Dale Neese on thu 25 jul 02
After listening to further information concerning the demolition of =
Harding Black's studio and replacing it with a car wash, it comes to =
reality that a campaign to save the studio would be fruitless. It is my =
understanding that the property has since been sold by Harding's family. =
I believe that since the family has no interest in preservation the new =
owner certainly doesn't either. When you know that profit is fueling the =
seeming never ending urban sprawl of most every city the size of San =
Antonio you know that most hope is fading. I know because within 3 =
blocks of the Harding Black property where the new car wash is going to =
be built there is another car wash. What can you say? I look at =
businesses coming and going. One of the larger grocery chains, =
Albertson's was the anchor in a new shopping center built within the =
last 6 years. A month or two ago Albertson's closed it's doors leaving =
the smaller tenants without the customer traffic. A few of them stayed =
but several shops in the huge center stand vacant. But just yards down =
the street construction has started on a new shopping strip center. Buy =
property, improve it some, sell it, turn a small profit, move on.
Probably the only thing to try and save is the memories of Harding in =
his studio they way most of us remember him. Working and smiling, eager =
to show off some of his glaze creations. I know he has touched us all in =
some way.
His building, built in the early 50's was showing wear and would have =
needed some major repairs. The property is located in one of the highest =
property tax areas of the city creating a large tax burden on an owner =
trying to keep it up. I think it is inevitable that we are faced with a =
change that we don't particularly like or understand. There will be a =
time and place for us to honor Harding Black and his contributions to =
the ceramic arena. Perhaps his studio is not the way to do it. We are =
all feeling sad, but we too must move on.
Thanks to everyone who offered their help and concerns.
Dale Neese
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