Fine Arts students and faculty are settling nicely into their new home, the Connors Family Fine Arts Center and Resinski Blackbox Theatre.
The 15,000-square-foot building – one that includes an art studio, band room, green room, costume shop and dressing rooms – opened in the spring of 2024.
Since then, the department has conducted fine art classes, performances, exhibitions and various other events at the facility.
“We want to be a destination for students who are interested in the arts,” said Fine Arts Assistant Professor Jess Campbell. “We want to offer high-quality arts experiences.”
Campbell teaches visual arts courses, including Drawing and Painting classes, in the building’s Art Studio. She also hosts painting events for community members in the new space.
“We are very fortunate to have a dedicated space, and we serve every student who comes through here,” said Campbell.
Fine Arts Assistant Professor Jim Donovan is also appreciative of the opportunities that the facility provides to SFU students and faculty. He teaches music courses.
“The space is a statement that the arts are a valued part of the University experience,” said Donovan. “On a practical level, the student experience is greatly enhanced by having an established place to practice instruments, paint and improvise.”
Students are also appreciative of the new building.
“I believe the new studio gives much more flexibility and convenience when working on art projects,” said student Joel Godissart.
“One detail that makes my life much easier is the addition of the pull-down outlets, which allow for my devices to charge while I work.”
Belle Stover is a member of the SFU Marching Band and is thankful for the practice space provided to this group at the Fine Arts Center.
“It has changed how practice is run ten-fold,” said Stover. “The closeness of the practice room to DeGol Field is convenient. The trek from the field to JFK was terrible, and the Boiler House was so far away.”
Theatre student Matt Harris said his favorite space in the new building is the Green Room.
“It’s the place actors go when they are not on stage for performances,” said Harris. “On the wall, there is a monitor that shows when the performance goes live, so the actors know when they need to be back on stage.”
Campbell recently assumed adviser responsibilities for a new SFU club named “Students In The Arts (SITA).”
“I wanted to have a club that is inclusive for our Fine Arts students,” said Cambell. “We have music, voice, theatre and visual arts, so making a group where every student who is involved can join is the goal.”
Students are excited about the future possibilities that the facility affords.
“An event where students could come and follow a guided painting session to try out painting would be beneficial for students,” said Godissart. “They might possibly sign up for a class in future semesters.”
“I think a movie or game night in the Blackbox Theatre would be absolute perfection,” said Stover.
