Members of the Wexner Center for the Arts union are advocating for a name change of the institution, citing Leslie Wexner's connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In a formal letter addressed to the leadership of Ohio State University, the union has requested the removal of the Wexner name from the center's facade.
Wexner Workers United shared their demands on social media, emphasizing the need for the university to act in light of the troubling associations linked to Wexner. The letter highlights the significant presence of Wexner's name in the Department of Justice's Epstein files, which detail Epstein's extensive criminal activities.
The union's communication states, "As a contemporary arts center showcasing and commissioning the work of our present time, we are inherently entwined with the relevant and urgent events of today." They argue that Wexner's affiliation with Epstein conflicts with the university's standards for maintaining integrity and inclusiveness, as outlined in their policy on building name changes.
Furthermore, the letter points out that the Wexner name has led to harassment of staff members, including many students, and has deterred artists from collaborating with the center due to its association with Epstein. The letter asserts, "Our community members deserve to engage with art without feeling complicit in supporting human traffickers, rapists, and pedophiles."
Recent trends in the art world show a growing willingness to rename institutions linked to controversial figures. Notably, the Louvre Museum removed the Sackler name from its galleries due to the family's involvement in the opioid crisis, followed by similar actions from the Metropolitan Museum of Art and other prominent institutions.
Leslie Wexner, founder of Bath & Body Works and an influential art collector, has faced renewed scrutiny following the release of court documents related to Epstein's civil lawsuit. These documents have implicated numerous prominent individuals in Epstein's sex-trafficking operations.
Although Wexner has denied any wrongdoing or awareness of Epstein's illegal activities, his relationship with Epstein has been under public examination for years. A 2002 article in New York Magazine described their association as a "weird relationship."
The union's letter concludes by asserting that retaining Wexner's name does a disservice to the artists and the community. They emphasize the need for a name change to reflect the values of the center and to foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for all.
