For the first time in over half a century, the Knox College art department will have its own space separate from the school’s theater and music programs.
The 30,000 square foot, two floor Whitcomb Art Building had its ceremonial groundbreaking this afternoon near the corner of Prairie and South streets.
Talking over the wind, Knox College President Teresa Amott led the ceremony with a speech honoring the downtown area and its roots in creation.
“It’s an interesting location for this,” Amott said, motioning toward the old buildings in the area. “Some of you know we used to have Alexander Lumber over there. Behind that, we have Aluminum Castings. We have warehouses in this area. This is a place where people made things and continue to make things. So it’s a fitting place for us to honor the history of Galesburg, the history of the making of things by being here today.”
The planned art building is named after Knox alums Dick and Joan Whitcomb who made a $5 million cash gift to Knox, paying for a large portion of the facility’s $8.6 million price tag.
The building is expected to open as early as fall 2016.
Amott was joined in the groundbreaking by Knox College Board of Trustees Chair Richard Ridell, Art Department Associate Professor and Chair Mark Holmes, Mayor John Pritchard and members of the design and construction firms creating the building.
