Fine Arts Studio
The planned renovation of the Jesuit Residence marks a heightened commitment to the arts in the Prep community with a significant portion of the fifth floor dedicated to a new Fine Arts suite. This suite will include a sculpture studio, a fine arts studio, and a kiln room. Featuring large windows that mimic the neighboring Gesu Church, the space will provide a welcome source of natural light for students that are drawing, painting and sculpting. The move will also create new space for the Prep’s music program.
Prep Art Teacher Ms. Deb Hilton sees myriad benefits in these plans. “Our new rooms represent a greater focus on the individual,” she says. “Because they are smaller rooms [rather than one large room], it is going to result in smaller class sizes and could allow for expanded faculty in the future.” She also added that the separate rooms would result in a more specialized approach. “Right now, we have students drawing on tables that were being used for pottery a few minutes earlier,” she says. “It can sometimes make for a messy situation that’s less than ideal.”
She also sees advantages outside of the classroom. “Currently, we have no view from our room,” she says. “The future Academic Center offers so many great views of the surrounding region that it’s going to be a very positive influence on our curriculum and a great inspiration to our students’ works.”
