Beam signing marks milestone for Ohio University’s Patton Center for Arts Education

Ohio University marked a significant milestone in the construction of the new Violet L. Patton Center for Arts Education on April 24, with a ceremonial beam-signing event, bringing together students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and campus leaders to celebrate the continued progress of a facility designed to transform arts education for OHIO students and the community.

Held outside Glidden Hall, the event invited attendees to sign a structural steel beam that will become part of the new building, serving as a lasting symbol of the shared vision and community behind the project. Alongside members of the OHIO community, the signature of Violet Patton, whose generosity and vision for arts education made the facility possible, was also added to the beam, honoring her legacy and enduring commitment to arts education at OHIO. 

“This center will be a place where students explore, create and connect in ways that extend beyond the classroom and into the community,” said Lori Stewart Gonzalez. “The arts bring people together, and this space reflects our investment in learning, discovery and engagement. Signing this beam is especially meaningful because it represents not only the future of this building, but the aspirations and creativity of our students for generations to come.”

In addition to President Gonzalez, Vice President for University Advancement Greg Simmons, Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts Dean Roxanne Schroeder-Arce, Jeff Chaddock and Mark Morrow, and Lucia Puerto, a first-year student in Production Design & Technology and Playwriting, also offered remarks highlighting the center’s impact on students, interdisciplinary collaboration and the future of arts education at Ohio University.

The beam signing followed the University’s April 21, 2025, groundbreaking, marking another step in the facilities renewal project of the Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts. At the center of this project is the Patton Center for the Arts, made possible by a $50 million gift from the late Violet L. Patton, a 1938 Ohio University alumna whose legacy continues to shape the future of arts education on campus.

Patton’s gift reflects her long-standing belief in the transformative power of education and her commitment to expanding opportunity through the arts. 

Once completed, the Patton Center will feature a 330-seat proscenium theater, rehearsal halls, production and studio spaces, an art gallery and shared gathering areas designed to foster creativity across disciplines. Transparent architectural elements throughout the building will allow visitors to observe artistic processes in real time, reinforcing the center’s focus on openness and collaboration.

It will also serve as a cultural hub for the Athens community and the broader Appalachian region, expanding opportunities for engagement between students, faculty and the public.

“The Patton Center for Arts Education represents a bold and tangible step toward a stronger and more unified College of Fine Arts that celebrates the distinct strengths of each discipline while cultivating a shared sense of purpose and interdisciplinary exploration,” said Roxanne Schroeder-Arce, dean of the Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts. “By bringing together our six schools and professional arts programs within a shared creative district, we are creating dynamic new opportunities for collaboration, enriching the student experience, deepening community engagement and expanding our global artistic reach. We also remain deeply committed to preserving and nurturing the historic spaces that have long defined arts in Athens including locations like the Athena Cinema and the Kennedy Museum of Art, ensuring they continue to thrive alongside our new, state-of-the-art facilities. Together, these spaces will serve as a destination for the region, one rich with talented makers and creators, and a hub where their work can be supported, elevated and brought to life.”

During the event, Puerto highlighted the ways the building will directly shape her educational experience and that of future students.

“As someone who is extremely passionate about all areas of the arts, I know that I will be able to reap one hundred percent of the benefits of the Violet L. Patton Center for Arts Education,” Puerto said. “Within this building, I will have the opportunity to work in a brand-new shop in any area of Production Design & Technology that I choose. I will have a brand-new stage to direct, write and stage manage performances on. And, I will have a gallery in which I can proudly display my portfolio. But, most of all, I will have endless opportunities to collaborate and learn with students and faculty from the entire College of Fine Arts.”

Construction on the Patton Center is progressing steadily, with the proscenium steel now in place and work underway on the auditorium. Over the summer, crews will begin underground utility work to connect the facility to broader University infrastructure. The project remains on schedule, with completion expected in Summer 2027 and student occupancy planned for Fall 2027.