Lost art? Local colleges taking arts center out of town

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Athens State University often hosts art shows in a gallery in Sandridge Student Center. (File photo)

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March 13, 2009

By Karen Middleton The News Courier Fri Mar 13, 2009, 09:02 AM CDT

News of a joint art-education project between Calhoun Community College and Athens State University locating in downtown Decatur has some Athens downtown rejuvenation proponents eyeing such a facility for this city.

If the project comes to fruition, the art education departments of both Athens State and Calhoun would be located in the old Robinson Furniture building on Second Avenue in Decatur, across from the Princess Theatre.

ASU President Dr. Robert Glenn said Thursday he has not given up on his stated intention of establishing a university “presence” on the Athens square, but the offer of a large, multi-story building in Decatur at little cost to the two local schools was too good of an offer not to consider.

“We certainly wouldn’t be opposed to multiple art centers,” Glenn said. “But we need to remember that this is not the first time Athens State has gone outside Limestone County. We have the Redstone Arsenal classes, Hanceville, Rainsville and Phil Campbell. In this particular case, Decatur’s approach early on was to put the offer of a 40,000-square-foot building on the table. They said they could renovate the building and rent it to us or give it to us and we would do the renovations.”

Glenn said it was his “fiduciary responsibility to give it serious consideration.”

He said both schools have expressed desire for fine arts departments, and having an adequate facility could allow for expansion.

“We could start with a fine arts department and build to drama and possibly even to film,” Glenn said.

The Alabama Senate approved the Alabama Film Incentive Bill on Tuesday, which allows incentives to lure movie production companies to the state. The bill goes to Gov. Bob Riley for signature. The Alabama Film Office became a division of the Alabama Tourism Department on Jan. 2.

Glenn said he was not “abandoning Athens.”

“We are actively pursuing a number of buildings on or about the square,” Glenn said. “I would hate people to be angry with Athens State because Decatur took this initiative.”

Glenn said he has discussed with faculty and school officials possibly locating some administrative offices, a bookstore or “one or more” departments downtown.

“That would hinge on what building we could secure,” he said.

Glenn said establishing a fine arts department in Decatur is a good recruitment tool for Athens State.

“One of the things we have to bear in mind is that if we put together such a program we are in competition to draw people from all over the state or from out of state. We are not competitive with our present department on campus,” he said. “This is a real opportunity to expand.”

Tricia Black, who is chairman of the downtown revitalization program, Spirit of Athens, and who was formerly an organizer of Art on the Square, said Athens would like to have the drawing card of a fine arts center, which is sure to benefit downtown Decatur.

“I can honestly say that art can play a vital part in downtown revitalization,” Black said. “If they do move to Decatur, I hope part of the students’ art will be displayed in downtown Athens. I recently saw the Athens State student art and it is fabulous. I really think that Dr. Glenn is open to hearing about possibilities for our downtown. I think he is willing to think outside the box. I would love to see Athens and Athens State work to the next level, whether it’s an art gallery or a business incubator.”

Lisa Milby, vice president of Art on the Square and a newcomer to Athens from Kentucky, said she was “saddened” that the art education program would not locate in downtown Athens.

“Art can bring a unique ambiance and it has been proven that it really grows a community,” she said. “But we are so grateful for Athens State’s sponsorship and support for Art on the Square.”

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Lost art? Local colleges taking arts center out of town

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