2008 Woodie Awards
Vandalism prompts changes in access hours
Students' hours reduced in Fine Arts Building
Morgan Feddes, Copy ChiefA vandalism incident in the Fine Arts Building late Nov. 11 or early Nov. 12 spurred a change in student access hours to the building.
Art from the hallways was removed and placed in the Koehler Gallery, security supervisor LeRoy Fantasia said in an e-mail.
There did not appear to be any damage to the artwork, Fantasia said.
Associate professor of art and chair of the art department Gordon Wilson said the art department requested that security change student access hours to the building.
Wilson said the department's main concern is for the safety of the art in the Koehler Gallery.
"Many times, the art in the gallery is worth a lot of money," Wilson said. "Any damage done to the art would be a strong negative on our department."
The gallery currently houses an exhibit titled "Black Orpheus," featuring a series of sculptures by visiting artist Ruben Trejo, according to a Whitworth press release.
The value of the exhibit, which contains 19 different sculptures, is estimated to be approximately $11,000.
Wilson said students used to have 24-hour access to the building, but that access has now been reduced to protect the art.
Wilson also said the all-day access for students is unusual compared to other area schools.
Gonzaga University has a building that houses both a museum and classrooms, but the classrooms are kept separate from the museum, Wilson said.
"The students can come into the classrooms to work with their key cards, but they can't access the museum after hours," Wilson said.
The new hours for Whitworth's Fine Arts Building are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to midnight and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., according to a Nov. 12 e-mail Wilson sent to art majors.
"We are trying not to make a big deal of it, but we needed to take some sort of action to protect the art in the gallery," Wilson said.
Wilson said the gallery lock has been changed, although it is unknown if the person used a master key to enter the gallery.
"The only people who are supposed to have master keys are full-time faculty, one staff member and the security and janitorial services," Wilson said.
Wilson said the master keys will no longer open the gallery.
The change in student access hours is inconvenient for students, sophomore Giselle Stone said.
"A lot of students have very busy schedules and as an RA, I find it more convenient to be here late to work on a project," Stone said.
Freshman Madeline West said art students typically need large blocks of time in order to finish their project.
"It's easiest in the evenings," West said. "I've been here until five in the morning before [working on a project]."
Wilson said the department is well aware of student concerns.
"There are a number of students who work late on projects," Wilson said. "Several have approached me and other faculty members with concerns that they won't be able to complete their projects on time."
Wilson said the access change is currently indefinite and that he does not know when the new hours of access will be changed.
"We would have to make the decision as a department," Wilson said.
Contact Morgan Feddes at morgan.feddes@whitworthian.com.
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