Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Turning Points

I had been hearing some rumors recently that have since been confirmed. I regret to inform everyone that David Russick, gallery director at the Herron School of Art, will no longer be at Herron after this month. He has officially resigned and has agreed to join the exhibition design department at the IMA.

David had come to Herron as I was an undergrad and even taught my capstone course. Aside from being a talented painter, professor and an insightful gallery director, he continues to be one of the most sincerely generous people I have known. I believe this will be Herron's great loss, while being the IMA's gain. The grapevine tells me that some recent changes made it so, that he would have to reapply for his own job year after year. Whether this impacted his decision or not is only speculation but I will say this, what sort of loyalty and job security would that policy instill? After more than ten years at Herron, one would expect a stronger sense of acceptance, as well as job security. How many good professors does Herron need to lose before someone notices?

I am thankful that he has found a new home here in Indianapolis and wish him and his the best of luck. I expect he will be a welcome addition to the IMA. Good Luck David.

11 Responses to “Turning Points”

Anonymous said...
July 11, 2007 at 3:12 PM

Herron's great talent is for hiring awesome people and then letting them go. New facilites will not a great art school make. Why don't they value faculty? I have no idea.


Anonymous said...
July 11, 2007 at 4:11 PM

Good post, Scott.

"Whether this impacted his decision or not is only speculation but I will say this, what sort of loyalty and job security would that policy instill?"

Making a salient point without accusation? Tough line to walk, and you stood tall on that razor's edge. Hard to do. I'm impressed with your writing.


Jeff Geesa said...
July 11, 2007 at 10:02 PM

david is the best.


Anonymous said...
July 12, 2007 at 11:26 PM

Dabid is the best what?


Anonymous said...
July 13, 2007 at 10:55 AM

David Russick was a great asset to Herron.
I am happy that he will still reside in Indianapolis.
Herron's lost & IMA's Gain.
Good Luck, David

James Wille Faust


Anonymous said...
July 17, 2007 at 3:52 PM

WHOSE NEXT ON YOUR LIST DEAN EICKMEIER ?!?

WHAT EXISTING ASSET TO HERRON WILL YOU CHASE OFF NOW??


casey said...
July 19, 2007 at 10:24 PM

What is going on at Herron? Can someone shed some light here. Seems like some bullshit is going down. I keep hearing about all the really good people leaving. Can they not afford to keep them or what?


Anonymous said...
July 24, 2007 at 6:51 PM

It is a unfortunate that the Indy art community will lose David's curatorial talent at Herron, not to mention his tremendous mentorship of students. He taught a no-BS class and gave great advice. But he will be an asset to the Museum, and with any luck, his work there will get the respect and recognition he deserves--something Herron's administration consistently fails to provide. Remember Patrick Manning? Damn.


Anonymous said...
July 25, 2007 at 9:27 AM

this is a different anonymous, call me A2

Not the same, Patrick wanted a different experience. Patrick had just gotten his position solidified two years ago.

While David's move is unfortunate for the school, be careful of lumping every person who leave Herron into this group of "letting go talent" Remember, Herron has gone out of their way to retain talent such as Greg Hull and Vance Ferrow.


Anonymous said...
July 25, 2007 at 4:37 PM

no matter the circumstances of the talent being let go, the fact remains that the Dean of Herron School of Art is not helping the students that she should be by chasing away true talent by refusing to stand by her faculty and staff.


Anonymous said...
July 25, 2007 at 11:13 PM

I don't think Herron can be credited with keeping Greg and Vance- they want to stay! I know from experience that a lot of promises are made when you're hired, then they all fade away when your initial contract is up...


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