My Class is Where?

By Sammi Powers

When the University announced plans last year to move the Art Department, I was none too happy.

The school purchased a church at 104th St. and Spaulding Ave., nearly half a mile from the main campus, and I had already registered for an art class. Of course, this class was right after another class I had, which gave me about 15 minutes, no matter the weather, to get from Warde to what they were calling The Visual Arts Center.

As plans developed, there was the promise of a shuttle and there were always the green bikes (which nobody uses). But I was still hesitant about this new facility.

When we rode the shuttle for the first time to the VAC this fall, my first thought was “This is a disaster.” There were no sidewalks or parking lot. We had to walk under scaffolding to the stairs to get to class, as there was no elevator yet and just a gaping hole where it would be.

Over the weeks, things started to change. The sidewalks and walkways were filled in, the scaffolding came down, the elevator was installed (presumably, I haven’t actually seen it or used it yet), and I finally felt safe walking through the building to get to class.
The VAC was the beautiful space that I saw in the blue prints, in the ideas laid forth. There was the student lounge in the basement, the neat Ikea-esque lights in the new gallery space and very clean, barely used bathrooms (a major plus).

If you haven’t gotten the chance to see the VAC you can wander over, the professors are always glad to show off their new space and all their new toys.

Or, you can head over on at 7 p.m. on Wednseday, Nov. 18 for the meeting about the 50th Anniversary Edition of Opus the University’s Art and Literary magazine.

Since it is Opus’ 50th year, submissions are open to current students, faculty, and staff as well as alumni. For more information on getting your work published, show up for the meeting.

Sammi Powers is a junior communications major from Romeoville. She is Peer Minister for Liturgical Ministry, deputy Viewpoints editor for The Xavierite and program director for WXAV 88.3 FM. Consideration for the student bloggers is provided by Saint Xavier University.