COMMISSION ON ARTISTIC
PROPERTY

Chairperson: Odea Bowie

William S. James; Judith Lippman; Ronnie Wain-
wright; William V. Elder III.

Secretary: Dr. Edward C. Papenfuse, State Archi-
vist

Robert Harold McGowan, Curator

Room 105, State House
Annapolis 21404 Telephone: 269-3241

The Commission on Artistic Property, original-
ly appointed by the Governor with the approval
of the Board of Public Works, was created by
Chapter III, Acts of 1969. It consists of four
persons appointed by the Secretary of General
Services with the approval of the Governor to
keep a continuing inventory of valuable paintings
and other decorative arts in all State buildings
in the Annapolis area. The Commission also

provides for the location, proper care, custody,
restoration, display, and preservation of these
paintings and decorative arts. Every person,
agency, or organization desiring to acquire for
the State a painting or other decorative art for
display in a State building or premises in the
Annapolis area must secure from the Commis-
sion both prior approval and final acceptance of
the painting or decorative art, with particular re-
spect to the competence of the artist or creator,
the proposed location, and the quality, historical
significance, and appropriateness of the work.
The Commission is empowered, with the ap-
proval of the Secretary or the Governor, to re-
ceive and accept gifts and loans of paintings and
other decorative arts. With the approval of the
Governor, the Commission may accept gifts of
money from any source, public or private, and
thereafter administer and expend the funds ac-
cording to the conditions and terms of the gift.
The Secretary, with the approval of the Gover-
nor, appoints one of the members to serve as
Chairperson. All of the members serve at the
pleasure of the Secretary (Code 1957, Art. 78A,
sec. 52).