Stunning Campus Upgrades Unveiled at SMES: Visual Arts Center, Upper School Renovations and More!
Several campus improvements made their debut this week as the 2017-2018 school year opened.
As students in Elizabeth Cheney’s grade 3 class filed into the new Visual Arts Center on Friday, they couldn’t help but be impressed with the new space dedicated to learning and practicing art.
“I like it up here!” one student exclaimed to Lower School art teacher Mary Mayer-Grubb upon entering her classroom.
St. Margaret’s new Visual Arts Center opened its doors this week to high acclaim. Located on the second floor of the Gateway Building, the center provides a dedicated visual arts space for all kindergarten – grade 12 classes.
“The new Visual Arts Center is phenomenal,” said Jesse Standlea, Upper School arts teacher and head of the visual arts department. “We are so excited for the potential this space offers, from increased cross-divisional collaborations to the specifically designed classrooms for each art form to the adjustable art display spaces for the great work our students do.”
Though some equipment and tools have yet to be installed, visual arts teachers worked hard getting their new classrooms set up before the arrival of students this week. Mrs. Mayer kicked off each class this week showing off some new perks to the Lower School art classroom and answering questions from curious young Tartans about the move.
The Visual Arts Center was one of several campus improvements that made their debut this week as the 2017-2018 school year opened.
St. Margaret’s also completee phase one of a multi-phase remodeling project of the Upper School to include new technologies, classroom environments, furnishings and commons places. Humanities and math classrooms were renovated with new flooring, ceilings and IT infrastructure improvements this summer.
In addition, the student-driver parking lot was reconfigured to dramatically improve traffic and pedestrian safety, flow and access to the lot, and add 43 parking spaces. Other updates included the renovation of Sillers Hall bathrooms, new offices for the IT department and upgrades to the Tartan Center.
The Visual Arts Center was funded by the 2017 Fund A Need at the All-School Fundraiser, as well as through individual leadership donations. The other campus improvement proejcts were funded by depreciation reserves accumulated and planned for over time.
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School
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