Renovated grad studios sport new gallery, spaces to interact
By: Michael Chesnick. March 12, 2025.Creating a more “communal atmosphere,” the School of Art has completed a full interior renovation of the grad studio building.
Now called the Visual Arts Research Studios, or VARS, the 25,000-square-foot facility includes a reconfigured gallery, a new seminar classroom and more studio space for graduate students, faculty and visiting artists and scholars.
“Influx,” an exhibition featuring work from 18 MFA students, will kick off the new VARS Project Space from March 18 to April 7, including an April 5 public reception at 2 p.m. The gallery is in the southeast corner of VARS, 1231 N. Fremont Ave., just north of Speedway and the School of Art’s main building.
“I am incredibly excited about the renovation,” said Yana Payusova, assistant professor of practice for the First Year Experience program. “It’s fantastic to have a bright, freshly painted new studio with great lighting and soaring ceilings.
“I also appreciate being able to work alongside fellow faculty members and our wonderful graduate students. The communal atmosphere of the space is truly inspiring.”
The grad building now has 53 studio spaces, including six AV studios, and new features such as a paint booth, a sleek break room and other areas to sit and relax, two gender-neutral restrooms and a lactation space.
“The additional studios incorporate various configurations to better serve graduate students working in all media,” School of Art Director Colin Blakely said. “The added faculty studios add an extra layer of opportunity for interaction. It’s a safe, secure and ventilated building and a convenient asset to our program.” A major gift from a donor funded most of the renovation.
