Recent Bedford Renovations to Revitalize Longwood Art Program
Issue date: 1/27/10 Section: News
By Russell Himes
Rotunda Reporter
If one were to enter Longwood University's Bedford Hall today, one would find themselves in a dank, dirty lobby. To their right might be a narrow, dimly lit staircase, leading up to a hallway lined with offices and workshops. The shops would clearly show the wear of being used by hundreds of students. Offices are cramped and uncomfortable. The whole building seems to be a varying level of brown. The only classroom one would find is an equally dark auditorium in which art history is taught and university guests come to lecture.
However, whenever one entered Bedford, one would find the halls crowded with both students and professors working on various projects. Paintings, drawings, photographs and other objects of unspecified purpose may be lying in the hallways. Students might be hard at work cutting supplies and crafting jewelry or sculptures. This is the Longwood University art program, and the Capital Planning and Construction Department intends to make it better.
Using state funding, the Longwood Capital Planning and Construction Department is more than tripling the 40-year-old building in size, as well as adding additional classrooms and studio space and giving the building's appearance a drastic makeover. According to the press release put out at the start of construction in November 2009, the new building will be given a face-lift involving a new fountain resembling the CHI waterfall outside of the dining hall, a sculpture garden, and a new sheer glass wall on the east side of the building, which will bring more light into the building while simultaneously allowing students to display their work for the campus to see.
The inside of the building will also be receiving a facelift. Project Inspection Manager Bob Chambers, who is overseeing the construction, said the renovation is not only going to add more square footage to the building, but also "enhance the space that they have now, which will give [the art department] a whole lot more room as far as classrooms. He said the renovation is going to take place in two distinct phases. The first phase, which is occurring now, will include construction of the new sections of Bedford Hall. This addition will include new offices for art department staff, as well as a new auditorium and classrooms. According to Chambers, the additions will be completed in spring 2012, and professors and students can move into the new sections of the building after next year's graduation. The second phase includes the renovation of the old Bedford, where current studio space will be redesigned.
Rotunda Reporter
If one were to enter Longwood University's Bedford Hall today, one would find themselves in a dank, dirty lobby. To their right might be a narrow, dimly lit staircase, leading up to a hallway lined with offices and workshops. The shops would clearly show the wear of being used by hundreds of students. Offices are cramped and uncomfortable. The whole building seems to be a varying level of brown. The only classroom one would find is an equally dark auditorium in which art history is taught and university guests come to lecture.
However, whenever one entered Bedford, one would find the halls crowded with both students and professors working on various projects. Paintings, drawings, photographs and other objects of unspecified purpose may be lying in the hallways. Students might be hard at work cutting supplies and crafting jewelry or sculptures. This is the Longwood University art program, and the Capital Planning and Construction Department intends to make it better.
Using state funding, the Longwood Capital Planning and Construction Department is more than tripling the 40-year-old building in size, as well as adding additional classrooms and studio space and giving the building's appearance a drastic makeover. According to the press release put out at the start of construction in November 2009, the new building will be given a face-lift involving a new fountain resembling the CHI waterfall outside of the dining hall, a sculpture garden, and a new sheer glass wall on the east side of the building, which will bring more light into the building while simultaneously allowing students to display their work for the campus to see.
The inside of the building will also be receiving a facelift. Project Inspection Manager Bob Chambers, who is overseeing the construction, said the renovation is not only going to add more square footage to the building, but also "enhance the space that they have now, which will give [the art department] a whole lot more room as far as classrooms. He said the renovation is going to take place in two distinct phases. The first phase, which is occurring now, will include construction of the new sections of Bedford Hall. This addition will include new offices for art department staff, as well as a new auditorium and classrooms. According to Chambers, the additions will be completed in spring 2012, and professors and students can move into the new sections of the building after next year's graduation. The second phase includes the renovation of the old Bedford, where current studio space will be redesigned.
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