The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Mimi and Ian Rolland Art and Visual Communication Center

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Mimi and Ian Rolland Art and Visual Communication Center (entrance to main building), University of Saint Francis

Mimi and Ian Rolland Art and Visual Communication Center (detail, main entrance), University Saint Francis

Mimi and Ian Rolland Art and Visual Communication Center (entrance to subsidiary building), University of Saint Francis

Institution Name: University of Saint Francis
Original/Historic Place Name: Standard Oil Warehouses
Location on Campus: 1001 Leesburg Rd.
Date(s) of Construction and Designer(s):

1895	original construction Unknown
2001	renovation of warehouses Design Collaborative

Type of Place: Individual building
Style(s): (Glossary)
Materials:

Foundation: concrete

Walls: brick; block

Roof: built-up bituminous material

Function:

ca. 1895	other (warehouses)
ca. 2000-present (2007)	museum
ca. 2000-present (2007)	academic department building (art)

Significance: architecture, education, history
Landmark designation:

none

Narrative: see below
References: see below

Narrative:
The Rolland Art Center at the University of Saint Francis is a 2000 renovation of two former Standard Oil warehouse structures. The art center has aesthetic qualities that were perfect for the creative firm of Design Collaborative. High ceilings, natural light, and wide open spaces contribute to the feeling of a New York artist's loft. Without formal classrooms, the center stimulates creativity and expression. It is from this restored complex that students emerge as woodworkers, photographers, painters, sculptors, printmakers, art teachers, jewelry designers, computer animators, and television and radio producers. As a cultural center, its two art galleries host exhibits and events for the enrichment of everyone in northeast Indiana.

References:

I. Bibliographic sources:

None specified.

II. Location of other data:

University: Library, Special Collections