by Barbra Wardle

Fine Arts and Graphics

You are the curator for the art collection of a church in a western state, and are responsible for the care, maintenance and protection of all of the art objects owned by the church. A few years ago, a famous religious sculpture, "THE CHRISTUS," was on display in Visitor's Center there for the public to enjoy.

One day, a man in a trenchcoat came into the chapel and spent a long time admiring the art work, as other people came and went. The man in the trenchcoat suddenly took a small sledge hammer out of his coat and attacked the statue, breaking a number of pieces off of the marble work. A visitor's guide, helped by other viewers, wrestled the hammer away form the man and held him there until help came.

THE CHRISTUS was partially destroyed, and you, as curator, have to decide what to do with the work and whether to press charges against the perpetrator.

Questions:

Do you have the man arrested, or hospitalized?

The work is heavily damaged, do you remove it from the museum and just store it?

Do you try to have it repaired?

If so, should the repairs show?

Should you leave it on exhibit as it now is?

What other alternatives could you choose?