Barton Community College supporters sometimes call the Shafer Art Gallery the “Gem of the Campus,” and now that gem has a proper setting, with the newly remodeled foyer and lobby in the Fine Arts Building. They also are connected to another campus jewel that had become somewhat tarnished over the decades; the Fine Arts Auditorium is sparkling once again. On Thursday, college officials held an open house for the auditorium, where the bulk of the renovation work was done.
Outside the auditorium and gallery, the display cases in the hallway have dramatic new exhibits featuring programs at the college. Each display includes videos and information.
On the opposite wall, five heat-colored stainless steel sculptures from Bruce Bitter of B&B Metal Arts in Hoisington also pay tribute to fine arts.
Darnell Holopirek, Barton’s director of institutional advancement, told the gathering crowd, “We love our lobby, but wait ‘til you see the auditorium!”
Showing off a sound and light system unlike anything currently available at other Kansas schools, Gary Parr of Parr Sound & Lighting said this also offers state-of the-art technical training for students. “We wanted to implement the best of everything,” Parr said. The new technology is also “green,” because it uses less electricity and generates less heat.
There were performances from the Hilltop Singers, Jazz Band and Dance Team. The theater department was also represented, as two actors from the recently production of “Sweet Charity” reprised a scene.
They didn’t sing, but the event evoked a number from the musical, where Charity sings:
“What a step up! Holy cow!
They’d never believe it ,
If my friends could see me now.”
Barton Community College trustees and Barton Foundation board members joined Great Bend Chamber of Commerce ambassadors for a ribbon cutting. Barton President Dr. Carl Heilman welcomed guests, commenting, “We have another accomplishment here at the college that we’re extremely proud to show off today.”
Mike Johnson, chairman of the trustees, said the arts are an important part of education and important to a thriving community. Judy Fox, chairwoman of the Foundation, added that the fundraising for this project got underway in April of 2011 with the “Dancing with the Barton Stars” event, which raised over $25,000. The Take a Seat campaign followed, allowing groups and individuals to participate with a $125 donation. So far, they have “sold” 255 seats. The foundation has also raised $59,000 for scholarships in the fine arts, she said.
The auditorium renovation also included some funds from the college, and was included in major capital improvement projects for 2012-14. Renovation was $250,000, with another $145,500 for an enhanced sound system and $250,000 for an enhanced lighting system. The European style seating, with no center aisles, was changed, making the auditorium more accessible.
