Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE- The approximately $2.4 million state funded renovation of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville's Art Building is progressing well, according to Dan Fairchild, department of fine arts chair.

The facility, being renovated by Daniel's Construction of Sioux Falls, is scheduled to be completed by the start of classes on Sept. 4. New duct work and much of the new wiring has been installed as well as new walls and a corridor in the lower level to separate classrooms.

"It's a great thing. The gentlemen are really working hard and the contractor is really digging in. They're committed to getting it done," said Fairchild.

The renovated facility will have more classrooms and offices, most being air-conditioned. New display areas on the upper and lower levels will allow other students and staff to view student work. Other features of the renovation include new lighting fixtures, ventilation systems, heating and cooling systems, flooring, and re-numbering of the rooms. New windows and doors were installed last summer as part of the renovation.

The majority of the renovation has been state funded. Other items, such as new classroom furniture has come from university funds. "UWP has been so kind to find us money for new classroom furniture. There has been a great effort from the administration," said Fairchild.

To complement the new building and furniture, updated equipment, which has come from donations and department funds, has been added. Over the past year, the department has obtained three new kilns, a raku kiln and 18 pottery wheels. The sculpture area has been expanding as well, with the addition of a plasma cutter and two wire-fed welders thanks to a collaboration between Miller Electric of Appleton and UWP. The graphic arts lab is also being updated with funding from the UWP Office of Information Technology (OIT). Those funds will come from the student technology fee portion of OIT's budget, which is targeted to help upgrade computer labs across campus.

"We try to do our best so students have the latest in technology so that when they graduate, they are prepared and can use the technology in their career," said John Krogman, associate vice-chancellor for Information Services.

The department is continuing to look for donations to further expand the opportunities for the increasing number of art students. It is seeking woodworking, stone sculpting and metal working equipment and would like to build an outdoor kiln yard.

"It's been a two-fold approach. In the last years we've expanded our staff and gotten some wonderful, interesting people and great artists. Now we have the new building … we've come full circle," stated Fairchild.

Anyone wanting more information about the renovation of the Art Building may contact Fairchild at (608) 342-1123 or fairchig@uwplatt.edu.

Contact: Dan Fairchild, department of fine arts chair, (608) 342-1123, fairchig@uwplatt.edu

Prepared by: Krystle Kurdi, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, kurdik@uwplatt.edu