To: The Dallas Morning News
Date: June 26, 2005
Subject: Rich  people should be artists with their money
Result:  not printed

Dear Editor,

Why don't rich people ever want to be artists with their money? I mean, sometimes they would do things, not with the view of how many more millions can they make or what kind of tax breaks can they get, but just because it's cool, and it would be a good and fun thing to do?

One person who comes to mind is Raymond Nasher, famous for his support of the arts, and who used to be the Cultural Ambassador of Dallas. But he's not an artist with his money. Sure, he's got the sculpture exhibit downtown. Just the kind of thing for a good arts benefactor to do.

Another thing he has is his mall, which is by far the best mall in Dallas, but it could be a lot better. It used to have the best bookstore in Dallas, over there by Neiman Marcus, but they couldn't pay Mr. Nasher enough money, so they bit the dust.

They used to have the Melody Shop there, where they sold mostly rock and roll musical instruments. The company went out of business. Why can't Mr. Nasher be an artist with his money and subsidize such a store if necessary, for the betterment of his mall? Although, I myself believe there is a substantial economic opportunity to be had selling modern music and recording equipment.

Something else the mall needs is a cool, down-home kind of art store.

And speaking of something else, they used to have that dance t.v. program there, "Sump'n Else" (sp?), where you could go look in the window and watch while they filmed it.  Now that was cool.

I just hope the new expansion of NorthPark will not be filled with a bunch more clothing, accessories, and makeup stores. Come on, Mr. Nasher, be an artist with your money.

Thank you, John Vehon