Dugan Hall Facilities

The mixed media studio is a large 1,450-square foot wet lab used for a variety of media. The room provides specialized equipment for printmaking, papermaking, and alternative photography processes. It offers two large stainless steel sinks with acid neutralization and compound solidifiers. In addition to two Nederman lab arms for heightened localized ventilation, the room features an accelerated ventilation system. The mixed media studio has 12 large stainless steel tables that allow 24 students to work at once. There are ceiling electrical pulls above each table. The room also contains six large flat files for storage, counter spaces, and numerous shelves and bins for storage. There is a Mac mini, a ceiling mounted video projector, and a full sound system for digital teaching needs. The Mixed Media Studio also has a full-length wall with a Homasote surface and gallery track lighting for informal class critiques. This wall simulates professional gallery lighting conditions, thus allowing the possibility of making accurate assessments of work while still in the making-process.

The printmaking side of the studio contains two electric presses and one manual press. There are large racks for drying prints and storage for silk screens. The room contains a Ryonett spray booth for our hybrid silk screening and alternative process photography functions as well. The papermaking side of the studio contains two beater stations, a vacuum press, a book press, and a large compression jack. There are two drying racks and ample storage for paper pulp and finished work.

On semesters when Alternative Process Photography is being offered, this lab can transform into a specialized photo studio. Paper is coated with emulsion, exposed in light boxes, and processed in the large trough sink with specialized developers. This lab allows for a variety of drying racks to meet the criteria of the medium. This lab is also used for workshops with visiting artists and other electives. The mixed media lab is open for student use 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The foundations studio is a large classroom with 18 drafting stations and seven 27-inch iMac stations. The 1,285-square foot room allows for an entire critique wall with Homasote wall and track lighting. There are two large flat files, counter, and shelving for storage. This lab has an instructor’s station with a Mac mini, ceiling mounted projector, document scanner, and full sound system for digital teaching needs. The room contains a second portable projection cart for installation and other projection purposes. This large studio has an entire wall of windows and overlooks the beautiful Merrimack River. Seventy two locker units run along the hallway walls, allowing students to have secure storage of work and supplies.

The photography lab combines a traditional wet process darkroom and a digital environment. Dugan B11, the main classroom area, is an open space providing flat working tables and two magnetic dry erase glass boards for critique and viewing work in process. A long wall at the front of the room contains three 27-inch iMac stations, an Epson flatbed and film scanner, and an 80-inch LCD flat screen for viewing work. The classroom space also includes a light table, negative drying cabinet and print drying racks. The primary film processing area is in the main classroom and includes a stainless steel Sebastian Processing Sink with final wash compartment sink. The classroom allows ample space for storage of chemicals, trays, cylinders, and tanks. Attached to the main classroom are two private darkrooms and a small gang darkroom. Each darkroom is equipped with a Sebastian Darkroom Sink with an area to pour off spent fixer. Each of the darkrooms functions independently, allowing beginning and advanced level students to work at the same time. To teach the students to operate a variety of enlarger types, we support Omega, Durst, and Beseler enlargers with an array of appropriate lens focal lengths. Students are trained to work in both the wet darkroom and our Digital Print Lab, thus creating a hybrid digital/analog learning experience.

The 400-square foot lighting studio contains state-of-the-art Bowen's strobe units and accessories, a 27-inch iMac, and the industry standard application Capture One. The autopole system allows for three rolls of seamless backdrop paper to be installed and interchanged quickly. Unlike the other studios in Dugan Hall, this studio does not have a side window and open view into the room, allowing privacy for models. In addition to the large seamless system, the studio has a small area for product photography and portfolio documentation. This studio allows for both digital and traditional work of all formats. All students enrolled in art classes have access to the Photography Lighting Studio from 9 AM - 5 PM, Monday through Friday. Students enrolled in photography courses have 24 hour ID card access to the Lighting Studio, seven days per week.

The 82-square-foot painting area is adjacent to the foundations room and is interconnected with the private studios. Storage cabinets and paint rag disposal containers are conveniently located in the painting studio for student use. The studio is equipped with sixteen easels, taborets, a portable palette rack and adjustable stools. The lighting design of the room is flexible and allows for a variety of options, and the four walls have exhibition-standard track lighting. The studio has a long wall of windows and boasts an impressive view of the Merrimack River. A specialized cleanup room with a double basin sink unit and green cleaning solution for oil-based paints is located directly across the hallway. Fire safe cabinets are provided and meet health and safety requirements.

The sculpture/ceramics studio occupies approximately 3,500-square feet of space at the south end of Dugan Hall on the ground level. There are numerous stainless steel sinks with deep basins, ceramic tile floors and walls throughout. The loading dock adjacent to the sculpture/ceramics studio makes delivery of materials convenient. The studio is subdivided into several smaller spaces. 

The largest space is used as a classroom/studio area for lectures, technical demonstrations, and group critiques. This lab has an instructor’s station with a Mac mini, ceiling mounted projector, document scanner and full sound system for digital teaching needs. The tool closet has a service window that opens into the main studio. The tool closet staff loans tools to classes and individual students during open studio hours. The main studio area also offers storage lockers for students. There is a 5HP air compressor with drop connections to service the entire studio and shop. This main studio area is utilized by the following courses: Art Concepts II, Sculpture, and Ceramics. 

The woodshop is adjacent to the main studio space. It includes a table saw, two band saws, a drill press, table/belt sander, compound angle miter saw and a dust collection system. The ceramics area adjacent to the main studio has a slab roller, two electric kilns, extruder tool, glaze storage, mixing areas, shelves and three large stainless steel work sinks.

Advanced students and students working on their B.F.A. capstone coursework in Studio Art have access to studio space in a secure area. They have card access 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The spaces are assigned/awarded through an application process. The applications are reviewed each semester by a faculty committee. The spaces are semi-private and are each approximately 100-square feet. Together, Dugan B5 and B14 offer a total of 16 spaces and are available to Seniors and Advanced Studio students.

The art department has a 190-square foot equipment loan area. The equipment ranges from video to digital SLR cameras, film cameras and professional-level lighting equipment. The department also has a variety of audio equipment, including microphones, cables, sound recording equipment and audio adapters. This area is overseen by the Studio Manager and is staffed five days per week.

We have a 250-square foot spray paint room with enhanced ventilation. This room is used for studio activities that either require the use of flammable substances (such as spray paint or fixative) or need enhanced ventilation for substances such as resins and epoxies. The Nederman Lab arms in the adjacent Mixed Media room are not adequate for flammables, but they do offer enhanced ventilation in a localized setting.