Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 5, 1992 TAG: 9203050285
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JEFF DeBELL
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"There were some disagreements about what direction the museum should take, and I have chosen to pursue my own interests as an artist," Rutherfoord said this week.
Differences of personality and philosophy have led to occasional clashes between the two almost since Appelhof's arrival in 1988, though neither she nor Rutherfoord would discuss specifics for the record.
The disagreements have occurred in an already stressful atmosphere, especially during the last two years. Cutbacks in financial support from the state government and other sources have forced extensive layoffs, with remaining museum staffers having to absorb the duties of former colleagues.
Board president William R. Rakes said he did not believe the Rutherfoord resignation indicative of a morale problem at the museum.
"Overwork creates stresses," he said, "but I think we're going to do fine."
Rutherfoord walked out on Feb. 25. The resignation was not formally accepted by Appelhof until last Tuesday, following a week of unsuccessful efforts to find another resolution.
"I have reviewed the matter with members of the museum staff and with Bill . . . and I believe it is best for all concerned that Dr. Appelhof accept his resignation," Rakes said. "Bill is a very bright and talented artist, and I regret that he is no longer with the museum."
Appelhof said Rutherfoord "has been a great asset to the museum, and I support him as an artist. I wish it had worked out another way."
She said the museum will "move cautiously" in replacing Rutherfoord, perhaps revising the job description and probably not beginning the search until about May.
The job of assistant general manager has been eliminated at Center in the Square, thereby putting longtime employee Paige Phelps out of her job.
Phelps' departure reduces the full-time administrative staff to three, down from a one-time high of seven. As in the past, the layoff was a cost-cutting measure.
Phelps began working in the downtown Roanoke cultural center's gift shop in July 1985 and periodically took on added responsibilities, including those of building coordinator and director of volunteers, before becoming assistant general manager about 18 months ago.
"I enjoyed every minute of my time at Center," she said. "It was more than a job. . . . I'm concerned about my future, but I'm also concerned about Center's future."
Like other cultural organizations, including some of those that it houses, Center has been hit hard by cutbacks in support from the state government.
Thomas Byrd III joined the cast of "The Piano Lesson" just a week before opening night at Mill Mountain Theatre and only three days before the first performance for a student audience.
He replaced E.J. Wiggins III as Wining Boy in the August Wilson play. Wiggins pulled out after concluding, with the concurrence of director Jere Lee Hodgin, that he couldn't handle the role of the high-living musician.
Byrd hasn't played Wining Boy before, but is no stranger to Wilson's work. He just finished another role in a production of the same play at Atlanta's Alliance Theatre. Earlier, he was in Wilson's "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" at the Alliance.
"Henry Street!", the 1986 musical about the one-time center of black entertainment and social life in Roanoke, appears to have lost none of its popular appeal.
All three performances of the upcoming revival of the show are sold out.
"Henry Street!" will be presented March 20 and 21 in Whitman Auditorium at Virginia Western Community College.
The 1992 Roanoke City Art Show will be smaller than in past years, not because of a shortage of art but because of a shortage of space to display it.
The show will go in the smaller of the two main galleries at the Roanoke Museum of Fine Arts. It's on the first floor of Center in the Square. The larger second-floor gallery has been given over indefinitely to the display of works from the museum's permanent collection.
Tom Armstrong, director emeritus of New York's prestigious Whitney Museum of American Art, will be guest curator. The show will open May 9 and run through July 12.
by CNB