School of Art Opens Studio and Design Center in Windgate Art and Design District

The School of Art in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences has officially opened the doors of the new Studio and Design Center in the Windgate Art and Design District located in the heart of south Fayetteville.

The center and district have come to life thanks to the Windgate Charitable Support Foundation. In 2017, the School of Art received a transformational $40 million gift from the foundation that created the Windgate Art and Design District, and an additional $30 million partial challenge grant to expand and complete the district in 2021.

The 154,000-square-foot-state-of-the-art Studio and Design Center opened and began hosting classes at the start of the spring semester. The center houses the studio art program areas in ceramics, drawing, painting, photography, printmaking and their M.F.A. and B.F.A. studios, as well as the graphic design program and their new graduate M.Des. degree.

“It is a beautiful facility, and it is becoming home as students fill the halls, sounds of art making and discussion echo from floor to floor and friends and colleagues from the community stop by for a visit and a cup of coffee,” said Marty Maxwell Lane, director of the School of Art. “The creative vibrant hub we hoped and planned for is becoming a reality.”

The Studio and Design Center lobby and Artsaga’s Café is open to the public Monday through Thursday between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Artsaga’s Café is a collaboration between the School of Art and Arsaga’s using it as a site for creative exploration and entrepreneurship.

Every year, classes will collaborate to design and create items for the café. Customers will be able to see the School of Art students at work through ceramic plates and mugs; designed menus and collateral; curated artwork from printmaking, photography, drawing, painting and sculpture areas; or even 3D designed objects such as seating and lighting.

“The opening of Artsaga’s at the Studio and Design Center marks an important beginning for the School of Art, providing a dynamic new site for faculty, staff and students to engage in innovative and interdisciplinary teaching, research and creative collaboration,” said Christopher Schulte, assistant director of the School of Art and endowed associate professor of art education.

This Friday, Feb. 17, the public is invited to the RSO Association of Ceramic Enthusiasts bowl sale from 5-8 p.m. Guests will be able to purchase a handmade bowl for $30 that comes with a serving of soup from Arsaga’s. The RSO will also have a variety of ceramic wares available to purchase.

The campus and community are also invited to save the date for the grand opening celebration scheduled for Saturday, May 6.

The day will host an opportunity to tour the building, experience art from areas across the school, meet students and faculty and celebrate the district bringing together art, design and education.

For more information about the Studio and Design Center or the School of Art, please visit art.uark.edu.

This story also appeared in the University of Arkansas News publication.