Groundbreaking held for Phase Two of
Fine Arts Building expansion
by Jennifer Conlee, co-associate editor
A groundbreaking ceremony kicked off Phase Two of the
expansion project that will add 12,500 square feet to the
Fine Arts Building at South Plains College.
The ceremony was held March 29 at the
east entrance of the Fine Arts Building.
The ceremony started with opening
remarks by Mike Box, chairman of the SPC Board of Regents.
This projects “marks the first time
that a building project is being supported, in part, by
private funds,” said Box.
Of the $2.7 million that is going
toward the project, $1.1 million was raised through private
grants and gifts.
“We’re very excited about the future of
the Fine Arts Department,” Box concluded.
Dr. Kelvin Sharp, president of SPC,
gave an update on the project. He explained that, because
of record rainfall and freezing weather, Phase One is 45
days behind schedule. He then explained that Phase Two will
add art studios, a new foyer for the SPC Theatre for the
Performing Arts, a recital hall, new restrooms for the
theatre, and a gallery that will house the entire Marjorie
Merriweather Post Art Collection.
Jon Johnson, chairperson of the Fine
Arts Department and professor of music, spoke about the
benefits this project is bringing to the college. He said
the renovated building will allow students and the community
of Levelland to have a more enriched lifestyle, artistically
and aesthetically.
The Helen Jones Foundation is
responsible for part of the funding for the project. James
Arnold, executive director of the Helen Jones Foundation,
said he was delighted that this project is taking place.
“Mrs. Helen Jones would be celebrating
with us today if she were still alive,” said Arnold.
Another donor, Vickie Wilks Wisian, who
is an alumnus of SPC, encouraged others to donate toward the
project.
“What a joy and a privilege it is to be
here today,” said Wisian. “I love this college, and I love
Harley and Anne Bulls.”
The Bulls were the original instructors
in the Fine Arts Department, and Anne Bulls, who was the
first music instructor in 1958, attended the ceremony.
“I’m excited about what they’re doing,”
said Bulls, “and I’m looking forward to seeing it finished.”
The ceremony concluded with the
groundbreaking, when members of the SPC Board of Regents and
other prominent figures from the college donned bright blue
construction hats and took golden shovels in hand to make
the first holes at the front of the building.
A luncheon followed for all the guests
in the Sundown Room in the Student Center.
