Miscellaneous

Art for Courthouse Art's Sake

By Anne Skove, Esq.

You've seen the American Gallery of Juror Art, and viewed trial sketches on the news (or at Turkewitz's site). Courthouses are chock full o' art. Many court websites include a peek:

• One of Delaware's three counties, New Castle, boasts "a visual feast of brilliant color" and more.


• What a surprise to find that Kansas is not rendered exclusively in sepia tones. The Kansas Judicial Branch Photo Album includes a sculpture of justice, plus photos of justices and special events.


• We can't explain why the Hampshire Council of Governments is located in Massachusetts (maybe it's Old Hampshire), but they have a nifty Old Courthouse Art Gallery. Leave your pocket knives and cameras at home -- it's just like a regular courthouse, only with art!


• The Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society maintains thorough biographies and historic portraits of all the justices. There will be a quiz!


• If you're in Vermont, go inside! Not only is it warmer in the courthouse, you can also view fun cow art. Exhibits change throughout the year.

There are likewise beautiful images of courthouses themselves. Connecticut has postcards with historic photos. The West Virginia Court of Appeals posted nice architectural photos on the first page of its soon-to-be-redesigned site.

Using public spaces and funds for art can spark controversy (said she who remembers the local flap over Mapplethorpe, which brought more people to the CAC than ever). Milwaukee struggled with this a few years ago: Walker Pulls Mural from Courthouse Rotunda, Dave Umhoefer, Journal Sentinel (May 10, 2003). See also Courthouse Jesus Portrait Draws Ire, Support, Jenny Hurwitz, Nola.com (June 26, 2007).

Then there's the less sensational brand of dissent, the ever-popular "My kid could do that!"

See also Hot Trials Raise Profile of Sketch Artists, Jennifer Phillips, CNS (March 14, 2006), for an interesting inside look at courtroom sketch artists.

Full post as published by court-o-rama.org on January 28, 2008 (boomark / email).