WHO says support for the arts is going down the toilet?

　Toilet paper maker Kimberly-Clark Professional said Tuesday it has sent a year’s supply of its Kleenex Cottonelle tissue to a California gallery that staged an exhibit of hand-painted toilets.

　“We like to support projects that celebrate toilets and toilet paper,” said Jan Gottesman, tissue category manager for Roswell, Georgia-based Kimberly-Clark Professional, a division of Kimberly-Clark.

　The How Original gallery in Laguna Beach launched the “In the Toilet” exhibit in June, and it is currently on display at the Southern California Home and Garden Show in Anaheim.

　“After spending all this time exhibiting these beautiful toilets we thought the gallery would appreciate a care package of high-quality toilet paper,” Gottesman said.

　Gallery owner Loretta Alvarado had no immediate comment on the year’s supply of toilet paper, but was flush with pride about her colorful commode collection.

　“This exhibit was conceived as I was staring at my toilet, which had been placed on my front porch after leaking all over the floor,” she said.

　“As I stared at it, I thought: Why are they not more beautiful? They are made of porcelain and could be painted just like a beautiful ceramic vase.”

　Through a jury process, five area artists were selected to paint brand new toilets. But this was not a case of art for art’s sake, said Alvarado. The completed pieces are still “usable for the originally intended purpose.” (SD-Agencies)