Comments on: Evan Lurie Gallery incites fury, with reason

By: Lion Luv

Lion Luv — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 10:07:14 +0000

Get a life !!!!!….you are not one to talk integrity….

By: Katherine

Katherine — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 04:58:05 +0000

Okay, first of all I know the first thing I should admit is to working with Evan Lurie so I’m sure to most of you looking to discredit him via his name you’ll have ample ammunition to do so based on that fact. That said I am a homegrown Hoosier who spent some years out east in NYC and I can tell you first hand that I have worked with some low-lifes in the business world. Rachael Weiss was apparently involved in a dispute with the LA Gallery – a gallery that Evan neither owns nor operates and for anyone with family we can all recognize that the sins of the siblings do not automatically then become our own. Evan and his wife are amazing people and all you need to do is walk in the front door of the gallery to witness that first hand. They love the art world and you may ask any artist represented by us that no one has ever been cheated, not a single one of our clients has ever gone unhappy and in the two years that he has been open – Evan has created a reputation as being one of those beautiful galleries in the Indianapolis area. Hey, I’ve worked for some real scumbags in my life and this guy, well he just isn’t one of them. He wants to help educate the community as much as he wants to build business as any small owner would do.

You’re right Ms. Weiss – you can never judge a book by its cover – but you seemed to have done just that by painting a rather broad picture of Mr. Evan Lurie based on his DNA and nothing else – To everyone reading this and doubting the legitimacy of the Lurie Gallery in Carmel – please… come in sometime. Come see for yourself what an amazing addition to the mid-western landscape of art the city of Carmel and Evan Lurie can claim. I’m proud to work there and given my absolute belief in being 100% honest – that’s saying a lot.

By: John Dearth

John Dearth — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 04:26:44 +0000

I want to first congratulate Miss Chen on a well written article. I am impressed with her writing skills, and she no doubt has a future in journalism if she chooses to pursue it. I also must say, I had the opportunity to meet Mr. and Mrs. Lurie recently, which led me to take a look at this topic. I found Mr. and Mrs. Lurie to be extremely down to earth, and enjoyable. They were both very passionate about the place the arts have in society. Our society. While the common thread these days, is taxpayer dollars (see $780 million federal bailout) let us not forget, that as Carmel residents, we do pay relatively low property taxes. When we all complete our daily tasks as professionals or students, is it not the arts we find as our outlet to live a fuller, more enjoyable life? I enjoy music, moreso than paintings and sculptures, but culture is a good thing, and I hope to expand my interest level after learning more about this project. Let us not stifle the things that may inspire, or we are all surely relegated to the mundane. Is that not what we all work so hard day in and day out to avoid? Mayor Brainard believed in the project, and it is here, right or wrong. Let’s give it a chance, before we just talk dollars and cents. I feel the arts provide benefits far beyond the bottom line. It is now incumbent upon Mr. and Mrs. Lurie to provide their leadership in this venture, and I wish them well. From my first impression, I believe they will give their all to make it work.

By: Agnes Santha

Agnes Santha — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 04:14:21 +0000

In her last paragraph, Ms. Chen, as a future tax payer hopes the city’s money will promote high education. Why she calls Brainard’s investment in the art department a gamble and the venture “painfully optimistic ?” How much would be too much for her that could be allocated for Art?

Art Education is not confined among the walls of a school building.
While Indianapolis can be proud of the fact, that The Children’s Art Gallery already holds the Guinness world record for being the smallest one, widening the possibilities should not be so painful.
Yes, there is an element of risk with all investments. However, reading the first comment, Jennifer Lurie hints on an interested audience.
The city might break even with this account, and then it’d return many-fold… who knows?
Be brave and have a vision, the money will follow!

By: Agnes Santha

Agnes Santha — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 14:18:42 +0000

My apologies for the confusion, but what do you mean by “imposter”, and what “advantage”… it could be anyone, because the larger concern is not personal.
The point being to have an open mind and recognition of the value of art, and that the very negative title “..Insites Fury.. ” is not helpful to anyone.
I do owe an apology to my friend, the musician Evan Lurie for the mistaken identity, and I thank you for those who called my attention to my mistake.
I do apologize.
My comment was from and for the love of music, appreciation of art in a larger sense.
Let it be, and time will tell.
Peace and not war.
All the best to the venture!
Agnes Santha

By: Berly There

Berly There — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 06:46:10 +0000

I’m all for the A&D District, but let’s be serious— what percentage of the population of Indy drives to Chicago to buy art or to get design ideas…come on…

The A&D is not now and never will be competing with Chicago for anything

By: Ben Middlesore

Ben Middlesore — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 16:11:52 +0000

Jackyn Chen’s article is a great piece of investigative reporting and judging by the inflamed response from this person “AGNES SANTHA”, who claims to know Lurie from the early 80′s(complete falsehood for Lurie is not who she claims), Jaclyn may have uncovered an imposter taking advantage of the people, the city and the Major …..

By: Ben Middlesore

Ben Middlesore — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 19:57:54 +0000

(Agnes Santha) I think you may be confusing Evan Lurie the composer with Evan Lurie the gallery owner. Evan Lurie who owns the gallery is not Evan Lurie the composer. Evan Lurie the gallery owner did some small parts in martial arts movies and married a model/actress who did some tv parts …
Are you sure you know him ?

By: Agnes Santha

Agnes Santha — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 04:40:24 +0000

First of all, Evan Lurie is a classically trained musician: pianist and a composer.
Jaclyn Chen did not even mention this fact in her article, and I think she owes an apology to the artist for that. Knowing the essence of Evan Lurie’s profile puts his venture in a more dignified light.
Investing the $ 1.3 million, which he earned with his hard work, was a noble act.
His dedication as a consultant, to attract other out-of-state gallery owners to move their businesses to the District since 2005, proves that he has taken his investment as a carefully refined effort. Mr. Lurie’s living expenses are covered by his profession as a composer, the consulting fees are compensation for his precious time he has taken away from musicianship to contribute to a higher quality life for the District.
Every day, children listen to his music watching Backyardigans, and that’s the next generation! Evan Lurie takes the visual arts as a source of inspiration for his own music and he wishes to share this invaluable source not only with his contemporaries, but he also wants to provide for generations to come. One can not call his venture in the Visual Arts an “unnecessarily huge investment[s] by taxpayers”, when it is a vital intellectual resource. Instead, Mr. Lurie’s contribution to the community should be applauded, respected and expanded by others, who understand its meaning, even if “the District has not yet achieved the eclectic, artsy vibe it desires”. Ms. Chen’s negative attitude is not helpful.
I have known Evan Lurie personally since the early 80s. He is a genuine, sincere artist and a responsible man, who wishes to convey his hopes for every human being. He is not out there for the money and profits he could gain by his venture, and Ms. Chen should not put him in this light. A little optimism would have done more good for spreading the wings of this project, than her insecurity, skepticism and lack of appreciation. Yes, private contributors are also individuals, just like all taxpayers, let’s not make a monster out of someone, who has the talent and means to contribute on a higher level!
Thank you Mayor Jim Brainard for making this wonderful project possible and building a better future for all!

By: Jennifer Lurie

Jennifer Lurie — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 01:16:16 +0000

I am wondering when you plan to do a follow up on the Evan Lurie Gallery. In the six months since Jaclyn Chen wrote her article on our gallery, I was wondering if you have spoken with your own art department at Carmel high? They have attended many artist lectures in the gallery and the three art walks have been a major success. Does anyone remember that area just four years ago? If only miss Chen understood urban development and the concept of districts. (which have proven their success). Go ask the owner of Art and Soul Gallery who was brave enough to embrace the concept , about his 110%profit growth last year. Come down anytime to interview us about the success of the district which is only set to take off when the new mart building is finished. Why should indianapolis residents spend their money in Chicago for unique design ideas and fine art?

Take Care