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Connecticut Library Bars Jesus ArtworkMeriden (Conn.) Public Library Director Marcia Trotta is standing by her decision to bar three paintings depicting scenes from the life of Jesus from an approved library exhibit of a local artist’s work. As a result, Mary Morley canceled her display, which had been scheduled to begin appearing in the library gallery on December 1 after being on a waiting list for a year, and is exploring her legal options.The three images were part of an exhibit titled “Visions, Hopes, and Dreams.” Although the library was willing to display Morley’s other paintings—including a tribute to the victims of September 11, portraits of Martin Luther King Jr., and Pope John Paul II, as well as depictions of Moses receiving the Ten Commandments and the prophet Elijah—Morley declined, telling the December 3 Meriden Record-Journal, “It kind of tears the whole thing apart” without the paintings of the Nativity, Jesus carrying the cross, and the Crucifixion. Director Trotta told the December 4 Record-Journal that she barred the three paintings because “Those were the ones that portrayed a particular message,” adding that “If we physically display it, we’ve taken responsibility for the message, even if [Morley’s] name is on it.” The MPL exhibit policy reads: “The library will not accept exhibits which are judged ’inappropriate,’ or ’offensive’ to any segment of the community.” It goes on to cite the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, even though the ALA guidelines recommend that exhibit and meeting-room spaces should be “available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.” “Many municipalities are erring on the side they believe to be caution, and a lot of individual expression and free speech is taken away,” Morley’s attorney Edmund M. Diorio told the newspaper. Posted December 8, 2003. |
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