The Allen Memorial Art Museum art rental has changed this year, and some suggest that it’s not for the better. Through the rental, which draws about 200 people, students ca n rent works by Picasso, Renoir, and Pollock, among others, at $5 a piece for a semester.

Although students and administrators praise it as a wonderful and integral part of life at Oberlin, some students are upset at the direction in which it has headed.

The art rental is completely student-run. Rules for rental order have traditionally been posted on the morning before the art rental begins. Some, like junior Alec Scott, find this system inadequate, but feel the positives of the program outweigh its shortcomings. Scott read about the art rental online, and believed the official 9 a.m. Friday sign-up time to be the only one.

“At first I was angry,” said Scott. “It seemed like I had to be in on the scoop. But I’m here anyway, and it’s better to be 115th than to not be here at all.”

In previous years, the sign-up system has involved a night outside the art building with periodic (usually hourly) roll calls to assure everyone’s continued attendance, accompanied by a sign-up list in recent times. This year there was only a list, with four roll calls at 10 p.m., 12 a.m., 7 a.m., and 9 a.m. so people wouldn’t have to stay all night. Many students were nonplussed.

“Part of the fun is staying and having a good time,” senior Sarah Wallace said.

According to one student, there were actually two lists this year.

“The first was put up by a group of girls who were here at, like, 5 am. Then a group of guys came along later and tore it down and put up their own list, and the girls who got here first weren’t even on itI’ve never seen anybody tear down the rules before,” she said. “Art rental is going in a crazy direction.”

Students still feel that the art rental is a positive program, even with this year’s confusion. Senior Sandy McNaught spoke of a fellow student’s dedication.

“One girl drew a map of where what she wanted was placed in the preview so she could be sure to find it again.”

Acting Museum Director Katherine Solender said the art rental was important to help students appreciate art.

“Sustained engagement with works of art, not just in museums, but in the informal circumstances of a dorm room, can enrich students’ lives now and in the future,” said Solender. “And of course, I lovethe ideathat today’s art renters are tomorrow’s art patrons, art supporters, art collectors, and even museum donors!”

None of the pieces have ever been seriously damaged or stolen, according to Solender.

“Occasionally a piece is returned with a frame in need of minor repair, or with a print that has slipped off its hinges,” said Solender. “I think in the past we’ve seen a few instances of water damage, but when that has happened the works involved have been conserved.”

She attributed this to the character of Oberlin’s student body. Wallace suggested another reason.
“I think that part of it is [art rental founder] Ellen Johnson’s legacy..”