This spring, people passing by the art gallery in the Welcome Center on SCC’s West Burlington campus witnessed a transformation. Over the course of two weeks, the gallery was completely renovated.
SCC West Burlington Student Activities Coordinator Susan Reid says the project was a long time coming.
Artist and SCC alum Serena Stevens discusses her work during a recent show in SCC’s newly renovated gallery.
“It was a great display space but it needed updating. Some of the lights didn’t work, the walls were in bad shape, and the carpet needed replaced.”
Susan explains that the Student Board keeps a wish list and funds a handful of projects every year according to need and available dollars.
“The suggestion to renovate the gallery made it to the list back in 2008 but we knew that it would take a little time before we could save up enough money to do it.”
In early 2010, members of the SCC Art Collectors Club recommended that the space be renovated. By that time the Student Board had saved enough money to move forward with the project.
So Susan assembled SCC’s Executive Director for Institutional Advancement Becky Rump and West Burlington art instructors Cathy Gordon and John Bybee.
SCC’s Student Board committed $10,000 to the project and grants were secured from the Burlington Area Fine Arts League and the SCC Alumni Association for additional monies.
View photos of artist showings and other events on SCC's flickr page.
The gallery received all-new friendly wall coverings and flooring, new lighting and electrical, and a system for hanging art pieces without the use of nails.
It was ready just in time to host a showing by SCC art student alum Serena Stevens in March.
The team couldn’t be more pleased with the final product.
“It’s now a real nice place to showcase art. It’s bright and airy and welcoming – I love it,” attests Cathy.
Upcoming showings:
June: Tim Kowalczyk - Ceramics
July: Jared Whittenmyer - Drawings
September: John Carlson - Paint
October: Brent Houzenga - Mixed Media
For a complete list of showings, contact John Bybee at jbybee@scciowa.edu or 319-208-5216.
Every month the gallery hosts showings of artwork by students, alumni, local artists and artists with ties to Iowa.
To join the SCC Art Collectors Club or to donate to the permanent art collection, contact Becky Rump at brump@scciowa.edu or 319-208-5065.
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