Spring Break
Benton's Scalora Retires
Andrew Peters
Issue date: 8/7/06 Section: News
Not surprisingly, Scalora's favorite exhibit at the Benton was a product of his human rights vision - the Tibetan monks' creation of the sand mandala, juxtaposed with vivid war photography by Time Magazine's James Nachtwey.
"You can't blow people's minds with terror all the time without giving them something to hope for - that's where the mandala comes in," Scalora said of the seemingly odd contrast. "Seeing art made right in front of our eyes is a beautiful thing, but it's ephemeral. Much like a broadway play, we don't keep it, but we keep the memory: a long-term idea for peace and harmony."
Benton Business Manager Karen Sommers will remember her colleague "Sal" not only for his contributions to the museum, but for the hard work he demonstrated in his quest for knowledge and understanding of art.
"Often when a large group was around the mandala, one would see Sal there teaching the crowd about the mandala and its purpose," said Sommers. "Sal was a teacher at heart and loved to personally give tours of the works of art in the galleries."
Succeeding Scalora as director of the museum is Steven Kern, former curator of European Art at the San Diego Museum of Art, according to ctnow.com.
Now retired, Scalora looks forward to spending more time with his wife. He hopes to enjoy the ephemeral beauty of life as he did great works of art during his tenure.
"I'm kind of young to be retiring," Scalora said, " but I think it's the right decision. You really never know how much time you have left on earth."
"You can't blow people's minds with terror all the time without giving them something to hope for - that's where the mandala comes in," Scalora said of the seemingly odd contrast. "Seeing art made right in front of our eyes is a beautiful thing, but it's ephemeral. Much like a broadway play, we don't keep it, but we keep the memory: a long-term idea for peace and harmony."
Benton Business Manager Karen Sommers will remember her colleague "Sal" not only for his contributions to the museum, but for the hard work he demonstrated in his quest for knowledge and understanding of art.
"Often when a large group was around the mandala, one would see Sal there teaching the crowd about the mandala and its purpose," said Sommers. "Sal was a teacher at heart and loved to personally give tours of the works of art in the galleries."
Succeeding Scalora as director of the museum is Steven Kern, former curator of European Art at the San Diego Museum of Art, according to ctnow.com.
Now retired, Scalora looks forward to spending more time with his wife. He hopes to enjoy the ephemeral beauty of life as he did great works of art during his tenure.
"I'm kind of young to be retiring," Scalora said, " but I think it's the right decision. You really never know how much time you have left on earth."
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