Posted by Mary Robertson, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Jun 21, 2007 at 1:15 pm

I love the art that has been hung at the Danville Starbucks, Railroad Ave. The art gives a very cozey feeling to the store. What I find offensive is a woman who would complain about the cigarette in the picture, then not give her name...very cowardly. Perhaps she should not frequent that particular Starbucks and allow the rest of us who appreciate art to enjoy. Christopher is an extremely talented artist and should be allowed to share his passion and love of art with our community.

Posted by starman1111, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Jun 21, 2007 at 2:57 pm

They should have taken down that 'handsome old guy' painting, (it's encouraging kids to get old), and left the 'cute young blonde' painting up. Here's how you can tell if something is art. Hang it up. Take it down. If no one notices, it wasn't art. If you take it down and they start a petition, it was art. If you leave it up, and they start a petition to take it down, it's either a masterpiece or really, really awful! Good to see that people in Danville have a soul. (I'm the old guy in the painting). Chris is a great Starbucks barista and an even better artist!

Posted by Fred Turner, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Jun 21, 2007 at 3:24 pm

This would be pretty funny if it weren't so sad. A series of over-reactions results in a less display space for art. Unfortunately, this is a pattern that has repeated over-and-over. One minor incident or complaint and public resources disappear. It's easier and safer to shut things down than to find solutions. The net result is that our community is diminished, bit by bit.

Posted by liquid_tc, a resident of another community, on Jun 26, 2007 at 12:36 pm

i grew up in danville and this is exactly the small mind mentality that caused me to move away. i suppose if the subject matter had a fake tan, fake boobs (showing in low cut ensemble), gucci bag and bmw no one would have complained.

whoever it was that complained needs to get a life and realize that a painting of someone smoking will not encourage smoking. It will be peers and family attitudes that encourage or discourage picking up the stick.

Posted by liquid_tc, a resident of another community, on Jun 26, 2007 at 12:36 pm

i grew up in danville and this is exactly the small mind mentality that caused me to move away. i suppose if the subject matter had a fake tan, fake boobs (showing in low cut ensemble), gucci bag and bmw no one would have complained.

whoever it was that complained needs to get a life and realize that a painting of someone smoking will not encourage smoking. It will be peers and family attitudes that encourage or discourage picking up the stick.

Posted by Natalie O’Neill, Danville Weekly reporter, on Jun 27, 2007 at 10:42 am
Natalie O’Neill is a member (registered user) of Danville Express

Thanks so much for your feedback and opinions. We really love to hear what you think about issues around town. I have to note one correction to the first comment, though. The woman with complaints about the painting did give her name, but Starbucks management refused to release it. If she or anybody with additions to the story or follow-up ideas wants to reach me, please do! Send me an e-mail at noneill@danvilleweekly.com.