:25.734-08:00

Mary,

I've had two plants stolen from my front yard. One was rooted in the ground. My neighbor had his art stolen. This place is special and it is too bad that so many people want do things that will continue us down the path of LA.

Lots of people look at the art going into the library. That is great. It truly is community art. We would have that art and a great artist community without a $100,000 a year art director.

The art shows that are chosen for the Community Ro...

2009-11-13T12:09:21.016-08:00

The art shows that are chosen for the Community Room in the Encinitas Library are reviewed by a group of people,not just Jim. I myself was on the committee last year, and was floored by all the good stuff out there.

I am doing this show for the benefit of the Library and the people who come to visit it. However, one cannot deny that the art that has been shown in there, from the beginning, has been orchestrated by Jim, and it has all been quality work. And if you have ever worked with artists, I will say, in this case, he has earned every dime!!

Also, it is not some city employee telling you what they think you should see. Jim had nothing to do with the selection of artists for this show, or the organization, and promo. That was all up to me, baby!

If anyone wants to preview the art, go to my blog:

http://mfleener.wordpress.com

I know there is plenty of cool art in our neighborhoods. I used to live in Redondo Beach, and no one could have anything nice in their yard or it would get stolen, even house plants. We really live in a pretty special place.

Anon11:15 PM- Amen brother!!!

2009-11-13T10:23:39.181-08:00

Anon11:15 PM- Amen brother!!!

that is so cute. Our local cool artist Mary is tr...

2009-11-12T23:15:32.734-08:00

that is so cute.

Our local cool artist Mary is trying to create value for the overpriced and no value art "director" of Encinitas.

If you look around the neighborhood of Encinitas. You will see plenty of art and I love it. I have some in my front lawn myself.

what we don't need is some City employee telling me what art is and what he or she wants to see, while collecting $100,900.00k for their management. Dont even think about their pension. they will collect an additional 2,000,000.00 to $3,000,000 before the tax payer is relieved.

Art in Encinitas. Hell yeah!!!

Art directed and codified by the City. PHzzzzzz!