Art students may lose workspace to new faculty offices
March 11, 2009
Students say space is vital to program
Printmaking students might have to scramble for new places to work on their art pieces next semester.
A proposed scenario would cause the loss of the School of Art’s printmaking workspace in Van Deusen Hall. The space would then be used for College of Technology faculty offices.
Terri Christensen, assistant to the provost for special projects, said no final decisions have been made.
“We don’t want the (art students) to be empty-handed,” she said. “We are trying to find alternate solutions.”
Christensen added that the dilemma is four College of Technology faculty members would be without offices next semester.
Christine Havice, director of the School of Art, said art students value the space in Van Deusen.
“The rooms in Van Deusen work very well for our printmaking students,” she said.
Amanda Meeker, senior fine arts major, said the loss of the lab space would hinder her work.
“I lose my space to store supplies and work while other students are in class,” she said. “The storage is essential as printmakers need a lot of equipment.”
Meeker said losing her work space in Van Deusen could interrupt the completion of her final project toward her fine arts degree.
“The space is especially helpful as I will be starting my senior project in the fall, which is an independent body of several pieces of work developed (over) the culmination of four years of art school,” she said.
Cameron Lyden, junior fine arts major, said the space is vital to success in the program.
“The decision to give away our studio space to the (College of Technology) is more than just an inconvenience or a hassle. It’s all we have, ” Lyden said. “What a lot of people might not understand about the art program is that we rely on the ability to have studio spaces as upperclassmen; we need it. Our success in the program is directly dependent on it.”
The School of Art has classroom and lab space loosely spread across campus.
“(The School of Art) is very tight on space,” Havice said. “We are already spread out over six buildings, and we don’t have a lot of other options.”
Meeker said printmaking students appreciate the value of having their own spaces in Van Deusen.
“The (art students) are the ones there all hours of the night and on weekends; they are the ones who make Van Deusen Hall their home,” she said. “Art students are in class all day just like other students, the difference is that art students get dinner and come back to the studio for work at night and on the weekends.”
Christensen said if the decision becomes final, the switch will occur during the summer.
