Construction continues on Marshall’s new Visual Arts Center downtown

C.R. Neighborgall recently gave us a progress update for the Visual Arts Center:

• Steel and wood reinforcing for the floors is being installed in various locations throughout the building.

• The emergency generator has been delivered and placed in the basement.

• Steel brace frames are being installed at the basement and first floor levels.

• Exterior masonry restoration is nearly complete.

• Work on new fire suppression system water supply at the front of the building continues.

• Some of the front windows have been removed for the installation of a trash chute to be used during construction.

While traffic lanes on 3rd Avenue will be closed intermittently for material deliveries, two-way traffic on 3rd Avenue will be maintained. Neighborgall Construction, the rest of the construction team, and the College of Arts and Media appreciate the wonderful cooperation we have received from all the neighboring businesses.

C O L L E G E O F A R T S A N D M E D I A

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Photo rendering courtesy Edward Tucker Architects, Inc., Huntington.

Marshall University is transforming the old Stone & Thomas building on 3rd Avenue across from Pullman Square into a downtown Visual Arts Center. The center will house studios and classrooms, plus ground-floor retail and gallery space to draw tourists and local shoppers.

Volume 1, Issue No. 3

Fo r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n o n t h e V i s u a l A r t s C e n t e r c a l l ( 3 0 4 ) 6 9 6 - 6 4 3 3

College of Arts and MediaAs of July 1, 2013, the College of Fine Arts and the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications will merge as one college, with the new name: College of Arts and Media. Donald Van Horn, Dean of the College of Fine Arts will become the Dean of the College of Arts and Media. Van Horn said it made sense to combine journalism with the fine arts disciplines in the new college. “When you think about it, the arts are all about communication,” Van Horn said. “In many ways they are all disciplines that work with communications. As we move into the 21st century and as technology continues to evolve, communications takes on new forms and methods of delivery. I think that we all have something that contributes to that. I think by pulling those disciplines together we can develop some very innovative programs that will distinguish Marshall from other schools, that’s what I see when I think of the College of Arts and Media.”

Art students travel to Italy

In May, 16 students traveled to Florence, Italy, with photography professor Danny Kaufmann, as part of the College of Arts and Media’s study abroad initiative, Global Horizons. Since 2009, we have offered students opportunities to enhance their education by participating in learning options away from the Marshall campus. These opportunities represent our commitment to present fine and performing arts students with travel and study abroad options. The program develops vital global awareness in our graduates and positions them to effectively navigate the complex but shrinking world they will inherit as adults. Our priority is to instill appreciation of global awareness in all our students. Travel, particularly on an international scale, develops the capacity to value foreign cultures, promotes broader understanding, and enhances appreciation of different people. These are essential characteristics of world citizenship.

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Art students travel to Italy(continued from side 1)

Kaufmann, who recently won MU’s Pickens-Queen Teaching Award, shared some highlights from the study abroad experience:

What was your favorite part of the trip?Generally, being immersed in Italian culture for three weeks was my favorite part. As an art professor, experiencing works of art from the Renaissance that I had only seen in reproduction was a fantastic experience.

What were some highlights?While we were based in Florence we visited the Duomo of Florence (The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore), Uffizi Gallery

(one of the oldest and most famous art museums of the Western world), Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze (Academy of Fine Arts of Florence), Palazzo Pitti (a Renaissance palace), Palazzo Vecchio (the massive, Romanesque, fortress-palace town hall of Florence), Fiesole and the Alinari Museum – just to name a few.

We had a long day trip to Sienna and San Gimignano by private charter bus. This included a guided tour of Sienna and an amazing dinner on the Tuscan countryside. This trip was funded by the proceeds from the art auction at Black Sheep Burritos & Brews - so thanks to them, and all who participated! We also had day trips to Assisi and Lucca by train. Many students traveled during their free weekend to Rome, Pompeii, Pisa, Verona and Cinque Terre.

What do you think the students learned? Aside from learning and understanding the history of Florence and the Renaissance first hand, I think the students learned the importance of traveling abroad, and they came back with a better understanding of living in a different culture.

Danny Kaufmann (left), photography professor, traveled with art students to Florence, Italy this summer.

Dear Downtown Neighbor: The College of Arts and Media is but a small part of a vibrant creative community—one that promotes the arts and supports the media investing in the citizens of our community. Investment – by VOLUNTEERS; people who choose to be a part of transformation and growth. The College of Arts and Media is fortunate to have a number of committed volunteers who have made it possible for us to grow and to thrive in Huntington and the surrounding community. From the members of our Dean’s Council, the community leaders working toward success in the Campaign for Distinction, individuals serving on search committees, singing with Choral Union, working with the public relations campaigns class, displaying their art in Gallery 842, participating in the MU Symphony Orchestra, on the stage or behind the scenes in our theatrical productions, and in Empty Bowls, ushering for Marshall Artists Series events , helping to create an advisory council for the School of Journalism, to the generous donors voluntarily contributing their personal resources to make a difference in our programs and facilities. . . the list goes on and on.

We depend upon our community partners in countless ways. To all who volunteer with us, we say “thank you.” Our partnerships make us stronger and assure our future.

Cara Bailey and her son Bodhi donated items to our Pack the Backpack fundraiser, which collected items for Cabell County school pantries.