Ribbon cutting ceremony marks the opening of Albany State's Fine Arts Center
Public officials, and ASU administrators, faculty, staff, and students
cut the ribbon at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the ASU Fine Arts Center.
ALBANY – Albany State University (ASU) officially opened the new Fine Arts Center, Tuesday,
Nov. 14, with lively performances, a tour and two dedications to former ASU professors.
“This advance facility is one to be admired, and we are excited to officially open
it to the community,” said ASU President Art Dunning. "The new building supports the
University’s commitment to providing a world class education by providing the type
of resources that will give students the competitive edge needed to succeed in creative
industries. We appreciate our local and state officials who’ve helped to ensure that
this building was finally constructed.”
The 80,000 square-foot facility is located on the upper campus, between the Billy
C. Black Building and Residence Hall 5. The structure has a $25.1 million estimated
total cost and opened fall 2017. The department of visual and performing arts and
the department of English, modern languages and mass communication are housed in the
facility.
“Many individuals have supported, guided and worked tirelessly from the very beginning,
and today, all the years of dreaming and imagination became a reality,” said Rani
George, dean of the College of Arts and Humanities.
“This state-of-the-art learning facility provides students with an undeniable opportunity
to learn, grow and successfully tackle everyday curriculum, said LaDiamond Lett, a
senior ASU student majoring in theatre. “Each room was skillfully designed to fit
the needs of each and every major and educator.”
The structure features multi-purpose instructional spaces, a band room, instrumental
and choral rehearsal spaces, art studios, an art gallery and a “black box” theater.
The ribbon cutting ceremony also included the dedication of the Arthur R. Berry Art
Gallery and the Leroy E. Bynum, Jr. Recital Hall.
Berry, ASU professor emeritus, founded the ASU art department and served as chair
for 21 years. He later directed the Albany Ritz Cultural Center. Berry passed away
in 2015 and is remembered nationally, regionally and locally as an acclaimed artist.
Berry designed the “Soil to Sun” statue adjacent to the Fine Arts Center.
Bynum is a former faculty member and administrator at ASU, having served 22 years
as professor of voice and opera, 10 years as chair of fine arts and 8 years as dean
of the College of Arts and Humanities. Under his leadership, the plans for the design
and building of the new Fine Arts Center began. Bynum currently performs as an opera
tenor for Portland Opera Company, while also serving as dean of arts at Portland State
University in Portland, Oregon.
“I can’t wait to show what this building has to offer to our students, to our faculty,
to our community, and to Southwest Georgia,” said Marcia Hood, chair of the department
of Visual and Performing Arts.
Designed to achieve maximum space and utility, the building incorporates professional
offices, 12 classrooms for English and general instruction and eight studio art classrooms.
Twelve music studios, a music education classroom with an observation booth and two
music labs are also included.
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