The Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, received approval from state's highest court Thursday for an agreement allowing it to sell up to 40 artworks. The decision clears the way for a contentious sale that will include some pieces by Norman Rockwell.
Elizabeth McGraw, chairman of the museum's board of trustees, said the decision is "great news."
"We recognize this decision may not please those who have opposed the museum’s plans," McGraw said in a statement. "Still, we hope people will be able to move forward in a constructive way to help us secure and strengthen the future of this museum, at a time when our community needs it more than ever."
McGraw also said some of the art up for sale may end up remaining at the museum.
"We’re very hopeful that not all of the artwork needs to be sold, at this point and juncture, given the agreement that we came to with the Attorney General," she said.
Nicholas O'Donnell, a lawyer representing museum who oppose the sale, said the decision marks a sad day for Massachusetts. His statement is below:
My clients are disappointed in the Single Justice ruling but remain grateful for the opportunity to address the Court with their views. The decision makes it more clear than ever that the Office of the Attorney General’s abrupt and unexplained about-face less than three weeks after forcefully and accurately denouncing the Trustees’ fiduciary lapses played an overwhelming role in the outcome. It is a sad day both for the people of Massachusetts and the true custodians, working tirelessly to preserve and protect our local and national heritage, throughout America.
Justice Lowy of the Massachusetts Supreme Court has ruled that @BerkshireMuseum may proceed with its #unethical #deaccessioning scheme. The sell-off of the #Berkshires cultural heritage begins next month. It is a dark day for the #Berkshires & #museums https://t.co/6G6PsT7z4P
— SAVE THE ART (STA) (@SaveTheArt01201) April 5, 2018
Berkshire Museum officials have said selling the art is a complicated decision, but in the end the sale is about survival of the museum.
Ethan Klepetar, vice president of the museum's board, said it was the most ethical thing to do, to stay true to the museum's mission.
"We've got problems with mold... with weeping walls," he said. "We've got drip from our ceiling that leads to icicles forming on the floor in certain rooms. So we're going to take the steps to fix that. And frankly, we haven't been able to do that in decades, because we simply didn't have enough money."
The museum's plans have drawn criticism from of Norman Rockwell's family.
The American Alliance of Museums, an organization representing the entire scope of the museum community, and the Association of Art Museum Directors, an organization representing 243 directors of leading art museums in the U.S., were deeply opposed to the Berkshire Museum’s plans to sell the works from its collection.
Adam Frenier contributed reporting.
