Southeast Missouri State University plans to expand its River Campus with a new art complex to house its ceramics, sculpture and painting programs.
School officials say the idea is to create a “gateway to the arts” in downtown Cape Girardeau.
Through a public-private partnership, Southeast will expand its River Campus footprint through the renovation and expansion of the former Cape Restaurant Supply building, just blocks from the River Campus.
The expansion project is part of the University Master Plan approved by the Southeast Board of Regents in December 2018.
When the River Campus opened in 2007, Southeast’s ceramics and sculpture programs, and its upper-level painting classes and studio spaces, remained on the main campus and were not relocated to the new facilities due to space limitations. The new arts complex on South Frederick will bring many of Southeast’s art and design students together in one location, including sculpture and upper level painting currently housed in Serena on the main campus, lower level painting now at the River Campus and the ceramics studio at 835 Broadway.
The building will provide spaces for ceramics; a variety of sculpture – woodworking, metals, 3D materials and mixed media – and painting; a shared plaster room; a “clean” classroom where 3D printers and a variety of technology will be available for students to view mock-ups and model work; and a student gallery. Also included will be an outdoor patio space where students can work on large ceramics and outdoor sculpture pieces.
The consolidation of Southeast’s painting, ceramics and sculpture programs at the new Frederick Street location also offers opportunities on the main campus by freeing up space to serve the needs of other academic programs.
