A bittersweet farewell to the Reynolds Building
B.F.A. senior Morgan Shipps works on a project in the Reynolds building in Lexington, Ky., on Tuesday, September 17, 2013. Photo by Emily Wuetcher
September 18, 2013
Finally, art students will have a better, newer facility to work in.
The Reynolds Building, a 79-year-old facility that houses the School of Art and Visual Studies, will finally close its doors in the coming years as the program will move to the University Lofts, once it is renovated.
However, it is bittersweet.
On one hand, the freedom that building provides is unparalleled. An artistic expression and bohemian lifestyle practically ooze from its foundation. The fire that lit our grandparents and parents artwork was sparked inside those walls.
On the other hand, it’s old. The walls our grandparents painted in are crumbling. Students are sweating not only from their hard work, but also from broken air conditioning and poor ventilation. The Reynolds Building may have served to spark our grandparent’s flame in the ‘60s, but any fire students may try to set today would be squandered as classes and studios are often cut short or canceled due to the buildings condition.
Even if renovations were a possibility, they would ruin the fun parts of the building, such as its “customizableness,” where students can paint the walls for an art piece.
Leaving a place with so many memories may be scary at first for art students, but home is what you make it. Though we don’t yet know what will happen to the Reynolds Building, the Kernel is confident that art students will make their new home just as comfy as the old.
