Decorative Ceiling Work California State University, Chico's Laxson Auditorium will have fresh paint inside and new ceiling decorations when it re-opens in July. Sixteen new corbels, fiberglass replicas of the originals, were set into place along both sides of the auditorium ceiling last week. The new corbels weigh about 40 pounds, replacing the original plaster corbels that weighed more than 250 pounds.
Painting begins today in the auditorium's interior.
Laxson's lobby, corridors, stairwell and proscenium are major places where painters will be working. While Laxson is closed, some minor repairs are also being performed around the auditorium. Work should be complete by July 10, and Laxson should be ready to re-open July 13. In October 1997, one corbel fell onto the orchestra seating section of the auditorium while it was unoccupied. A structural engineer determined that the remaining corbels should be replaced.