Occupancy of the building is scheduled for the Fall of 2001. After years of occupying leased space in an industrial park, this new facility provides the opportunity to design and build studios, classrooms, multi-purpose shops and exhibition areas that are task specific and state of the art in safety, efficiency and appropriate adjacency. The new building will reflect the nature and needs of the academic and research constituents it is designed to serve. A responsible University Art Program does its best to keep pace with the technical and aesthetic developments in the discipline and must provide an environment that facilitates the sculptural research being done in all categories and media. A modern sculpture studio straddles classifications.
Sculpture is, by definition, about space.
It is the most inclusive of art disciplines, where work can be small or large, be on or off the wall, incorporate 2 and 3-dimensional imagery, might require painting and a projection screen, have speakers and a video monitor. Sculptors need experimental exhibition space in which to test lighting and installation situations, and task specific shop areas that allow for a wide range of different fabrication techniques. The materials used to make the work require delivery and storage facilities. Making the work requires assembly areas. Completed work requires temporary storage.