OCCC Proud to Open New Visual Performing Arts Center by Christiaan Patterson
I
t began with a dream. An idea, which sparked fire and passion of many to pave the road and create something that would be enjoyed by future generations. Nearly seven years later, Oklahoma City Community College is proud to open the doors of its brand new Visual Performing Arts Center (VPAC). January 16, 2014, marked the end of a long journey by welcoming citizens, city officials, and college representatives to take the first steps inside. “For us, it has been a dream for a very long time. I think our students will truly benefit from having a facility like this and attract even more students who are interested in the arts,” said Dr. Paul Sechrist, president of Oklahoma City Community College. When the project idea was first submitted, students agreed to a fee increase in order to pay for half of the total cost. By agreeing, the college took it upon itself to find sponsors and donors for the rest of the cost. Many sponsors contributed to the building, including the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, who for the past three years of performing in OKC, has donated $1 for every ticket 8 | MOORE MONTHLY | FEBRUARY 2014
sold. The complete bill for the new VPAC is around $20 million. Being able to construct a VPAC of this magnitude not only benefits students attending OCCC, but the community as a whole. “Arts are important to an economy,” Sechrist said. “Certainly we look at science, technology, engineering, and math, but really the arts are important, too. Art is what drives innovation. So we feel this will make a significant difference in raising the quality of life in OKC.” At the dedication ceremony, people were able to walk the halls, marvel at the architecture and even take a stroll across the stage. The windowed front provides a 180-degree field of view, pointing to the northwest. A sculpture, which graces the courtyard outside, was donated by the Women of the South organization. This VPAC is nothing short of superb with its stateof-the-art design and layout that will embrace not only the performers, but the audience as well. Sechrist said, “Students will really have a venue to
perform in and be able to showcase their talent, which they really haven’t been able to doin this nice of a venue before. They need to have that experience of performing on a major stage and they will have that here.” Part of the VPAC has been in service for a few years as students attended classes in music, theater, film, video, and performing arts. The newer addition will offer more labs for art, drama, and theater courses. The grand performance opening will be on February 14, with the first performance from Oklahoma City Philharmonic with pianist Valery Kuleshov.
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