CITY OF PHILADELPHIA - Office of the Controller · Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent....
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CITY OF PHILADELPHIA ALAN BUTKOVITZ 12th Floor, Municipal Services Bldg . City ConlIolier 1401 John F. Kennedy Boulevard www.philadelphiacontroller.org Philadelphia. PA 19102 (215) 686-6680 FAX (215) 686-3832 alan .butkovitz@phila . gov August 27, 2014 Dr. William R. Hite, Jr. Superintendant School District of Philadelphia 440 N. Broad Street Philadelphia, P A 19130 Dear Dr. Hite: Since 2006, my Office has exposed the Philadelphia School District's lack of oversight of its artwork collection which has a replacement value of $8 million. Over the years, we have revealed items of artwork that were missing, pieces that were deleted from the records without adequate information, duplications in the inventory, and some that were incorrectly coded in the records as to the correct location. While there's been an overaJllack of accountability of the District's artwork, it's even more disheartening that many of these great pieces are hidden from the public, behind locked doors. This includes the more than 200 pieces with a replacement value of $3.8 million located in a storage facility. Many of these pieces, some I have included with this letter, are by Philadelphia artists who lived, studied or made a direct impression and provided inspiration to the art community in our City. Some of these artists include the following: • Walter Elmer Schofield - born in Philadelphia and initiated his formal studies in 1889 at the Pennsylvania Academy ofthe Fine Arts. • Henry Ossawa Tanner - African-American artist who after attending the Robert Vaux School decided he would become a painter; eventually enrolled at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 1880. • Antonio Martino - born in South Philadelphia in 1902, his formal training included instruction at Philadelphia's Spring Garden Institute of Art; eventually painted many scenes of Roxborough and Manayuok. • Laura Wheeler Waring - completed studies at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 1914 and created portraits of known figures from the NAACP; eventually became the head ofthe department of art and music at Cheyney University.
Transcript of CITY OF PHILADELPHIA - Office of the Controller · Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent....
CITY OF PHILADELPHIA ALAN BUTKOVITZ 12th Floor Municipal Services Bldg
City ConlIolier1401 John F Kennedy Boulevard wwwphiladelphiacontrollerorgPhiladelphia PA 19102
(215) 686-6680 FAX (215) 686-3832 alanbutkovitzphila gov
August 27 2014
Dr William R Hite Jr Superintendant School District of Philadelphia 440 N Broad Street Philadelphia P A 19130
Dear Dr Hite
Since 2006 my Office has exposed the Philadelphia School Districts lack of oversight of its artwork collection which has a replacement value of$8 million Over the years we have revealed items of artwork that were missing pieces that were deleted from the records without adequate information duplications in the inventory and some that were incorrectly coded in the records as to the correct location
While theres been an overaJllack of accountability of the Districts artwork its even more disheartening that many of these great pieces are hidden from the public behind locked doors This includes the more than 200 pieces with a replacement value of $38 million located in a storage facility Many of these pieces some I have included with this letter are by Philadelphia artists who lived studied or made a direct impression and provided inspiration to the art community in our City
Some of these artists include the following bull Walter Elmer Schofield - born in Philadelphia and initiated his formal studies in 1889 at
the Pennsylvania Academy ofthe Fine Arts bull Henry Ossawa Tanner - African-American artist who after attending the Robert Vaux
School decided he would become a painter eventually enrolled at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 1880
bull Antonio Martino - born in South Philadelphia in 1902 his formal training included instruction at Philadelphias Spring Garden Institute of Art eventually painted many scenes of Roxboro ugh and Manayuok
bull Laura Wheeler Waring - completed studies at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 1914 and created portraits of known figures from the NAACP eventually became the head ofthe department of art and music at Cheyney University
It is recommended that the District review opportunities to partner with art institutions located in the City to display the artwork for all to enjoy This could include coordinating efforts with institutions connected to the City of Philadelphia such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art or the Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent
Additionally the District should explore opportunities to merge current marketing efforts with the CityS tourism agencies and its art sector In the City of Baltimore the Walters Art Museum has been displaying reproduction paintings in public outdoor places such as the zoo and city hall to increase awareness for the art and the museum This open-air exhibition was originated in Detroit and there have been similar ventures in Delaware Michigan and Ohio
These opportunities could also lead to generating much needed new revenues where a portion of the money could be remitted back to the Districts General Fund
Thank you for your consideration into this matter as all initiatives should be explored that would allow this historical art collection to be enjoyed by everyone
ALAN BUTKOVITZ City Controller
cc Bill Green Chairman School Reform Commission Charles Croce Executive Director Philadelphia History Museum
School Woodrow Wilson Middle SchoolInventory Number 3700-8120-003Artist Tanner Henry OTitle Horse and Two Dogs in a LandscapeDate c 1930Medium Oil on CanvasImage Size 30rdquo x 38rdquoFrame Size 44rdquo x 35rdquoSigned LLFrame Wood Gold LeafLocation Principalrsquos officeFrame Condition NAConservationRestoration Grade 1 Replacement Value $ 320000
PlaqueDedication NAComments NA
School Woodrow Wilson Middle SchoolInventory Number 3700-8120-023Artist Schofield Elmer Walter Title The Bridge InnDate c 1935Medium Oil on CanvasImage Size 34rdquo x 30rdquoFrame Size 42rdquo x 36rdquoSigned LRFrame Wood Gold LeafLocation Hallway 2nd floorFrame Condition NAConservationRestoration Grade 2Replacement Value $ 385000
PlaqueDedication NAComments NA
School Woodrow Wilson Middle SchoolInventory Number 3700-8120-044Artist Martino Antonio P Title Delaware ValleyDate 1931Medium Oil on CanvasImage Size 40rdquo x 36rdquoFrame Size 47rdquo x 40rdquoSigned LRFrame Wood Gold LeafLocation Hallway 1st floorFrame Condition NAConservationRestoration Grade 2 Replacement Value $ 50000
PlaqueDedication NAComments NA
School Laura Wheeler Waring SchoolInventory Number 3630-2490-002Artist Waring Laura WheelerTitle House Near CheyneyDate NAMedium Oil on CanvasImage Size 195rdquo x 155rdquoFrame Size 245rdquo x 205rdquoSigned NoFrame WoodLocation Main Office closetFrame Condition 2ConservationRestoration Grade 2Replacement Value $ 60000
PlaqueDedication NAComments Black Matri-Images ndash December 3 1972 ndash January 15 1973 Morgan State College Gallery of Art Baltimore MD
It is recommended that the District review opportunities to partner with art institutions located in the City to display the artwork for all to enjoy This could include coordinating efforts with institutions connected to the City of Philadelphia such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art or the Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent
Additionally the District should explore opportunities to merge current marketing efforts with the CityS tourism agencies and its art sector In the City of Baltimore the Walters Art Museum has been displaying reproduction paintings in public outdoor places such as the zoo and city hall to increase awareness for the art and the museum This open-air exhibition was originated in Detroit and there have been similar ventures in Delaware Michigan and Ohio
These opportunities could also lead to generating much needed new revenues where a portion of the money could be remitted back to the Districts General Fund
Thank you for your consideration into this matter as all initiatives should be explored that would allow this historical art collection to be enjoyed by everyone
ALAN BUTKOVITZ City Controller
cc Bill Green Chairman School Reform Commission Charles Croce Executive Director Philadelphia History Museum
School Woodrow Wilson Middle SchoolInventory Number 3700-8120-003Artist Tanner Henry OTitle Horse and Two Dogs in a LandscapeDate c 1930Medium Oil on CanvasImage Size 30rdquo x 38rdquoFrame Size 44rdquo x 35rdquoSigned LLFrame Wood Gold LeafLocation Principalrsquos officeFrame Condition NAConservationRestoration Grade 1 Replacement Value $ 320000
PlaqueDedication NAComments NA
School Woodrow Wilson Middle SchoolInventory Number 3700-8120-023Artist Schofield Elmer Walter Title The Bridge InnDate c 1935Medium Oil on CanvasImage Size 34rdquo x 30rdquoFrame Size 42rdquo x 36rdquoSigned LRFrame Wood Gold LeafLocation Hallway 2nd floorFrame Condition NAConservationRestoration Grade 2Replacement Value $ 385000
PlaqueDedication NAComments NA
School Woodrow Wilson Middle SchoolInventory Number 3700-8120-044Artist Martino Antonio P Title Delaware ValleyDate 1931Medium Oil on CanvasImage Size 40rdquo x 36rdquoFrame Size 47rdquo x 40rdquoSigned LRFrame Wood Gold LeafLocation Hallway 1st floorFrame Condition NAConservationRestoration Grade 2 Replacement Value $ 50000
PlaqueDedication NAComments NA
School Laura Wheeler Waring SchoolInventory Number 3630-2490-002Artist Waring Laura WheelerTitle House Near CheyneyDate NAMedium Oil on CanvasImage Size 195rdquo x 155rdquoFrame Size 245rdquo x 205rdquoSigned NoFrame WoodLocation Main Office closetFrame Condition 2ConservationRestoration Grade 2Replacement Value $ 60000
PlaqueDedication NAComments Black Matri-Images ndash December 3 1972 ndash January 15 1973 Morgan State College Gallery of Art Baltimore MD
School Woodrow Wilson Middle SchoolInventory Number 3700-8120-003Artist Tanner Henry OTitle Horse and Two Dogs in a LandscapeDate c 1930Medium Oil on CanvasImage Size 30rdquo x 38rdquoFrame Size 44rdquo x 35rdquoSigned LLFrame Wood Gold LeafLocation Principalrsquos officeFrame Condition NAConservationRestoration Grade 1 Replacement Value $ 320000
PlaqueDedication NAComments NA
School Woodrow Wilson Middle SchoolInventory Number 3700-8120-023Artist Schofield Elmer Walter Title The Bridge InnDate c 1935Medium Oil on CanvasImage Size 34rdquo x 30rdquoFrame Size 42rdquo x 36rdquoSigned LRFrame Wood Gold LeafLocation Hallway 2nd floorFrame Condition NAConservationRestoration Grade 2Replacement Value $ 385000
PlaqueDedication NAComments NA
School Woodrow Wilson Middle SchoolInventory Number 3700-8120-044Artist Martino Antonio P Title Delaware ValleyDate 1931Medium Oil on CanvasImage Size 40rdquo x 36rdquoFrame Size 47rdquo x 40rdquoSigned LRFrame Wood Gold LeafLocation Hallway 1st floorFrame Condition NAConservationRestoration Grade 2 Replacement Value $ 50000
PlaqueDedication NAComments NA
School Laura Wheeler Waring SchoolInventory Number 3630-2490-002Artist Waring Laura WheelerTitle House Near CheyneyDate NAMedium Oil on CanvasImage Size 195rdquo x 155rdquoFrame Size 245rdquo x 205rdquoSigned NoFrame WoodLocation Main Office closetFrame Condition 2ConservationRestoration Grade 2Replacement Value $ 60000
PlaqueDedication NAComments Black Matri-Images ndash December 3 1972 ndash January 15 1973 Morgan State College Gallery of Art Baltimore MD
School Woodrow Wilson Middle SchoolInventory Number 3700-8120-023Artist Schofield Elmer Walter Title The Bridge InnDate c 1935Medium Oil on CanvasImage Size 34rdquo x 30rdquoFrame Size 42rdquo x 36rdquoSigned LRFrame Wood Gold LeafLocation Hallway 2nd floorFrame Condition NAConservationRestoration Grade 2Replacement Value $ 385000
PlaqueDedication NAComments NA
School Woodrow Wilson Middle SchoolInventory Number 3700-8120-044Artist Martino Antonio P Title Delaware ValleyDate 1931Medium Oil on CanvasImage Size 40rdquo x 36rdquoFrame Size 47rdquo x 40rdquoSigned LRFrame Wood Gold LeafLocation Hallway 1st floorFrame Condition NAConservationRestoration Grade 2 Replacement Value $ 50000
PlaqueDedication NAComments NA
School Laura Wheeler Waring SchoolInventory Number 3630-2490-002Artist Waring Laura WheelerTitle House Near CheyneyDate NAMedium Oil on CanvasImage Size 195rdquo x 155rdquoFrame Size 245rdquo x 205rdquoSigned NoFrame WoodLocation Main Office closetFrame Condition 2ConservationRestoration Grade 2Replacement Value $ 60000
PlaqueDedication NAComments Black Matri-Images ndash December 3 1972 ndash January 15 1973 Morgan State College Gallery of Art Baltimore MD
School Woodrow Wilson Middle SchoolInventory Number 3700-8120-044Artist Martino Antonio P Title Delaware ValleyDate 1931Medium Oil on CanvasImage Size 40rdquo x 36rdquoFrame Size 47rdquo x 40rdquoSigned LRFrame Wood Gold LeafLocation Hallway 1st floorFrame Condition NAConservationRestoration Grade 2 Replacement Value $ 50000
PlaqueDedication NAComments NA
School Laura Wheeler Waring SchoolInventory Number 3630-2490-002Artist Waring Laura WheelerTitle House Near CheyneyDate NAMedium Oil on CanvasImage Size 195rdquo x 155rdquoFrame Size 245rdquo x 205rdquoSigned NoFrame WoodLocation Main Office closetFrame Condition 2ConservationRestoration Grade 2Replacement Value $ 60000
PlaqueDedication NAComments Black Matri-Images ndash December 3 1972 ndash January 15 1973 Morgan State College Gallery of Art Baltimore MD
School Laura Wheeler Waring SchoolInventory Number 3630-2490-002Artist Waring Laura WheelerTitle House Near CheyneyDate NAMedium Oil on CanvasImage Size 195rdquo x 155rdquoFrame Size 245rdquo x 205rdquoSigned NoFrame WoodLocation Main Office closetFrame Condition 2ConservationRestoration Grade 2Replacement Value $ 60000
PlaqueDedication NAComments Black Matri-Images ndash December 3 1972 ndash January 15 1973 Morgan State College Gallery of Art Baltimore MD
