Community Art Project parts ways with Wells Fargo
Community Art Project will end its longtime partnership with Wells Fargo in Laguna Beach, a decision made by board members after the nonprofit organization was notified that future artwork selected to be displayed in the gallery space would be subject to corporate review.
The parting of the ways comes following the removal of a human rights-themed exhibit from the Wells Fargo branch at 260 Ocean Avenue earlier this year. Artist Allyson Allen’s “Piece-ful Protest” quilts had to find a new home after the bank branch deemed some pieces too controversial.
Allen’s exhibit relocated to Laguna’s Neighborhood Congregational Church, where it will continue to be on display through April 24. The exhibit is open to the public from noon to 3 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. A couple of Allen’s quilts have also been shown at Laguna Art Museum.
An amendment to the license agreement was sent by Wells Fargo to Community Art Project last Friday, a proposal the nonprofit’s board of directors swiftly rejected.
“The Board finds the onerous terms of the amendment unacceptable and adverse to the freedom of artistic expression,” Faye Baglin, treasurer for Community Art Project, wrote in an email to Wells Fargo representatives. “Based upon this conclusion, Community Art Project is notifying you that we are terminating the License Agreement as of April 30, 2022.”
The amendment would have required the nonprofit organization to submit a digital copy of each work of art and information about the artist for each piece to be submitted at least 15 business days prior to the initial exhibition date. Those materials were to be sent to Bryan C. Campbell, a vice president and regional banking district manager for Wells Fargo.
Laura Mayo, president of Community Art Project, said the organization’s board conducts its own screening process. She added the proposed changes would have prolonged the process to put art on display and it would have resulted in a loss of control.
“We were, I wouldn’t say shocked because of what happened with Allyson Allen, but I would say that we were very disappointed that they would decide to take this approach,” Mayo said.
Community Art Project and Wells Fargo have had a 20-year relationship with respect to its gallery space.
“We were recently informed that the Community Art Project is terminating its pro-bono use of space at our Laguna Beach branch,” Wells Fargo spokesperson Josefina Talavera said in a statement issued on behalf of the bank. “We wish the organization well and remain committed to the arts in the Laguna Beach community.”
As written, the proposed amendment would have given Wells Fargo “sole and absolute discretion” to make determinations on the appropriateness of the artwork and whether it could be seen as offensive by customers and employees as a basis for approval.
“I think that they need to be involved in the process, but not to the extent that they’re requesting now in the revised contract,” Mayo added.
As for where Community Art Project may look to place its exhibits in the future, Mayo said the organization would like to place artwork in the Laguna Beach Community and Susi Q Center. The nonprofit has also had art displayed at City Hall in the past.
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