The Bailiff and the Actress

"Are you looking for something prominent, with iconic frontage, perhaps rising to twin peaks?" said the actress to the Bailiff about the national art gallery.

Well, I know the old set of jokes has to do with a bishop and an actress, but as the bailiff is again speaking out on behalf of his idée fixe, the "national" art gallery, the idea of linking him with a performer of the arts is irresistible. Although surely "island" would be more modest - is Jersey a nation? Last time I checked it was not, but if St Helier is to become a city (as has been mooted), perhaps the Island can become a nation. Delusions of grandeur, methinks.

Channel TV lead with this story:

Jersey's Bailiff has repeated his call for a national art gallery.

Sir Philip Bailihache made his appeal at the launch of a street art exhibition yesterday.

Standing under a copy of one of the island's most famous paintings, 'The Death of Major Pierson', Sir Philip said 'art is for everyone. It's not elitist.'

He believes the money for the building can easily be found, and that many islanders would willing put their paintings on show. He also believes many national and international galleries would lend pictures.
In "The Middle Class Rip-Off, an episode of Yes Minister, it is noted that those saying the arts are for everyone are really asking for a subsidy for their own self-indulgence. I do wonder if that is what is going on here. And of course, there is also that grand patronising attitude, where Sir Humprey says:

Sir Humphrey: Bernard, subsidy is for art... for culture. It is not to be given to what the people want: it is for what the people don't want but ought to have!

Personally, when facilities for young people are seriously deficient, if non-existent, and when school milk is being curtailed (mainly because of Philip Ozouf's apparent need for something like a promotional tour of India), we need other things far more than an art gallery. When can we get a Bailiff who will address social issues and their remedies?

Instead, it is people like Nicholas France, the Catholic Dean of Jersey, who highlights the poor housing with high rental that many people are forced to live in, and provides the impetus for the Welcome Centre next door to St Thomas Church, which like Communicare, is open to the community - and if Sir Philip cared to look inside, also displays art for visitors to the centre to see, to brighten lives at the same time and not instead of addressing the needs of the community.

Would the Good Samaritan supply the wounded man with aid, or an art gallery?

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The Welcome Centre
A Place of welcome for all communities living in Jersey. ·

A lively café selling coffee, tea, cakes, soups, snacks and lunches · Language Classes - English for foreign students, beginners and advanced. ·
The Sir John Cheshire Art Gallery, exhibiting paintings by local and international artists. ·Shop, selling cards and gifts. ·
Migrant-worker advice centre. ·
A surgery for housing estates' tenants

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVP)

Turning concern into action The Centre is also home to the office of St. Helier Conference of he SVP, which provides practical help to people in need, regardless of religious affiliation, by way of assistance with food, clothing, furniture and non-judgmental listening ear.