A rally oustside the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, Massachusetts Saturday drew crowds of educators, artists and residents who cheered the news that a controversial art sale has been halted — for now.
In June, the Berkshire Museum announced its New Vision for a top to bottom renovation and the creation of an endowment, which was going to be funded by the sale of 40 artworks, including two by Norman Rockwell, starting November 13th.
At the 11th hour, the state attorney general's office appealed a Berkshire Superior Court decision that green-lit the sale. Lawsuits were by museum members and the three sons of Rockwell.
An appeals court judge approved a one-month injunction, halting Monday's sale at Sotheby's auction house.
Museum attorney Bill Lee told WAMC in a statement Friday: "We are disappointed that the Attorney General has decided to continue legal action that threatens the future of the Berkshire Museum, particularly after a very clear legal decision rejected the arguments the Attorney General repeats in this misguided appeal."
