School of Art Invites Campus to Celebrate Fine Arts Center Grand Reopening on April 16

The University of Arkansas School of Art, housed in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, invites the campus to celebrate the grand reopening of the historic Fine Arts Center on April 16 with a reception from 5-7 p.m. in the lobby and various art activities throughout the day. The opening marks 75 years of the center on campus.

Designed by Arkansas native and U of A alumnus Edward Durell Stone, who also designed the original Museum of Modern Art and the Kennedy Center, the Fine Arts Center has been considered one of the first academic multidisciplinary art buildings. In 1951, it united theatre, dance, music, art and architecture together under one roof.

A $38 million restoration of the building began in 2023 in partnership with architectural firms TenBerke and MBL Architecture. Spaces now include updated and adaptable classrooms, a new teaching gallery, and revitalized performance spaces like the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall.

In addition, a piece by famed artist Alexander Calder from the original building will be installed and on view in the Fine Arts Library leading up and during the April 16 event. Calder is most known for his innovative mobiles which are housed across the globe, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the National Gallery of Art.

Leading up to the reception, campus members can enjoy events like morning yoga on the lawn facilitated by University Recreation, printmaking swag and live portraits that individuals can take home, a loom workshop and more. A complete list is available on HogSync.

The schedule of events includes:

All Day (9 a.m. until 7 p.m.)

• "The First Years" Exhibition — Fine Arts Center Teaching Gallery 

• Creativity + Wellness: Virtual Reality for Emotional Regulation (SoA Technology Empowered Storytelling Lab in partnership with Sam M. Walton College) — Fine Arts Center Lobby 

Various Activities Throughout the Day 

• 9-10 a.m.: Arts + Wellness: Yoga Class — Fine Arts Center Lawn 

• 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Printmaking/Tote Bag Printing — Fine Arts Center Second Floor 

• 11 a.m.-3 p.m.: Tactile Art Demo — Fine Arts Center Lobby 

• 12 p.m.: Free Lunch — Fine Arts Center Lobby 

• 3 p.m.: Loom Workshop — Fine Arts Center Conference Room 115 

• 5-7 p.m.: Grand Reopening Reception (including live portraits for attendees to take home and performances by U of A Music and Theatre) — Fine Arts Center Lobby 

The teaching gallery — located on the main floor — features a "The First Years" exhibition, a collaboration between the School of Art, U of A Libraries, and the U of A Museum, which showcases the original 1950s ticket booth, a chaise longue designed by Stone, and work from former art faculty. The exhibition will run from the reopening celebration through July 10. Aside from the April 16 celebration, the gallery will be open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, or by special appointment. A digital collection accompanies the physical exhibition, available online.

All are welcome to these free events. Parking is encouraged in the Harmon and Stadium Parking Garages. Attendees can also check out the music and theatre departments' spring shows which will be opening shortly after the reception wraps. 

The restoration was made possible by the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation, the University of Arkansas, Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, and collaborations with University Libraries, Special Collections, the University Museum, U of A Department of Music and U of A Department of Theatre. Architects of the restoration were MBL Architecture and TenBerke.