Brescia University, in partnership with the RiverPark Center, celebrated the ribbon cutting of the Anna Eaton Stout Art Gallery on Friday, September 2nd. The Holbrook Balcony will be the temporary location of the gallery throughout the construction of The Moore Center on Brescia University’s campus where it was previously housed.
The Moore Center renovation is part of a $10 million capital campaign for Brescia University that will also include the construction of a new Signature Building on the corner of Ninth and Frederica.
“We are so grateful to the team at the RiverPark Center for their generosity and willingness to support our artists and our students,” stated Rebecca Hamlin Green, Assistant Professor of Art at Brescia University and Art Gallery Director. “I am thrilled that this partnership came together when it did to serve our needs for a space to continue to show our student and community artwork and also to strengthen the presence of arts in the downtown area. The gallery space will showcase our annual exhibitions and we are also hoping to bring in visiting artists’ works to supplement both Brescia University’s and the RiverPark Center’s arts programming. We hope to continue these types of partnerships to keep the arts alive and thriving in our area.”
The opening exhibit features work from Brescia University alumni and will be on display through October 28th. Works represented include original paintings, drawing, ceramics, stained glass, graphic design, photography and prints. Works are from submitted entries by alumni artists and pieces from the university’s permanent collection.
According to Roxi Witt, Executive Director, “RiverPark Center is proud to partner with Brescia University once again. We host their annual graduation ceremonies and also partner on the joint Bachelor of Theatre Arts program, so hosting the Anna Eaton Stout Art Gallery in our Holbrook Balcony Lobby is a natural extension. RiverPark Center is the community’s building and we are delighted to invite new visitors. In this case, we are pleased to showcase Brescia University student art from the past, as well as current students.”
When the Campus Center, now known as The Moore Center, was initially built, donors had the opportunity to select parts of the building to sponsor. Joint donors, Marilyn Field Young and Nancy Field Wilson, sponsored the art gallery, choosing to name it the Anna Eaton Stout Art Gallery in honor of their grandmother. The sisters continued to sponsor the art gallery throughout their lifetimes and the name has remained an integral part of the gallery, even with its relocation to the RiverPark Center temporarily.
The gallery is open to the public will be open Monday-Friday, 10 am-4pm unless the RiverPark Center is closed for a special event. Upcoming shows include the Annual Juried High School Exhibition, the Brescia Student Juried Exhibition and the Brescia Senior Showcase Exhibition.