After a year of renovations, the Giles Gallery reopened with a reception on March 31, kicking off its 50th anniversary and the opening of a new exhibition of faculty works. Omni Architects designed the renovation, updating the 1970s-era space with crisp white wall finishes and trim details that provide flexible options for displaying wall-hung pieces, new lighting, an open-grid ceiling system and new mechanical systems to provide better humidity control. A number of original features remained in the space, including the terrazzo flooring and the handrail system on the monumental staircase and balconies.

Giles Gallery director Melissa Vandenberg said that she is excited for the gallery to be open to the public once again. “For us to sort of refresh the space and kind of update it to architectural standards of today, the white, fresh, crisp wall does a lot better job at showing off the work that we’re hanging” Vandenberg said.

The exhibit includes artwork from current and former Eastern Kentucky University School of Art and Design faculty and features works from across a wide range of disciplines. The exhibit will be on display until April 19