FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 11, 2008
Contact: Joshua Hollis
(662) 329-7119

MUW Fine Arts Building undergoing renovation

COLUMBUS, Miss. – This Halloween will be full of treats for students and faculty of the Art & Design Department at Mississippi University for Women.

October 31 is the target completion date for the renovation work currently underway on the Fine Arts Building, which was severely damaged by the tornado that swept across campus in November 2002.

That tornado damaged 26 buildings on the MUW campus. The Fine Arts Building, originally built in 1961, lost its entire roof structure and suffered extensive moisture damage which led to the removal of all floor, wall and ceiling coverings.

Sam Wise, director of Facilities Management, promised all new plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems in the Fine Arts Building, adding that the new steel frame roof truss system put in place shortly after the tornado would allow the Art & Design Department to take advantage of additional space on the third floor which was previously not usable.

“There will be a total interior renovation of that building,” said Wise.

Patricia Donat, acting dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, said, “We are thrilled to return. . . . With its well-equipped classrooms, studios, gallery, and office spaces, the renovated [Fine Arts Building] will provide the facilities to support the creative work of our faculty and students in an environment designed specifically to support students’ developments as artists and scholars.”

Renovation of the building began in February.