a street fight that occurred between the U.S. Army and the Ohio National Guard in 1904.
When an Ohio University art student set out to depict a piece of local history, he had no idea a city ordinance would stop him from displaying his work Uptown.
While researching a class project last quarter, Devin Nolan, a junior studying painting, found a small section on Athens' Wikipedia page about the Battle on Washington Street a street fight that occurred between the U.S. Army and the Ohio National Guard in 1904. Army members arrested National Guardsmen after they became drunk and caused a disturbance, according to the page. One Guardsman was killed and several were wounded in the battle.
Nolan continued his research at the Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections at Alden Library and created a 4-by-2 foot wide painting inside an 8-by-3 foot freestanding frame, which he then arranged to display for three days at the Athens County Sheriff's Office, 13 W. Washington St.
I chose the site because the actual confrontation happened in front of the sheriff's residence (on Washington Street) but I didn't know where the sheriff's residence was
he said. It's relevant
and I figured it was safe (at the current office).
Nolan set up the painting March 10, intending to display it in front of the Sheriff's Office until March 12. Within a few hours, however, the painting had been removed and placed behind the building.
Athens County Sheriff Pat Kelly, who removed the painting, said it is illegal to display or install art on the sidewalks in Athens, even though Nolan had received permission from Lt. Bryan Cooper to display the piece.
It wasn't a good place - right in front of the entrance to the office - but I didn't have a problem with it
Kelly said, adding that he liked the piece and even took pictures of it. I didn't want it destroyed.
According to Athens City Code, nothing can be installed on sidewalks, with the exception of traffic signs and government signs.
Assistant professor Matthew Friday assigned Nolan's intermediate painting class to create site-specific works of art for display in Athens. Site-specific art is a work that has been created to exist in a predetermined place.
I had to put (the painting) on the sidewalk because it's meant to be walked around
said Nolan, who constructed the piece to show a different scene of the battle from all angles. For most (public art) policies
it says that it has to be educational
which it is because it retells the story.
Regardless of the laws regarding installations on sidewalks, Friday said Athens is usually a public art-friendly place.
This is the first time we've had any problem
and (the class has) been doing this for years
he said. People are generally supportive
