Guest Commentary: BOS criticism of art is disappointing, but unfortunately not surprising

Joscelyn Alaya Courtney for Ledger Dispatch

5–6 minutes

My name is Joscelyn Alaya Courtney. I am a woman of 22 years of age and I am a resident of Jackson, California. I was raised here in Amador County – I attended Pioneer Elementary School, Jackson Elementary School and Jackson Junior High School. I opted to attend Calaveras High School in order to learn French, from which I graduated with National French Honors.

I graduated with distinction from Sonoma State University in May 2022. I earned my bachelor’s degree of arts in French and a minor in Art History. I will attain my master’s degree in Art History to earn the experience and qualifications necessary to curate and direct a museum. Based upon my studies, it is apparent that I am interested in world culture and the arts. Or more specifically, how art reveals the lived experiences of individuals throughout history.

Given my background, I am invested in our local arts. I am a proud supporter of the Amador Arts Council and I appreciate their generous contributions to the county. For example, the Amador Arts Council is responsible for wholly funding the public arts education in the Amador County Unified School District. It is a vital vein in the heart of our community. So, I was appalled that this organization had recently come under fire in front of the Amador County Board of Supervisors.

However, I was not in the least surprised to find the reason cited as their approval of grants to the Pony Farm in Pioneer. For those unfamiliar with the Pony Farm, it is a functional farm and a nonprofit residency program for artists that is funded in part by the Amador Arts Council. It is an inclusive organization that brings diversity and culture to our rural area by hosting artists that represent minorities, such as people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals. These artists’ unique identities are reflected in their work.

I have come to understand that some community members find the art promoted by the Pony Farm, and by extension, the Amador Arts Council, to be offensive – or more specifically, “filthy.” Now, as an avid art historian, I do not create art, I consume it. I have studied numerous works that made me uncomfortable and could be classified as vulgar. These reactions and definitions are temporal, meaning that our perceptions are subject to our societal and cultural norms. These determining factors of identity are enforced by age, race, education, religion, politics, etc.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of Amador County is predominantly white, male and over 50 years of age. Here, we observe a low birth rate and a high death rate. This indicates generational “squeeze,” where the majority of the residents are no longer of reproductive age and those who are, are not reproducing at the sufficient rate to sustain our aging population. That being said, us young folks are statistically underrepresented. The Amador Arts Council and the Pony Farm amplifies the presence of our younger population by supporting local artists and hosting community events.

People feel a sense of belonging when they gather with like-minded individuals. When someone enters a space, it is up to them to determine whether they will stay, leave or return. So long as the group is doing no harm, allow them to do as they will. We have the gift of free will, from which we derive the freedom of expression. Therefore, we can share differences in interests, actions and opinions.

There is beauty in diversity. There is also something to be said about the openness to exploring new places and perspectives and how life experiences enrich our character. Simple disagreements do not merit the destruction of others’ ideas and creations. Censorship is a slippery slope that jeopardizes our First Amendment right to free speech. You should not outright condemn something you do not understand. Instead, observe, ask questions, perform independent research from veritable sources, form your own conclusions and go on about your life as a better-informed citizen.

To the community members that openly expressed their critiques of the works featured by the Pony Farm during their open house at the Board of Supervisors meeting, I urge you to look up Pompeiian wall frescoes; you will find that erotic art has existed for millennia. After all, it is impossible to suppress human nature.

Joscelyn Alaya Courtney is a Jackson resident.

***Editor’s Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article, and articles published in the Ledger Dispatch, are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of anyone other than the author listed.