New DePauw Art Center Taking Shape

February 12, 1958

February 12, 1958, Greencastle, Ind. - The generous gift of $75,000 by Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Blumberg is making possible a renovation of the old Andrew Carnegie Library, which will become DePauw University's new Art Center. Upon completion this summer, the structure will give DePauw one of the finest campus centers for art and culture in the Midwest. The building was vacated after the opening of the new Roy O. West Library. (architect's rendering at left)

Mr. Blumberg is a 1910 graduate of the University. The gift was made in honor of the Blumberg's parents.

Substantial additional contributions have also been made by Clarence A. Cook '93, Lilly Endowment, Mrs. Gladys Chatt (a DePauw parent), and Edward Gallahue, president of American States Insurance Company.

The first floor of the new Art Center -- formerly the main reading and reference room of the old library -- will be gallery space. The far east end of the main floor (the former library stack area) will be converted into two large studios. One will be used for classes in design and color and the other for painting classes.

Located on the second floor will be lecture rooms and studios. Studios for drawing and commercial art, a print workshop and an individual project room are also planned. Also on the top floor will be a large room to be used for audio-visual instruction.

The basement, also utilized as a stack area by the library, is to be modernized as classrooms for the teaching of such crafts as ceramics, clay, wood-working, metal-working and sculpture. There will also be eight individual darkrooms for the use of photography students.

The opening of the Art Center will be the realization of a long dream for the University and particularly Professor Reid Winsey, chair of the art department, and his staff. Art classes are currently held in what was formerly the Barnaby home on East Washington Street, "the longest trek on campus," says Winsey.

The new Art Center is scheduled to open in September and be dedicated on Old Gold Day.

Read about the 1908 groundbreaking for the Carnegie Library in this previous story.

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