A year later, lawmakers have no regrets about suggesting UI sell Pollock’s Mural

DES MOINES – A year off they touched off a firestorm by suggesting the University of Iowa sell its prized Jackson Pollock Mural, Iowa lawmakers say they have no regrets.

“I still think it's something worthy of discussion,” said Rep. Scott Raecker, R-Urbandale, who offered legislation calling on the university to sell the painting, valued at $140 million, to set up a trust fund for student scholarships.

“I think any time you have an asset of $140 million and it hasn't been on your college campus in several years and there's no anticipated date of return to your campus you should at least have the discussion of what's the best use of that asset,” Raecker said.

Mural, which has been on display at the Figge Art Museum in Davenport since 2009, can be seen at the Des Moines Art Center beginning April 5.

Raecker and Rep. Ralph Watts, R-Adel, another proponent of selling the key piece of the UI Museum of Art collection, say they plan to take in the display.

“Well, I would like to get over there and see what all the ruckus is about over that painting,” Watts said. “I want to go see what all the mystique is about that painting.”

His curiosity stems in part from the fact Pollack was born in at Cody, Wyoming – about 30 miles from where Watts was born.

Raecker encourages his fellow lawmakers and all Iowans to visit the display.

“It's not been in Des Moines before and it's a $140 million asset of our state,” he said.

Like Raecker, Watts believes the sale of Mural was a discussion worth having.

“If there is something of that nature that (regents) have available to them, I think it's a fair discussion to have,” Watts said. “Did I think they were going to embrace it? No, but I think it was a fair discussion to have.”

Mural will be on display at the Des Moines Art Center from April 5 to July 15. After the UI campus was flooded in 2008, the painting, considered by some as the most important American painting ever made, was moved to the Figge. The Figge reports more than 150,000 Iowa residents, students and visitors have viewed it.

Raecker was scoffed at as a philistine, but said the discussion may have been a good thing for the painting and the Iowans who own it.

“If nothing else it brought awareness of it,” he said. “My hope is that by talking about it, the media writing about it, putting it on the air, more people are aware of that painting today than a year ago.”

He and Watts say the brickbats they received go with the legislative territory.

“In the public arena you have to have a thick skin and a soft heart,” said Raecker, whose other job is with Character Counts, which seeks to promote ethical and civil behavior.

“If there's anything we should learn from the Pollock discussion is that when there are sensitive issues, and issues we're passionate about -- whether it be an art piece or any other policy issue, we should be able to have those discussions with civility, with respect for other people's position without demonizing other people,” Raecker said. “I hope we can disagree but be civil.”

Watts didn't take the criticism personally.

“That's part of what you take on when you become a legislator,” Watts added. “You deal with it and go on to the next thing.”

For more on the Des Moines Art Center Pollock exhibit, visit

www.desmoinesartcenter.org.