
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, April 20, 1990                   TAG: 9004200354
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Short

POLL SAYS PUBLIC REJECTS CONTROVERSIAL-ART LIMITS

An anti-censorship lobbying group said Thursday that a new nationwide poll shows Americans overwhelmingly support the National Endowment for the Arts and oppose conservative lawmakers' efforts to curb federal support for controversial art.

The poll results were released by the liberal People for the American Way as a pornography-fighting preacher sent members of Congress envelopes containing what he called "filthy" pictures of homosexual acts from an Illinois art exhibit mounted with a $15,000 grant from the endowment.

"We're spending $175 million in this area that benefits primarily the rich and the perverted," said the Rev. Donald Wildmon, founder and director of the American Family Association of Tupelo, Miss.

Wildmon said he hopes the reproductions of 14 images from the "David Wojnarowicz, Tongues of Flame" show at the University Galleries at Illinois State University will persuade Congress to eliminate funds for the NEA.

- Associated Press

by CNB