UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State School of Visual Arts (SoVA) is showcasing a fresh look for the 2024-25 academic year after a years-long effort to improve and modernize the school’s facilities.
For more than 50 years, SoVA has been housed in the Visual Arts Building, constructed in 1971, and the Patterson Building, constructed in 1903 and first inhabited by the University Creamery.
Aside from renovations to the Patterson Building in 1990, the school’s facilities had been largely untouched until 2022 when work began in Patterson on the Melanie L. Buffington Commons, named after the late art education alumna.
Director of the School of Visual Arts Vagner Mendonça-Whitehead said that project was the first on a list of several aimed at modernizing spaces to enhance a quality education in the arts.
“Our mission is to deliver the best educational experience to our students, and provide spaces where creativity, knowledge and community flourish,” Mendonça-Whitehead said.
Supported by financial gifts from Dennis Buffington and Kimberly Schenck (1979 bachelor of fine arts, art), and funding from the College of Arts and Architecture and the Office of Physical Plant, the school was able to carry out projects in both Patterson and the Visual Arts buildings. Smaller-scale updates also have taken place at the Arts Cottage and printmaking facilities in the Theatre Building.
In the Visual Arts Building, the Zoller Gallery and figure painting classroom were renovated with new flooring, lighting, paint and furniture.
Brian Alfred, associate professor of art and area head of drawing and painting, said the updates in the figure painting studio have greatly improved the teaching and learning environment.
“Because of the changes that were made to that room, not only do I see a better, brighter mood, but the learning environment is updated. It’s a cleaner, nicer space,” Alfred said. “These little things go a long way toward improving teaching and the vibe.”
In the Patterson Building, the Melanie L. Buffington Commons is the heart of SoVA, welcoming faculty, staff and students to convene for meetings, symposia and special events.
The updated Patterson Gallery, at the building’s front entrance, is now a proper exhibition space that leads to classrooms and the main office.
The foundations classrooms on the second floor of Patterson are now state-of-the-art studios with the flexibility to accommodate a range of needs for students, while being ADA compliant.
“We now have spaces that reflect the mission of delivering a quality educational experience,” Mendonça-Whitehead said. “The spaces align SoVA with the rest of the University, in terms of the quality of pedagogical studios and extracurricular activities we are able to offer to our students.”