Rosalind Sallenger Richardson Center for the Arts opens at Wofford

Every step of the way – from the main entrance to the art gallery and the museum – the new Rosalind Sallenger Richardson Center for the Arts at Wofford College invites you in.

Through the full glass front façade on the campus side of the 65,000-square-foot building, students and visitors see artwork hanging in the Richardson Family Art Gallery on one end, students and professors working in a state-of-the-art computer design lab on the other end, and in the center, they see glimpses of the stunning red, gold and yellow Cerise and Amber Persian Ceiling sculpture by famed artist Dale Chihuly that spans the lobby in front of the entrance to the building’s centerpiece, the 320-seat Jerome Johnson Richardson Theatre.

Once inside, the glass walls and doors of the gallery invite them into the space, and a wide, winding hallway carries them to the monumental staircase where they are greeted by another Chihuly piece, the Goldenrod and Crimson Persian Chandelier. The open staircase is flanked by a seating area of all-white furniture – so as not to detract from the chandelier’s striking, yet warm, autumnal shades. The staircase overlooks, through walls of glass, an outdoor art studio and gallery that features wooden benches and green plants for a serene setting. Even before the building officially opens, students already have found the outdoor space’s terraced steps a great “secret” study space during exam week.

The Rosalind Sallenger Richardson Center for the Arts along with the Richardson Family Art Gallery and the Richardson Family Art Museum – with an exhibition of artworks by Sir Winston Churchill and artifacts from the famed statesman, an exhibition of works by Southern artists from the Johnson Collection and an exhibit of works by three Tunisian artists curated by a Wofford student – opened to the public on Wednesday, May 17.

Hours for the public to enjoy these and future exhibitions are: 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, and 1 to 9 p.m. Thursday; the venues are closed to the public on Sunday and Monday. Admission is free.

More than being a showcase for the permanent Chihuly sculptures, Wofford’s permanent art and artifacts collections, student artwork and works by visiting artists, the Rosalind Sallenger Richardson Center for the Arts is a place that enhances the student experience for all Wofford students – not just those majoring or minoring in studio arts, art history or theatre.

This center also will serve the larger Spartanburg community as well as the entire Upstate of South Carolina, Samhat continues.

The Center for the Arts is the home of Wofford’s Department of Art and Art History and Department of Theatre. It includes state-of-the-art spaces for both departments for instruction, performances and exhibits.

The facility is a gift to Wofford from Jerry Richardson, a 1959 Wofford graduate and a member of the Wofford Board of Trustees, and is named in honor of his wife, Rosalind Sallenger Richardson. Jerry Richardson is the founder and owner of the NFL Carolina Panthers.

The Center for the Arts, located at the academic core of the Wofford campus, features two performance theaters – the 320-seat Jerome Johnson Richardson Theatre and the Sallenger Sisters Black Box Theatre. The Richardson Family Art Museum and the Richardson Family Art Gallery are featured spaces for the display of student artwork, visiting artists’ works and specific art and artifacts exhibits.

In the main lobby, outside the Jerome Johnson Richardson Theatre, is a portrait of Rosalind Sallenger Richardson by Santa Fe, New Mexico, artist Ned Bittinger. The portrait is a gift to Wofford from Rosalind and Jerry Richardson’s daughter and her husband, Ashley and Steve Allen, and grandchildren and their spouses, Caroline and Chris Campbell, Martha and Matthew Allen, Lukas and Ivey Allen and Hannah and Evan Myers.

The Jerome Johnson Richardson Theatre, the centerpiece of the facility, is designed as a state-of-the-art performance venue with specialty lighting, proper acoustics, a full stage and fly-loft, orchestra pit and a catwalk system. The theater seats approximately 320 guests, including a balcony and four individual seating boxes. The theater can accommodate a speaker and includes a large projection screen and projector. The lobby of the theater is designed to host pre-function events and includes a catering kitchen and indoor and outdoor spaces for entertainment.

The theater is named in honor of Jerry Richardson.

The Sallenger Sisters Black Box Theatre is a two-story, multipurpose space designed for unique performances as well as rehearsals and practice sessions. In addition, the space serves as an instructional space for a variety of coursework at Wofford. The theater includes specialty lighting, proper acoustics, a catwalk system, a suspended flooring system and direct loading access from the loading dock.

The theater is named in honor of Rosalind Sallenger Richardson and her sisters, Jacqueline Sallenger Allsup, Claire Sallenger Martin and Marion Sallenger Fall.

The Richardson Family Art Museum is a dedicated art museum designed to accommodate Wofford College’s permanent collection of artwork and artifacts as well as works of guest artists and specific art exhibits. The space is located on two floors, connected visually and physically by a large opening in the floor that enhances both spaces. Specific lighting is designed to best illuminate the space with the flexibility to accommodate a variety of art exhibits. In addition, a security system is included as well as a heating and air-conditioning system with humidity controls needed to protect the artwork on display.

The museum is named in honor of the Richardsons’ children, the late Jerome Johnson Richardson Jr., Mark Sallenger Richardson and Ashley Richardson Allen.

The Richardson Family Art Gallery accommodates a variety of options for the display of student artwork with the ability to have other exhibits and displays as well. The lighting is designed to illuminate the space to best showcase the artwork on display. The space is located adjacent to the main lobby and has a transparent entry that invites visitors into the space. Flexible walls that connect and open to the lobby allow for pre-function entertainment as well as the ability to combine events in the art gallery and the Jerome Johnson Richardson Theatre.

The gallery is named in honor of the Richardsons’ grandchildren, Caroline Allen Campbell, Steven Matthew Allen, Jerome Johnson Richardson III (Wofford Class of 2010), Lukas Richardson Allen, Hannah Allen Myers, Rose Katelyn Richardson (Wofford Class of 2013), Asbury Sallenger Richardson, Claire Couch Richardson and Raven Rosalind Richardson.

The Center for the Arts includes three art studios and offices and studio space for the faculty. Included are a 3-D studio, a 2-D studio and a painting studio for students. These multipurpose venues can accommodate a variety of art instruction and the creation of individual artworks. Natural lighting and light fixtures designed specifically for art studios enhance the space. In addition, outdoor studio space is convenient and easily accessible. Individual cabinets provide storage for each students’ artwork and art supplies and other amenities for clean-up and maintenance.

An acting studio, green room, dressing rooms, costume shop and scenery shop support the events in the theater. The faculty suite has 10 offices and a conference room. A variety of collaborative and informal learning spaces are included in the building.