Culture Official’s Departure Irks Ventura Artists

The sudden ouster of Ventura’s cultural affairs manager drew dozens of artists to this week’s City Council meeting to voice support for a woman they called the “ears and voice” of the art community.

The council sat silently Monday as 13 artists took turns speaking--some accusing the city of forcing Consuelo Underwood out, others asking for answers or offering advice for finding her replacement. Some speakers said Underwood’s departure was an indication the city doesn’t support the arts.

City officials have said the resignation is a personnel matter that they cannot discuss publicly, and Underwood declined to explain her reasons for leaving.

On Tuesday, Mayor Ray DiGuilio said the arts remain a priority for the city.

“This in no way sends a message to that part of the art community [who spoke at Monday’s meeting],” DiGuilio said. “We have not gone back on our commitment to work with them in a meaningful way.”

Underwood had worked in San Jose and Phoenix before being hired by the city last July following a national search. Her last day was April 26.

Many artists have said they believe that Underwood was forced out after upsetting more-established members of the art community in Ventura by the way she handled the city’s disbursement of grants.

“She stepped on some toes,” said Paul Linhard, proprietor of Art City Sculpture Supplies in Ventura. “A lot of artists got money who would have never gotten money before she came.”

“They brought in Consuelo to make the process more equitable,” said Taras Tulek, a local painter. “When she distributed [the grant money] more equally, she took it away from some groups that were used to getting it.”

He and others say they’re not buying the unofficial explanation making the rounds of the arts community.

“The excuse, the rationale we’ve been given was that she didn’t get along,” said Suz Montgomery-Hart, a community activist. “This was not a personality issue. People who didn’t get money they wanted went and complained.”

Councilman Jim Monahan said that while he is unfamiliar with the details of Underwood’s departure, he believes that she was a good fit as the city’s cultural manager.

“I don’t think she was dealt with fairly,” Monahan said. “We lost a valuable employee in the city. I believe she was very qualified.”

Several speakers Monday praised Underwood’s handling of the public arts program, which she helped start. She was able to bring the arts community together for the first time, they said.

“If anything good comes of this,” said Montgomery-Hart, “it will be that artists are going to mobilize and become more businesslike.”

Despite rumors to the contrary, DiGuilio said the city does plan to replace Underwood.

However, Underwood said she has concerns about the city’s ability to find a qualified replacement.

“What’s important is that they find a professional arts administrator, someone with arts administration experience,” she said. “And it’s equally important for the city to expand support for the arts.”

Jim Walker, community services director for the city, said the search to replace Underwood will begin in three to four weeks and should take approximately three or four months. The city will seek feedback from the arts community during the process, he said.

Underwood has said she plans to remain in Ventura, focusing on her public-art consulting business.