Behind the Cels: Selections from SCAD’s Don Bluth Collection June 17, 2009
Posted by Deborah in : Don Bluth Collection of Animation, Exhibits, SASC Conference, Useful Information , add a comment
Mrs. Brisby, Color Model, The Secret of NIMH
We are so excited here in Special Collections! 88 items from the Don Bluth Collection of Animation are at the Frame Shop getting matted and framed and then are traveling on to Atlanta to be exhibited in Gallery See at the SCAD Atlanta Campus from July 7-31. We have been working on selection of the materials for the exhibition for months. The exhibition is being held in conjunction with the Society for Animation Studies Annual Conference. Please join us for opening reception from 6-8 PM on July 9th in Gallery See. Part of the exhibit will be in the Artist’s Book Room of the Library. There is even a rumor that Gary Goldman might attend.
This is the first time we have exhibited the Bluth Collection since it arrived at SCAD in 2005. Donated by Gary Goldman and Don Bluth, the collection is huge and will take years to process completely, but what is processed is available to researchers now. The collection was given to the college to be used as a teaching tool for students and faculty. Classes in Animation, Sequential Arts, Cinema Studies, and Illustration have found inspiration in the many drawings, backgrounds, cels, model sheets, and other materials from the collection. This spring, in addition to Professors bringing in classes, a group of students from Weston Hall came with their RA to view selections from the collection. We are happy to have an ever increasing number of people interested in this amazing resource!
The Society for Animation Studies Annual Conference will be from July 10-12. All the information you may need about the conference, including details on registration, is on their very exhaustive conference blog. If you are a SCAD student or faculty member with a current ID, registration is at the door and is free.
We have posted some of our favorites for a little preview of the exhibition, or for those who cannot make it.
Happy Birthday, Jen Library! June 11, 2009
Posted by Deborah in : Jen Library , 1 comment so farThe Jen Library opened its doors to the public on April 26, 1999. One of the largest art and architecture libraries in the United States, it was named for Jim and Lancy Jen, the two major benefactors making the library possible. The library takes up an entire city block on East Broughton Street in downtown Savannah and is made up of three buildings.
Levy's Department Store, circa 1945
The first building, built in 1890, was bought by Benjamin H. Levy to house the Levy’s Department store on the corner of Abercorn and Broughton Streets. Levy expanded the building and unified the two with one façade. Levy’s Department Store opened in 1925. In the 1950’s, the store was expanded again, now encompassing the entire block and giving the building a total of 85,000 square feet. Again a new façade covered the entire building. The newer construction was reinforced concrete, but the oldest structure is wooden and the rafters are still visible on the third floor west if you look up through the grid work. The middle building was steel beam construction. Most of the windows were covered on the second and third floors, except at the corners, where there are large floor to ceiling windows. The building included Savannah’s first escalator.
Maas Department Store, after closing
In 1986, Maas Brothers acquired the building after merging with Levy’s. It opened as Maas Brothers that year, but did not stay in business long. A bankruptcy in1990 closed the chain for good shortly after that.
The Savannah College of Art and Design acquired the building in 1996 through a grant from the Federated Department Stores. Donations for the renovations came from the Jens. Unfortunately, the escalator had to go, but was replaced by the now famous glass stairway. Savannah architect Lee Meyer planned the renovations. He kept the space open and utilized glass walls for classrooms and offices. Low book shelves created a feeling of spaciousness and enhanced accessibility. Furnishings for the building were custom made and the interior design was clean and modern with wood tones, metals, and glass.
Jen Library
Today, ten years later, the library has proved to be the vibrant and comfortable learning environment envisioned by the architects, designers, librarians, and benefactors. One thing we learned when talking to students during recent focus groups during planning for future growth is that they love coming to the library!
Sources cited: Savannah College of Art and Design, Restoration of an Architectural Heritage, by Connie Capozzola Pinkerton et al, Arcadia Publishing: Charleston, SC, 2004
Savannah Morning News, 8/30/1996, “SCAD library moving to Broughton Street,” by James Pilcher
Georgia Guardian, 4/30 through 5/6/1999, “SCAD Library nearing completion,” by Amy Goodpaster Strebe