Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Local News


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 12:00 AM

E-mail article     Print view

Photo gallery's window smashed

A window featuring a display of photographs of transgender women was smashed early Sunday in an act of vandalism the owner of Benham Gallery...

Seattle Times staff reporter

A window featuring a display of photographs of transgender women was smashed early Sunday in an act of vandalism the owner of Benham Gallery believes was committed by someone offended by the photos' subject matter.

A large Seattle utility-hole cover was hurled through the window at 1216 First Ave., breaking the glass, slamming against a wall and damaging the floor when it fell.

The previous day, someone smeared feces on the window while the gallery was open, said Marita Holdaway, the gallery owner. No one noticed anyone until one of the gallery employees saw something on the glass, went out and checked and "saw it was something unpleasant," Holdaway said. Holdaway ran outside and saw a large, bearded man looking at the gallery and laughing.

When she was notified about the window being smashed, she placed a note on the plastic window covering.

"We believe our window was smashed by a person who was challenged by the content of this exhibition. The subjects of these artworks have experienced enough of this kind of cowardliness and violence. We are happy to discuss our curatorial decisions with anyone who wishes to talk with us instead of experiencing this kind of behavior."

The exhibit called "Erotic Beauty" opened March 5, featuring the work of Paul Dahlquist, David Steinberg, Fiona Aboud and Sean Newman. Also during the exhibit, which will continue until April 12, Steinberg led a discussion about his book, "Divas of San Francisco," featuring portraits of transsexual women who frequent San Francisco's Divas Nightclub and Bar.

The subjects of the photos have a difficult time living their lives, Holdaway said. "This is discouraging that someone would feel this angry."

According to Seattle police, there are no suspects and no estimate of loss.

Nancy Bartley: 206-464-8522

or nbartley@seattletimes.com

Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company

More Local News headlines...

E-mail article Print view      Share:    Digg     Newsvine

advertising

NEW - 11:04 PM
Prosecutors prepare charges against suspect in police shooting

NEW - 10:49 PM
Jerry Large: Breaking out of our bubble

NEW - 10:49 PM
Bumper to Bumper: Is Mercer Mess getting messier?

NEW - 10:39 PM
Pakistani-American cafe, bar owner on verge of being Granite Falls mayor

NEW - 10:48 PM
For 80-year-old Maple Valley man, hoops aren't just a dream

Advertising

Video

Mourners gather at KeyArena for slain officer's memorial
Mourners gathered at KeyArena for the memorial service of Seattle police Officer Timothy Brenton on November 6, 2009.

Procession for slain SPD officer
Election Night: Approve R-71
Election Night: Reject R-71
Election Night: Joe Mallahan
Election Night: Mike McGinn
Election Night: Susan Hutchison
Election Night: Dow Constatine
Candlelight vigil for Officer Brenton
Flying Elephant on Aurora

Marketplace

nwautos

2009's most fuel-efficient sedansnew
Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment

Open Houses

Find this weekend's open house listings.
Or search by location:

 
Most read
Most commented
Most e-mailed
 
 
Advertising