Hello all,

I have some eithcal questions for you. 

Approximately 18 months ago the physical plant delivered a work to my gallery while I was away.  They had received a request asking that “a piece of art” be “returned” to the gallery.  The “art” in question (a 2-d papier mache bird connected to a stick "frame" by twine with a "made in Philippines" sticker on it; it is clearly from an import store) does not belong to the gallery, and I cannot find the rightful owner.  I would like to offer it to a local student for their annual auction, but I am not sure if that is, indeed, ethical.  Any thought of what I should do with the piece? 

I also have another query regarding deaccessioning.  Ca. 20 years ago my college was given 3 works by a deceased alumnus artist’s family.  There is no documentation, and the works were never accessioned into the gallery’s collection.  The works were recently “returned” to the gallery, where they were placed a storage hallway (as we do not have available storage space.)  When I found them, I phoned the appropriate administrative offices who said, that the family had given the works to the college to keep or sell and that the then-director (ca. 15-20 years ago) had expressed interest in accessioning the work, so they are considered the gallery’s.  They were exhibited in an alumni show here, but otherwise, I can find no information to change my mind.  I do not feel that we should accession them.  Am I bound by the fact that a previous director expressed an interest in accessioning them?

To make matters worse, we have no board and there is no collections policy or manual.  I am currently drafting the latter now, but I am itching to do something about these works before then.

In fairness to my institution, I would like to reamin anonymous on this post.  I would; however, be more than willing to discuss this with anyone off-list.