Imagine walking into a place where creativity flows freely, only to be greeted by a thick air of moisture, exposed plumbing, and the pungent smells of sewage coming from the basement. As you walk through the narrowest hallways and go up the steepest stairs, you’ll find some areas freezing while others are boiling. This is no scenery of a haunted house; it’s our very own Visual Arts Building. 

This facility contributes to the long history of Goshen College as the very first Mennonite Archival Library. Still, as time passed, the institution developed and somehow neglected the conditions of what we know today as the Visual Arts Building. The space is too small for the amount of creativity that thrives in this place. Not only that, but the dangers that we risk with the super steep concrete ramp going from the ground floor to the basement, which was never made with the intention of being an accessible ramp.

 The situation is further complicated by the fact that the restrooms are not easily accessible, particularly for individuals with mobility issues. Moreover, at least one of the stalls is consistently out of service, and it will take the school several months to address this issue. 

I discussed this matter with one of my classmates and a professor. We all agreed that the restrooms get extremely hot, making them feel swampy due to the heat and the fumes from the toilet. We also agreed on a lack of accessibility due to having to go up about three flights of steep stairs to get to the computer lab on the third floor, students with mobility issues are not able to go into those spaces comfortably either. 

Another issue is the pipes in the ceramics studio, which will start to bang against each other during colder weather and the winter, creating a loud and obnoxious noise. The conditions clearly affect the educational experience and ultimately violate federal safety regulations.

The solution is not another temporary fix or patchwork; we need a full-scale renovation to improve ventilation, better plumbing systems, widen hallways and ensure accessibility for all students and staff.  Other universities provide ample space for students to work on their artwork, store supplies and navigate the facility easily. The stations are strategically and safely arranged, featuring high-quality materials and high ceilings that accommodate tall individuals. 

We all know that Westlawn underwent a full-on renovation recently, and other facilities have had updates throughout the years to improve them, so why should visual arts be left behind? This space requires changes from the current structure to a much more sustainable and welcoming environment for students and staff who use this facility daily. If the art building were to undergo a complete renovation, it would create a significant opportunity for the art department to attract more students. GC could gain more attention, not only from sports and the nursing program, but also in the fine arts. 

The Visual Arts Building is likely not the first priority among the other facilities, but the art department is just as valuable as the rest. Many students come outside of class hours to work on their projects, especially in ceramics, which is the most prone to health issues from kiln fumes and the lack of ventilation in the basement. We attract students, host exhibitions and guest speakers and contribute to the culture on campus. Moreover, a better facility would put us on the radar of schools with the best fine arts program in the area, and we would attract higher enrollment while preventing chronic diseases in the future, given the current state of the building. 

Now, I know that the Visual Arts Building is old, and that’s how it is. But honestly, age is not an excuse as the Administration building is the oldest on campus. Yet, it has received significant changes throughout the years, and the elevator is finally fixed! So again, why should the visual arts be left behind? We should think of the long-term effects that an investment like this can have for the college.