Page 543 - Demo

Post-Pandemic537time, and included a set of my seven photography books, with the offer to bring the actual photos down for them to evaluate. Again, I heard nothing. However, when I happened to check their website, I learned that that the woman I had communicated with, and had mailed the package to, was now retired. Because her last day was several months after the last email I sent, there was no excuse for her not getting back to me. I figured the package could have gotten misplaced, so I sent an email to the new Director summarizing what had happened. She responded the next day, saying she%u2019d look into the matter and either respond soon or have someone else reach out.It was the first woman who emailed a few days later. She apologized for not getting back to me, and said they would have to decline my offer because my work didn%u2019t fit, %u201cwithin the Museum%u2019s current collecting goals.%u201d Then she said she%u2019d consulted with the Archivist at the University of Southern Indiana, and together they recommended that I contact Evansville%u2019s Willard Library.Lynn and I both knew about the Willard. It was the city%u2019s most historic library, had a great genealogy department, and I%u2019d actually given a presentation there. In recommending the Willard, the retired Director offered to deliver to them the books and other materials I%u2019d sent her. Which I said I would appreciate very much, then I sent an email to both the Archivist and the Director of the Willard and told them to expect the package. When I didn%u2019t receive a response after ten days, I sent a follow-up email, but still received no reply whatsoever. Now there were two prominent institutions in Evansville %u2014 the museum and the library %u2014 that failed to demonstrate what I considered common courtesy. So, I wrote off both of them.Next, I sent an email to Amy MacLennan, the Curator at the Swope Art Museum. It%u2019s one of the real jewels in Terre Haute, and Lynn and I had visited it many times over the years. Amy emailed back right away, saying, %u201cYour work is beautiful, falls well within our collection goals, and would be a very nice addition to the permanent collection.%u201d However, there was a minor problem. Her museum was getting ready to shut down for some major construction work. They were going to add two new galleries, and some much needed collection storage space which was currently at 120%