New home sought for Quinn’s artworks

Kim Smith

Friday, Oct. 8, 1999 | 10:03 a.m.

One day after learning the Las Vegas Performing Arts Center had canceled its Anthony Quinn benefit art exhibit, a company that represents the actor is scrambling to find a new show venue.

"This show will go on. There's just too much of a public demand," ARTV president Audrey Roberts said. "People are pouring in from all over the country to see this exhibit."

Seventy years of Quinn's artworks were scheduled to be presented at a champagne reception Oct. 21 and at a 10-day exhibit at the Tradewinds Ballroom at Mandalay Bay. The $100 admission price for the reception and proceeds from any sales were supposed to go to the Las Vegas Performing Arts Center, a nonprofit group attempting to build a performing arts center.

However, Donald Kemp, performing arts center president, said the board decided to cancel the event after reports that two of Quinn's employees were convicted in 1990 on federal fraud charges.

William Mett and Marvin Wiseman were convicted of selling more than $3.5 million of fake lithographs, most of which were supposed to be the work of Salvador Dali, said Leslie E. Osborne Jr., an assistant U.S. attorney in Hawaii.

Quinn wrote a letter of support for the men after their convictions were reported earlier this week, but Kemp said the damage had already been done.

"The board didn't want any possibility of the show being tainted with problems," Kemp said. "The bad publicity overwhelmed everybody."

The event was expected to raise about $50,000 for the center, Kemp said.

"We're disappointed, but we just feel it's best for the organization if we do this," Kemp said.

Roberts said the situation is unfortunate, especially for those who would have benefited from the event.

"I'm a veteran in this business so I'm not crushed, but I am disappointed this happened because of someone's smear campaign," Roberts said. "Somebody has a vendetta locally and didn't want anyone to see this event."

Roberts said she doesn't have any idea who alerted the media about the convictions.

Those who have already purchased tickets for the performing arts center event will be reimbursed, Kemp said.