Exciting renovations to the Academy Gallery

We just completed a complete renovation to the Academy Gallery which now creates a new space to install art that is more aesthetically pleasing. All new display walls have no interruptions, a higher ceiling, and more vertical space to install larger work. The renovations have changed the gallery from a room that was "converted" to a gallery to a true fine arts gallery with appropriate attractive space.

Addition of temperature and humidity control is essential to providing a space for museum quality work, loans from Virginia Museum of Fine Arts traveling exhibitions is also critical to insuring the proper care of artwork on loan from the artists.

The revealing of architectural details of the original Gas Building which enhance the aesthetic properties of the gallery. These details include the restoration of the maple hardwood floor and the restoration of the tin ceiling.

(3-11-08)

(10-15-07)

The construction of the pottery studio is completed as of today!!, leaving a little more painting to be completed. The gas kiln is expected at the end of June, and we will probably move everything in a couple of weeks. Look for our first classes in early July!!!

(6-7-07)

Construction is well underway on our Pottery Studio and scheduled for completion in early summer. The studio will be housed in the lower level of the 600 Main Street building and accessed from our Commerce Street entrance.

The new structure visible from Commerce is the kiln room which will hold 3 electric kilns and a new gas-fired kiln. The studio will also be used for other visual arts programs at times, such as sculpture classes and children's art classes. We are looking forward to finally have our pottery classes held on campus.

(5-1-07)

The Academy's planned Pottery Studio will offer our children and adult art students the opportunity to learn new skills and experience the unique experience of forming clay into a piece of art. Its unique features will include the only public access gas kiln in the area able to produce the unique glazing effects of reduction firing, as well as complete equipment to support classes in clay forming, bisque firing, glazing, and jewelry making. Students will be able to use it during non-class hours, and it will be handicapped accessible.

This new art studio is to be located adjacent to the Academy's Arts and Education Building, facing commerce street, by renovating a portion of the lowest level of the Academy's Main Street building as shown in the drawing above. Renovating and equipping the pottery studio will cost $300,000, and the Academy is seeking donations to our capital campaign for this purpose. Please join us in creating this new and exciting studio and art classroom!

(5-1-07)

(3-8-07)

Meet Alex Nunnally, plaster artisan. Alex has been busy in the historic Academy of Music building molding the 3 Muses. Because the scale is so large and the plaster so thin in these ornaments, rather than removing it he molds it in place.

(5-11-06)

What is that crane? Yes, there is still some ongoing construction here at the Academy. A grid of heavy steel is being pieced together between the Joy and Lynch Christian Warehouse Theatre and the historic Academy theatre. This will create the foundation and skeleton of the lower third of the Academy’s fly tower. Southern Air is completing some work on the “chillers” such that we will have air-conditioning in time for warmer weather. Our architects have completed the design work on the pottery studio which will be housed in the lower level of the old gas building. The design is going out for bids and we should have prices together in a few short weeks. We hope to begin this work by late spring or early summer such that out fall pottery classes can “come home” to our own campus. Our construction committee and Board of Trustees are reviewing the schematics our architects have recently provided for Phase II. This includes the Academy theatre and adjacent buildings. The Development committee is hard at work identifying the funding needed to begin construction on phase II. We have heard over and over that our community wants to see the beautiful Academy of Music theatre brought back to life, now is the time for you to help us make it happen. Click on “Support Us” to learn more or to make a contribution.