Spanish Police Raid Private Winery Museum Full Of Stolen Antiquities

Spanish police have raided a winery in southern Spain and seized more than 5,000 stolen archaeological artefacts which were on display in a clandestine museum in the cellars of the building. “The raid followed a three-month investigation dubbed “Operación Toro.”
The objects, which filled several rooms, were carefully arranged in glass cabinets and bookcases, and organised into chronological order with labels and other documentation.”

Chicago Fired Public Art Director

“Michael Lash, Chicago’s director of public art and the person who oversaw ventures ranging from the Cows on Parade exhibition to acquisition of millions of dollars of original works for city buildings, has been fired. The dismissal came after Lash allegedly threw a cell phone, striking a co-worker in the city’s Cultural Affairs Department, where he worked. Lash also has been criticized for allegedly being a poor fit for a job that requires strong administrative skills.”

UK To Release Moore Film

Michael Moore’s UK distributor says it will release Farenheit 911 in the UK, even though Disney won’t allow its release in the US. “We feel it is important that artists and commentators are always free to express their opinions.” Meanwhile, in the US, Disney is “accusing Moore of engineering a dispute about the film’s release to gain maximum publicity for it.”

The Case For Sarasota Arts

Arts supporters in Sarasota, Florida are making their case for the arts. “The Urban Institute’s Performing Arts Research Coalition study shows that 71 percent of residents attend arts events. In addition, 43 percent of those surveyed said that the arts played a part in their decision to move to Sarasota. Data gathered by the Renbrook Consulting Group shows that 20 percent of all arts admissions are free, and that people of all income levels attend the arts. This dispels the popular notion that culture in Sarasota County is for the elite few.”

Major Mayan City Find

“An Italian archeologist said Tuesday he had uncovered ancient objects that show an unexplored site in Guatemala’s Peten region to be one of the most significant preclassic Mayan cities ever found.” The city he has discovered could have been home to 10,000 Mayans at its peak, he says.