Students concerned about controversial works of art displayed on campus now have a place to turn.

The university has established an Arts Task Force to assist with the discussion of conflicts concerning artistic pieces shown on campus.

Charles Garoian, professor of art and director of the School of Visual Arts, said he and Sallie McCorkle, associate professor of art, created the committee because they were "constantly pulled into [art] censorship considerations."

Clay Calvert, a member of the task force and co-director of the Pennsylvania Center for the First Amendment, said the goal of the committee is not to be a censorship board. He added that artistic speech should not be restricted, even if some people find it offensive.

"The remedy is not to suppress ideas, but to have a forum to discuss them," Calvert said. "[The committee was formed] to provide a venue where rational debate, discourse and discussion can take place when there is a controversy over a piece of art on campus."

Sean Clark, chairman of Young Americans for Freedom (YAF), said the task force is unnecessary. He said it sounds like the committee is trying to be "politically correct."

"I really don't see a need for it. It seems more bureaucratic than anything," Clark said. "I don't see any real complaints about the art on campus."

In the past, Penn State has experienced controversy over student-produced art. A student who created a 14-photograph display of graffiti in Sept. 1998 had to move his art from the Computer Building to Warnock Commons in North Halls, where it would be less visible.

Another dispute arose from two works of art made by Christine Enedy in January 1997. She created a quilt covered with 25 pairs of women's underwear, each with a cross stitched on it, entitled 25 Years of Virginity: A Self Portrait. She also carved a statue of the Virgin Mary emerging from a bloody vagina that faced opposition from some people on campus and from some national religious groups. The statue was removed from outdoor display.

Enedy said if the task force was available during the controversy, the committee could have helped by arranging communication between her and those who opposed her art.

"Some of the people who were against [my art] never talked about it," Enedy said. "It would have helped if the other people would have sat down and talked ... They weren't even willing."

Garoian said there is no Penn State policy in place that specifies what types of art can be shown. It is up to the person in charge of the facility where the art is housed to decide to move the art when a controversy arises, he added.

Calvert said the committee would provide education on certain issues regarding art to protect student-produced works.

"It's a way of making sure students are not unfairly attacked," he said.

McCorkle said the task force provides a single place for students to turn when they are troubled by a piece of art. She said there is a lot of art displayed around campus and no specific place for concerned students to contact if they need assistance.

Students will have to take initiative to receive help, McCorkle said.

The committee will meet to respond to student concerns, but will not meet on a regular basis.

The art involved will be mostly student-produced work. However, the committee may also be consulted concerning professional presentations on campus.

McCorkle said the committee might even extend its boundaries to assist with classes.

"It could be opened to a larger class format," McCorkle said. "It could have a curricular aspect even though it's not applied directly to classes."

To consult the Arts Task Force, contact Garoian at 865-0444 or at crg2@psu.edu.