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NORTH ATTLEBORO - Anybody want to buy a Russian masterpiece?
In a stunning turn, selectmen unanimously voted Thursday night to sell the "Afghans" painting, provided an agreement can be worked out with the school committee on how the proceeds would be used.
In addition, selectmen voted to place a non-binding referendum question on the April 5 town election ballot asking voters whether they are in favor of selling the painting.
Selectmen had been staunchly opposed to the sale of the Alexandre Iacovleff painting since it was whisked away to Sotheby's auction house in New York City about four years ago.
It was sent away for safekeeping by the school committee when that board learned the masterpiece could be worth more than $1 million. In fact, a majority of selectmen remain opposed to a sale of the painting, which was donated by W. Charles Thompson when he personally hung the masterpiece in 1951 in what is now the Community School.
But Thursday, selectmen said the vote to sell is the only way to end a stalemate with the school committee over the sale of the painting.
"In order to get the ball rolling, we would initiate the sale of the painting and then see where the chips fall," Selectman Christopher Sweet said.
To sell the painting, the town would have to receive approval in Bristol County Superior Court - a legal question that is expected to draw a challenge.
W. Charles Thompson's children, who are still living and listed on the donation plaque, have said they oppose a sale and the state Attorney General's Office has also indicated it would intervene.
Selectmen Chairman Michael Thompson said voting to sell the painting is the best way to clear up legal issues that surround the painting. "My whole interest in this is to determine who is in control of the painting," he said. "There isn't any scenario where we won't end up in court."
Selectwoman Joan Marchitto said she would prefer to see a trust agreement worked out with the school committee before voting to sell the painting.
However, Selectman Mark Williamson said both boards have agreed in principle that any money from a sale would be used to create a trust fund in W. Charles Thompson's name that would provide arts scholarships, support arts programming and pay for a replica of the painting to hang in town.
After voting to sell the painting, selectmen voted unanimously to give voters a chance to voice their opinion through a non-binding ballot question, at Selectman John Rhyno's suggestion.
"(The painting) doesn't belong to selectmen and it doesn't belong to the school committee. It belongs to the townspeople," Rhyno said. "It's a town treasure and people should decide what to do with their town treasure."
Williamson expressed concern that voters might not be up to speed on the complex legal implications involved with either selling or keeping the painting, but he ultimately voted in favor of the ballot question.
BY AMY DeMELIA SUN CHRONICLE STAFF |
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