The newly renovated Myles Center for the Arts on the campus of Davis & Elkins College was celebrated Friday with the official dedication of the facility.
The Center is named for Board of Trustee member June Myles, whose generous financial support and hands-on planning and consultation made the vision a reality. Davis & Elkins College President G.T. ‘Buck’ Smith presented Myles with a bronze plaque, which will be installed on the building, as well as a framed photo of the plaque for Myles to keep.
During ceremonies, Myles commented that the Center and the rejuvenation of the Arts at D&E will benefit students and the Community.
“My hope is that all in the D&E community will learn to love the arts in whatever capacity they choose,” Myles said. “I also hope those in the Randolph County community will take advantage of the updated facility.
D&E Chancellor Dr. Michael Mihalyo noted the impact the Center provides for the community. “Over the past few weeks, the facility has been used for learning, for Mountain State Forest Festival events and for arts students from D&E and the community,” Mihalyo said.
The project includes extensive interior architectural upgrades to the lower level with the creation of an art department consisting of office space, technology labs, and studio space in approximately 7,000 square feet. The 1,200-seat Harper-McNeeley Auditorium was completely renovated with new seating, new carpeting, new lighting and a new Bose sound system. The auditorium lobby was refurbished to include office space and a retail center for the Augusta Heritage Center. Part of the Center lobby, new museum space has been created to house the College’s unique Darby Collection. And upstairs, the Paull Gallery enhances the Center with exhibit space for the visual arts.
Ron Selders, executive director of D&E’s physical plant, was also recognized for overseeing the project.
Other infrastructure upgrades to the Myles Center include a complete sprinkler system, and new boiler and chiller system.
The Center serves the community and the region as the largest performance venue in the area. It provides state-of-the art space for D&E’s Fine and Performing Arts Department as well as for guest performances, such as the College’s recent presentation of the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra.
Fast Facts:
- The Myles Center for the Arts is comprised of three key areas that provide teaching, recreational, gallery, performance and administrative spaces including Hermanson Center, Harper-McNeeley Auditorium, and the Paull Gallery.
- The Mills Group of Morgantown was engaged for project design.
Related to the Presbyterian Church (USA), Davis & Elkins College is located in Elkins, 2 hours east of Charleston, 3 hours south of Pittsburgh and 4 hours west of Washington, DC. For more information about the college, please visit the College website at www.dewv.edu or call 304-637-1243.
