We all associate the local university with different things- the football team, the Lawn, the legacy of Southern tradition. But how about adding to that… THE SPOT to make and show art? I read on UVaToday that the Art department has moved into brand-new digs on Culbreath Rd and all programs are now together under one roof. Jane Ford, a senior news officer at UVa tells us that upon entrance in the new Ruffin Hall, “It is immediately evident that the making and displaying of art is serious business at the University of Virginia.”
The new building is all stately brick outside with copper roofs, and a roomy 42,000 square feet modern interior containing a impressive central staircase open to all three floors and lots of sculptural metal, skylights and floor-to-ceiling windows. There are offices, studio spaces for every single program, darkrooms, workshops, galleries, exhibition space for visiting artists, and even a performance space. They even have a studio for painting with such high walls, it’s possible to create an 18 feet tall work!
This new building apparently has tons of space for students to exhibit as well, so you won’t see people crammed into the one-room “Off-Grounds Gallery” on the corner of 5th/Ridge St anymore while you’re sitting at the light. The other exhibit space for Fourth-years on the top floor of the Studio Art building is now empty as well and has been snatched up by local artist Monty Montgomery for his own personal gallery space.
UVa art students are extremely fortunate to have this new building, deemed a “village of the arts” and will hopefully be enriched by their study there and will be enabled to produce some incredible work. I am so jealous! My art department in college was two dark subterranean floors in this 1970’s behemoth on a hillside and the programs were limited. We had to go to neighboring colleges if we dared to take non-drawing/painting classes such as graphic design or sculpting. I wish I’d gone to UVa, circa right now. This new Art department can be seen as a draw for prospective students serious about an art education and will definitely help to enrich the local arts community as well. I hope they’ll have First Fridays get-togethers there so we non-students can have a peek.
Check out a slideshow showing the inside of the new building on UVaToday
A Dedication ceremony will be held Oct. 2, 2008 at 12:30 pm.
[Photo of Ruffin Hall by Jane Haley]
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Tagged as: Art, art department, Gallery, ruffin hall, uva
I’m glad the construction around that area is almost over. The new renovated buildings at UVa are pretty awesome. Technology and all… Everyone should tour at least once.
Impressive digs. But I’m disappointed UVa closed down the Off-Grounds Gallery. There is no better experience for a young artist than to exhibit their work in the public domain and not just the friendly confines of an on-campus venue.
This is exciting. UVa has needed to help out the Art Department for a long time. I’m glad the project is finally done. I agree about Off-Grounds though. Are they really not going to use it anymore? Exciting to hear about Monty’s space though.
@2: There are tons of coffeehouses, restaurants, and other places that will show artists’ works around town. Could the department possibly organize the opportunity for the students to show at one of these venues?
Hopefully this also means they will be expanding their course offerings to allow students to specialize to a better degree. I have spoken with recent photo grads who graduated with a degree in Studio Art, specializing in photography - and had only taken three photo classes - one being senior seminar! One can only think that this would allow more classes throughout the major, taken at all levels, to those seeking a similar degree.
@4 That would be entirely up to the art department to develop relationships with the various coffeehouses. But I am certain that will never happen.
great they got a building, too bad its ugly! Just up the hill, less the 100 yards from the new art building is a nationally ranked Architecture school, hmm wonder what they think about it. Oh by the way the two new additions to the school of Architecture which have just been finished are examples of real architecture.
What about Monty’s space???