At Long Last, The Center for the Visual Arts
is a Dream Come True

By Colin Fissenden

A Message of Excellence and Commitment to Art

The Ashland art community opened a new era of art history. Southern Oregon University's Art department at last has a home. The splendid new Center for the Visual Arts opened on October 19, 2000 with a huge celebration. It was the work of the whole Ashland community, not just the University, which created the state-of-the-art facilities.

Nearly 300 people came to grand opening night to witness the ceremony and explore the new buildings. Art work from students, alumni, local artists, donations from Ashland art galleries and private collectors provided a wealth of things to look at. John Frohnmeyer, former director of the NEA, was the keynote speaker of the opening ceremony. He declared, "this is a temple of learning, and a gift of which you can be truly proud."

SOU Interim President Sara Hopkins-Powell narrated a history of the development of the CVA project. She gave thanks to the many people who had been involved, and said, "As we dedicate these buildings tonight to you, the larger campus community, remember the dream-weavers." Former SOU President Joseph Cox had foreseen the CVA as an artistic "beacon on the hill" a decade before construction began. His vision for the future was filled with hope: "I think the CVA will dominate the art scene of this community for many years."

The CVA Project-From Conception to Construction

The department of Fine Art at SOU has never been in a centralized locale. The first concept of an Art department building arose at the time when the departments of Music and Theatre Arts received each of their own buildings. The SOU campus grew during the 1970s, 80s and 90s, with the construction of a library, computer lab and business/computer science buildings. The department of Art watched as the state funded other programs. It was in 1986 that SOU received its first home for artists--the Schneider Museum.

"When the Schneider Museum of Art was opened, it was envisioned that the Museum would be part of a whole arts complex," said SOU President Hopkins-Powell. The funding of the Schneider family made the Museum's creation possible. Joseph Cox was president of the University in 1990, and she said that he "realized we were going to have to get private funds to build that complex."

As the years brushed by, much of the planning work was done by the department of Fine Art. The successive chairs of the department kept the idea for the CVA alive though the 1990s. Professor Judith Ginsburg became chair of the department in 1997 and she helped steer the project into commitment.

"My role has been primarily in the fundraising and construction phases," says Ginsburg, "but we worked very closely together as a department." She worked constantly on the project right up until the grand opening, when she spoke in the ceremony.

In the fall of 1998 a group of people were fully committed to the construction of an arts complex with the already notorious title 'CVA'. SOU President Steven Reno, Foundation Director Lisa James, Barbara Allen, Ron Bolstad, and the Co-Chairs of the Foundation, as well as a host of others, all had organized a unique fundraising plan. For every dollar that they could raise, the Oregon Board of Higher Education would match the money in bonds. The highly successful Community Outreach Campaign was launched with the encouragement and enthusiasm of the whole Ashland art community.

Judy Howard, who owns the Hanson Howard Gallery in downtown Ashland, was appointed by Reno to the campaign's board of trustees. "I thought I could bring something to the foundation," she said, "and my part was to build advocacy rather than fundraising." Her work proved very successful, and the Art Auction that she arranged brought a significant sum of money to the Foundation.

Howard has been involved in the University's art scene for many years. "I was involved in choosing the architect for the Schneider," she says. Her efforts were visible at the grand opening. Howard made the connections to bring John Frohnmeyer to speak. She organized local artists to get together to paint the sonotubes, which can be found everywhere. The sonotubes are bright columns that represent the different media in the University's Art program. "The neat thing about that project was that the people said, 'oh thank you for involving us', when it took from so much of their time. They were very happy to be involved," she said, "and that was typical of the whole project."

The Campaign, with the grants from the State, raised enough money for the $11.5 million dollar construction project. The CVA was almost in sight, thanks to the help of the whole community. The big donors and the co-chairs of the SOU Foundation (Sid DeBoer, April Secvik, Bill Thorndike, and Celia Meese) had come together and raised enough money in under two years.

Groundbreaking began in the spring of 1999. Takenaka Construction was given the task of constructing one new building, completely renovating an old one, creating additional space in the Schneider Museum, and building an elaborate courtyard and facade. The project was completed in 16 months, and all the speakers in the grand opening ceremony were pleased with choosing Takenaka.

"Our faculty and students needed a home," said Judith Ginsburg. "CVA gives us an identity. Yet just a place or a building does not make a community. It's how you use that space that creates the community."

The New Facilities

Adjacent to the Schneider Museum of Art, the Marion Ady building stands as an impressive work of industrial ingenuity. The building is named in tribute of the University's first art professor, who was their only resident artist from 1926 until 1940. The front of the building is lined entirely with windows, which afford a view of the artwork on display within.

The Marion Ady building has four art galleries for displaying the work of students, faculty, alumni, regional artists, and private collections. In addition, there are two brand new digital imaging studios, drawing, painting, and film/performance art classrooms. There is a large photography classroom, and in the basement several private studio spaces for advanced art students.

Most Art classes have yet to move in, but by Winter term 2001, the classrooms will be filled and the faculty will be moved into their new offices. Students are quite excited about their opportunities. "I think it's wonderful, and I can't wait to jump right in," said Art major Erin Shuford.

Across the courtyard is the suitably named Art building, the tall brick chimney noticeable from the street. In the central hallway a large fireplace is the tribute to the functional and aesthetic values of the building. Student Rylan Phillips enjoys it because, "it was done cheaply, using fine architectural elements that are cost effective and work visually."

The Art building houses the offices of the department of Fine Art. A 156-seat auditorium is situated next to the main entrance, which will be used for Art History and Art Education classes, receptions, and celebrations. The ceramics studio on the ground floor extends out into a raku-kiln courtyard. There are three galleries to display artwork. The Art building, the Marion Ady and the newly renovated Schneider Museum compose the nexus of a thriving art community on the SOU campus.

The Vision Consummated

"Everybody can take pride in these buildings. They exist because of the vision and hard work of many people." These are the words of Judith Ginsburg, an artist who has contributed so much to the project. "A lot of local artists were asked to participate in the CVA's grand opening, and several donated some of their work for the show," she said. It is the sincere hope of all who were involved that the CVA will turn on a new audience to the Ashland art community.

Note: The Center for the Visual Arts is located on the SOU campus, at the corner of Siskiyou Boulevard and Indiana Street.