The words “anxiety” and “anticipation” cannot fully describe the excitement of the Lamar Dodd School of Art’s administration. What began as an expansion project in 1989 is finally near completion.

“It’s so exciting to be in a building that brings together so many programs,” Georgia Strange, director of the School of Visual Arts, said. “It brings together 10 of our 14 programs into one building.”

The new visual arts building is located in the Visual and Performing Arts Complex on River Road adjacent to the Hugh Hodgson School of Music and the Georgia Museum of Art. Two years of construction produced the 167,000 square foot facility.

Four programs – ceramics, sculpture, interior design and jewelry and metals – will remain in the Jackson Street location due to state budget constraints.

The original plans were scaled back by 32,000 square feet. The four-story building holds areas for lecture halls, galleries and other traditional facilities. Menefee and Winer Architects constructed a state-of-the-art facility using Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certified techniques. Although the building itself has not received LEED certification, steps were taken with environmental standards in mind.

“It’s about being wise about the way we use our resources,” Strange said.

The fourth floor stairwell leads to a green roof that features various plant life. In addition, the green in 2004. About $39 million of the state’s funds were dedicated to creating a comprehensive environment for students in the visual arts department.

Previously, seven separate facilities across campus housed art classes and studios. Students and faculty were spread across the campus in search of open areas due to limited space in the main building. The immense growth of the school was not foreseen, Strange said.

“The school on Jackson Street was built for one-third the current size of our student body,” Strange said.

The official dedication will be conducted by University President Michael Adams on Sept. 4 at 2 p.m.

With a new contemporary space, the Lamar Dodd School of Art administration presents a positive outlook for faculty, students and staff for the year.

“[This building] has a more reflective space,” Strange said. “It seems like a great place for the start of the fall semester.”