Pity the working artists–painters, sculptors, musicians–who labour for decades to become accomplished at their crafts. [Arts Notes, Nov. 15-22]. They have been forgotten, dismissed in the hullabaloo of Mondo Condo, the homogenized cityscape designed for the well-to-do. Studio space is becoming rarer, and rents higher.

Years ago, the Canada Council was cut to shreds by the Liberals in the name of balancing the budget, and now, with a revenue surplus, the money is not being returned. Instead, the Conservatives are putting money into arms and Afghanistan. Politicians ignore the artists as if what they did was a quaint hobby rather than a passion vital to the culture of Canada. Now there are more starving artists competing for fewer grants. Artists are like exotic birds in an endangered habitat. They need government support at all levels to survive.

> Stewart Brinton / Vancouver