Gilliam Center for the Arts Officially Opens
Art, Music, and Theater take center stage in specialized building facing new central campus quadrangle.
The Gilliam Center for the Arts designed by BDA, officially opens at UVA’s College at Wise.
For the first time in the College's history, students will benefit from courses in art, drama and music under the same roof, providing centralized facilities for the Department of Visual and Performing Arts on the site of the original campus theater building.
Chancellor David J. Prior said: “The Gilliam Center for the Arts is the crown jewel of the campus. It is a facility that serves not only the College but the entire region.”
Jeff Dreyfus, partner in charge of the project at BDA said: “We’re very proud of the way this facility is already positively influencing continuing development of the Wise campus. BDA has re-used the good parts of an existing structure, brought definition to a beautiful lake-side green quadrangle, and collected the related artistic disciplines together under one roof. The creative energy of the assembled students and instructors is palpable just by walking through the building.”
For the visual arts, generous studio space and updated technology in the ceramics and paper arts studios is provided. The art gallery provides an elegant exhibition space suitable for professional, juried, and private collection shows.
For music, the facility features rehearsal spaces for a variety of bands and choirs, state-of-the-art digital audio and piano labs, student practice rooms with built-in recording and playback capabilities, and a dedicated one-on-one teaching studio and versatile performance space.
A full-scale theater for both musical and dramatic performances anchors the building program. Instruction in the Dramatic Arts is augmented with exceptionally equipped scenic and costume studios, a rehearsal studio, and a protected courtyard suitable for theatrical events. The theater features state-of-the-art lighting, computer-driven scenic lifts, a large motorized turntable and a digital audio console with editing and playback software.
The facility is designed to inspire and engage the region through a broad range of performances and exhibitions.
For the first time in the College's history, students will benefit from courses in art, drama and music under the same roof, providing centralized facilities for the Department of Visual and Performing Arts on the site of the original campus theater building.
Chancellor David J. Prior said: “The Gilliam Center for the Arts is the crown jewel of the campus. It is a facility that serves not only the College but the entire region.”
Jeff Dreyfus, partner in charge of the project at BDA said: “We’re very proud of the way this facility is already positively influencing continuing development of the Wise campus. BDA has re-used the good parts of an existing structure, brought definition to a beautiful lake-side green quadrangle, and collected the related artistic disciplines together under one roof. The creative energy of the assembled students and instructors is palpable just by walking through the building.”
For the visual arts, generous studio space and updated technology in the ceramics and paper arts studios is provided. The art gallery provides an elegant exhibition space suitable for professional, juried, and private collection shows.
For music, the facility features rehearsal spaces for a variety of bands and choirs, state-of-the-art digital audio and piano labs, student practice rooms with built-in recording and playback capabilities, and a dedicated one-on-one teaching studio and versatile performance space.
A full-scale theater for both musical and dramatic performances anchors the building program. Instruction in the Dramatic Arts is augmented with exceptionally equipped scenic and costume studios, a rehearsal studio, and a protected courtyard suitable for theatrical events. The theater features state-of-the-art lighting, computer-driven scenic lifts, a large motorized turntable and a digital audio console with editing and playback software.
The facility is designed to inspire and engage the region through a broad range of performances and exhibitions.