LCC
unveils new $8.4 million Fine Arts Center
Laredo Community College began a new chapter in the rich history of its visual and performing arts programs with the presentation of the Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Arts Center to the community Thursday evening. A formal dedication and celebration to inaugurate the $8.4 million facility was held on Thursday, August 28.
The event began with an outdoor ceremony in front of the Center where project architects Robert Sepulveda, Rafael Peña Jr. and Dean of Second Campus Planning Francisco Martinez unveiled the building plaque, which formally recognizes the contributions of the Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Foundation and the LCC Board of Trustees.
The new facility was then blessed by The Most Reverend James A. Tamayo, Bishop of Laredo; assisted by Reverend Monsignor Stanley Sliwiak, Vicar General and Pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church.
Sarai Araiza, Hacel Arias and David A. Garza—students in the dance, music and visual art programs—participated in a symbolic opening of the Fine Arts Center by using a large golden key to unlock the doors to the facility.
Students, faculty, staff, invited guests and community entered the Martinez Fine Arts Center and proceeded to the 752-seat auditorium. There, the ceremony continued with the Pledge of Allegiance, led by LCC visual art student David Garza; and followed by a performance of the National Anthem, sung by a choral quartet featuring students Victor Rosales, Claudia Chapa, Christina Cabrera and Dr. Joseph Crabtree.
LCC President Dr. Ramon H. Dovalina welcomed guests to the event.
“The
inauguration of the Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Arts Center is a festive
occasion for the LCC community,” said Dovalina. “We are elated to share
this special moment with friends and supporters of the college and its
fine
During the ceremony, philanthropist Guadalupe Martinez and members of his family were introduced for their contribution toward the advancement of the college’s arts students.
Through the generosity of the Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Foundation, the College received a generous contribution to fund the construction of the facility. Additional support came from the Foundation for the acquisition of a Steinway handcrafted grand piano.
Pete Saenz Jr., Vice-President of the LCC Board of Trustees and an LCC Distinguished Alumnus with a penchant for music, thanked Martinez and the Foundation for helping the college realize a “long-awaited” dream for the benefit of LCC students.
“Laredo Community College is grateful to the family of Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez for making a significant investment in our students with their contributions to the Center,” said Saenz. “Thank you for believing in our dream and for making so many of our hopes a reality through your generosity.”
Other highlights of the ceremony included remarks by Robert J. Gonzalez, Vice-President, Supplier Diversity for Pepsico and Treasurer of the Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Foundation; and a presentation by Deborah Moore-Sandoval, a representative of Steinway Pianos.
The celebration continued with a special music and dance concert featuring LCC students and faculty.
Among the performers were LCC Voice Instructor Dr. Crabtree, his wife, Dana Crabtree, and LCC Piano Instructor Dr. Susan Liu. Also performing solo pieces were LCC modern dance student Sarai Araiza and LCC Piano Instructor Dr. Mikolaj Gorecki. The performances concluded with the lively sounds of LCC’s Mariachi Palomino, directed by Music Instructor Ruben Vargas. After the ceremony, guests were invited to enjoy refreshments and view artwork displayed by talented LCC art students. They were also able to acquaint themselves with the facility and its innovative features.
State-of-the art technology is supporting the learning experience for students who study at the LCC Fine Arts Center. The innovative learning tools can be found in almost every section of the center, including the digitally-enhanced practice rooms for both music and voice students.
In the practice rooms, students and faculty utilize the technology behind these facilities—all equipped with pianos for accompaniment, and all capable of digitally simulating various musical environments such as cathedral, large and small recital halls, baroque settings, and small and large arenas.
“These practice rooms are absolutely fantastic,” says Dr. Crabtree. I can tell you from experience, that they are one step up from the ones found at UT-Austin.”
The LCC Fine Arts Center, which opened its doors to students with tbe new fall semester on August 25, is providing state of the art technology for students in visual and performing arts classes to master their skills and showcase their talents.
The facility is located on the north side of the college campus nestled between historic buildings that currently house arts instruction.
In addition to assistance from the Martinez Foundation, the project was funded with support from revenue bonds and student fees. The Alfonse Siros Foundation also contributed $70,000 for the support of a Resource Library for students in the Center.
The LCC Fine Arts Center is a hub for students in drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, dance, music and theatre production classes, among other related subjects.
Sepulveda Associates Architects, Inc. undertook the planning and design of the Fine Arts Center. The general contractor was Leyendecker Construction, Inc.
For more information, contact the LCC Marketing and Public Information Office by calling 721-5140 or by e-mail at publicinfo@laredo.edu.
Photos from the Martinez Fine Arts Center Dedication
Guadalupe Martinez is congratulated by Dean Francisco Martinez (right) and Project Manager Ralph Peña Jr. of Sepulveda Associates Architects, Inc., after the unveiling of the Fine Arts Center building plaque. |
LCC Choral Director Dr. Joseph Crabtree leads students Claudia Chapa, Christina Cabrera and Victor Rosales in the performance of the National Anthem. |
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 Deborah Moore-Sandoval, a representative of Steinway Pianos, was among the guests who congratulated LCC for achieving an important milestone for the advancement of the fine arts programs. Here she presents a gift to LCC President Dr. Ramon Dovalina. |
Robert J. Gonzalez, Vice-President of Supplier Diversity for Pepsico and Treasurer of the Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Foundation, offered a touching story on the lives of Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez and their passion for the advancement of students and the arts. |
Dana and Joseph Crabtree enthralled audiences with their performance of Franz Lehár's Lippen Schweigen from The Merry Widow. |
LCC dance standout Sarai Araiza captivated the visual senses with her solo performance during the celebration. |
Dr. Mikolaj Gorecki impressed the audience with his performance of a J. Brahms piece on the new Steinway handcrafted Grand Piano, acquired with the support of the Martinez Foundation. |
The celebration concluded with an exciting performance featuring LCC's popular Mariachi Palomino, directed by Instructor Ruben Vargas. The student ensemble drew two standing ovations from an appreciative audience. |
LCC choral students Claudia Chapa and Victor Rosales, acting as ambassadors to the college, presented an architect's rendition of the Martinez Fine Arts Center to philanthropist Guadalupe Martinez and the Martinez Foundation for generous contributions that assisted the college in the construction of the Fine Arts Center and the acquisition of a Steinway grand piano. |
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Office of Marketing and Public Information
West End Washington St.
Laredo, TX 78040-4395
956- 721-5140
Fax 956-721-5443
