Two lawsuits emerge to halt Berkshire Museum deaccession plan
The Berkshire Museum's planned sale includes art work donated specifically for “the people of Berkshire County and the general public”.
MALC reported in late September on the Berkshire Museum’s deaccession plan. Recently, two lawsuits have emerged seeking immediate injunction to stop the museum’s planned sale of art work donated specifically for “the people of Berkshire County and the general public”.
(October 20, 2017)
Foley Hoag Seeks Temporary Restraining Order Against Trustees of the Berkshire Museum to Prevent Sale of Significant Artwork
Foley Hoag LLP filed a complaint and motion for a temporary restraining order in Massachusetts Superior Court on October 20, 2017 on behalf of several plaintiffs, including the three sons of renowned artist Norman Rockwell. The motion, filed against the Trustees of the Berkshire Museum and naming Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, as a necessary party, aims to halt the Museum’s plan to sell 40 significant works of art, including two paintings given to the Museum by Norman Rockwell. (Read more..)
(October 26, 2017)
Members of Berkshire Museum File Suit Seeking Injunction Against Sale of Art Collection
Sullivan & Worcester LLP has filed a lawsuit on behalf of Berkshire County residents and members of the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, seeking an immediate injunction against the museum’s planned sale of art early next month. The Berkshire Museum has consigned forty paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts for auction or sale at Sotheby’s in violation of universally accepted museum ethics—including Shuffleton’s Barbershop and Shaftsbury Blacksmith Shop by Norman Rockwell on or before November 13, 2017. The loss of these works would represent an irreparable loss for the community and Massachusetts. A hearing will be held on November 1, 2017, and the papers in support can be found here. (Read more…)
(WGBH News, October 23, 2017):
Norman Rockwell Sons Among Those Filing Lawsuit Against Berkshire Museum
The three sons of the late artist Norman Rockwell are among those asking a judge to stop the auctioning off of 40 artworks owned by Berkshire Museum including two by the famed American painter. (Read more…)
Similarly, see the Change.org petition updates, sign it (and pass along, too) if you haven’t done so:
Stop the sale of 40 works of art held in public trust for the people of the Berkshires
https://www.change.org/p/berkshire-museum-stop-the-sale-of-40-works-of-art-held-in-public-trust-by-the-berkshire-museum
Important Reminders
The 11th Annual Artists Under the Dome Event is Wednesday, November 8th at the Massachusetts State House! For more information and to register: http://www.artistsunderthedome.org/annualevent.html
AND
Please take the “By Artists For Artists” state-wide survey for Massachusetts artists of all disciplines! MALC needs your answers to help us better advocate for our community! It closes on November 1st- help spread the word!!
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