OP ED: "God, be merciful to me an art critic."

"Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.

The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, 'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity--greedy, dishonest, adulterous--or even like this tax collector...

But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, 'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.'

-Luke 18:10-13

Amen, Amen I say to you, the art critic was right behind the tax collector at that temple. I was able to discuss work with the artists from a recent show extensively. I will make it clear: It takes a lot of courage to bare your soul as an exhibiting artist, but it takes no less courage to look a peer in the face and tell them your honest reaction to their work. Let alone publish it for all to see. Let's react to each other with candor, sparring respectfully and grow as professionals. This paper was meant to elicit a reaction. Thanks to those who have one!

-P. Castellanos