I think paying an artist from Alabama $45,000 for a piece inspired by New Mexico history to be put on display is wildly inappropriate. The phrase “culture vulture” comes to mind (defined as a person who adopts something from a different community or culture and makes it their own), something that is all too common in this neck of the woods unfortunately.

I would have to say that I am strongly opposed to this matter until a native New Mexican artist can be commissioned for a piece instead.

It should be a work from a local Native artist - read the tone of our state. Such an oddball choice. Strongly oppose until a local artist is commissioned at a logical rate. Please stop trying to make our community more of a laughing stock than it already is to the outside world

Thank you for the opportunity to voice my opinion as a Los Alamos resident about this work of art before the Art in Public Places Board. Their thoughtful attention to the matter is appreciated. I do support art in public places in general.

I attended the County Council meeting where the painting artist and his supporters made their case for the purchase of this painting by the County, attemptig an "end run" around the APPB, which had already declined to recommend the purchase. I also listened to several arguments against the purchase, including its exhorbitant price, its mediocre quality as an art piece, and the troubling associations with the former director of the Ranch School. Further, although the supporters attempted to distance the Ranch School and its director from the Boy Scouts of America and their involvement in the sexual abuse of boys in their respective programs, their arguments inadvertently reinforced the perception of that relationship.

It was pointed out in the meeting that the subjects in the painting, including a bare chested student on horseback, may have been historically accurate, but may also trigger painful remembrances for some Ranch School victims of abuse. That reason alone is sufficient to not have this painting displayed in Fuller Lodge, a location central to the School. Imagine being a former student there, and seeing this painting evoking perhaps painful memories at the School, and in that very space.

Moreover, the asking price of the painting seems high in my view. At times, over $70,000 was being asked, if I recall correctly. I would not pay a tenth of that. And even if the painting were simply donated, I still do not believe it has a place in such a public place. Let it be sold to some private party for whatever price they would like to pay, and let it be displayed in their own home or gallery. If it is indeed a valuable work, then the private art market will show that. No need for Los Alamos County to be involved at all.

Don't use my tax money for this, or any other, art.

I note the price which came before the County Council for purchase of this painting. It is far too high for this mediocre piece of art. This painting will not change lives, will not even be noticed for more than a few seconds by most visitors. Please spend our money more wisely, to help our community!

I oppose this purchase as there are better investments that do not glorify the BSA, which has caused irreparable harm to many people over the years. This is a lovely painting, but the subject is problematic. Find another example of Ranch School or Manhattan Project history to support, please.

I would be curious to know why this specific painting and why this specific artist. For $50k+? I would think the board could commission another artist to paint a Ranch School themed painting for much less of the apportioned funds if the goal is to have something in the public art collection that relates to that era.

I do not approve of purchasing this painting. It is over-priced. It would be better to use a photograph from the Ranch School days.

I fully support the purchase of this painting. It is an iconic piece about the early history of Los Alamos. It belongs in Fuller Lodge. Too many people only associate the Lodge (and Los Alamos) with the Manhattan Project. This painting shows that there was so much more going on here before the world changed. Clearly the community support for this purchase is high. A number of art projects which cost much more, and had lower general support, have been previously purchased. If price is the only issue, would it be possible to take up a collection to help defray the cost?

This is very overpriced.

I oppose the purchase of this painting at this price without an appraisal done by the folks who are trying to sell it. I do think it is a piece of our history worth displaying, but I have seen nothing to indicate that the price is appropriate and many larger, more public pieces of art have been turned down over their prices which have been significantly less than this piece.