Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 18, 1990 TAG: 9004180438
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-2 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: southwest bureau
DATELINE: ABINGDON LENGTH: Short
The first part of the renovation at what used to be William King High School will start this summer. The center will be closed from July 1 until the start of 1991 for public viewing of exhibits and programs.
"Classes and other activities, however, will not come to a halt," said Betsy White, center director. "This just gives us the opportunity to develop off-campus programming."
The renovation will allow another 20,000 square feet of the building to be used for exhibitions, educational programs and studio space for regional artists. Gallery space will occupy 1,600 square feet for regional art and exhibits from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and other museums.
Four or five classrooms on the ground floor will be used for educational programs. The main floor will house two museum-standard galleries, a reception room, gift shop and staff offices.
Arts Place, a hands-on museum for children, will eventually be housed on the top level. Renovation of the top floor has been postponed for at least a year because of the state's budget crunch. The board of trustees is considering a temporary home for Arts Place in one of the first-level classrooms.
The arts center began nearly 10 years ago, with space in the former school building gradually being upgraded for it.
by CNB