Meet The Pendleton People

Well…this certainly is turning into an interesting state of affairs. Interesting, but also a little confusing. I am sure that many people, myself included, have their own take on the entire subject, and those takes probably vary widely. Since all that most of you have to go on is probably The Journal’s version of the latest event in this saga, I thought I that I might add my first-hand narrative of my experience at the Middletown Art Center last evening, and how it might differ with The Journal’s version.

While I will strive to be as objective as possible, please bear in mind that is the way I saw things.

First, The Journal story stated that “about 200 people attended”. I think that is entirely possible and should be easily verifiable, should anyone care to do so as there was a sign-in book near the entrance. I made no attempt to “count heads“, but while I was there I can say that between 30-40 people were “mingling” in the entry foyer (which seemed to be the “reception area”). Another four to six people were browsing in the “Exhibition Hall” at any one time during my stay where a host of works by Velma J. Morris were being displayed.

I was “greeted” (after I walked over towards him) by a well-known local figure who introduced me to Mr. Verdin as a “civic activist and rabble-rouser”. Since I doubted that he knew the true meaning of the term “rabble-rouser”, I did not take offense and considered it an attempt at a good-natured ice-breaker. Mr. Verdin excused himself immediately after shaking hands, as he seemed to see someone across the room with whom he had an urgent need to speak.

I was warmly received by Ms. Cathy Mulligan. Her husband (Larry, the former head of the water department, NOT Lawrence P. Mulligan, Jr., the Mayor) also said a few words.

Apparently, I was either too late or too early for the part where area residents were “allowed a chance to learn more about PAC”.

The few comments that I did hear about PAC-Middletown and the taxpayers’ investment???

“It’s incremental.”

“We have to work together.”

"It’s just the start…we have to start somewhere.”

If I started to bring up facts or figures, these three statements were just repeated, so I politely smiled, nodded my head, and did not press any issues.

I went back three times to the Exhibition Hall to view some of the race horse works by Ms. Morris, and actually was quite taken with her colored pencil work “Angel With a Harp”. I might even have considered a purchase had the artist been there, even though my wife warned me that we should be supporting the two artists in our own family now.

Bottom line??? (And this may not be completely objective!!)  Most of the people there seemed to be more interested in the free wine and hors d'oeuvres than in discussing art or PAC-Middletown and its economic impact on Middletown.