PCC’s Center for the Arts Recital Hall Nears Completion

Pasadena City College is set to finish the construction of its Center for the Arts’ Adrienne Westerbeck Recital Hall and Black Box Theater on Thursday, October 31.

Measure ‘P’ Director Jack Schulman headed the construction of the hall and the Black box, which are expected to be open to the patrons in November, the PCC Courier reported.

The Center for the Arts features oak ceilings lined with circular skylights and giant metallic columns on the opposite sides of the back entrance, the newspaper reported.

The 220-seat recital hall, meanwhile, showcases an oak floor that slopes to its bamboo covered wall and a caramel-colored pulp studio fabric-paned windows, the Courier reported.

“I picked the fabric myself,” Director of Facilities Rueben Smith told the newspaper. “The original fabric that was in Europe was no longer available when we were ready to finally order it.”

The completion of the Center of the Arts was delayed after the college switched contractors last year.

“The original pushed deadline for completion was July eighth this year,” Schulman told the newspaper.

Schulman added that the materials of the Hall and the Black Box are “green” and sustainable, including the bamboo faced panels and the run-off water coming from the top of the building which can be reused.

Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard is planning to have his state of the city address in the Center for the Arts, the PCC Courier reported.

PCC’s Center for the Arts is a 62,000-square-foot facility which encompasses art studios, practice rooms, laboratories, classrooms, offices and performance spaces. It will have all the arts under one roof, creating a synergy for students and faculty. The majority of funding for this building will be provided by voter approved construction bonds.

Pasadena City College is located at 1570 E. Colorado Blvd. For more information, contact (626) 585-7123 or visit http://www.pasadena.edu.