Wheaton College - Nike Yearbook (Norton, MA)

Page 21 text:

THE ART CENTER In 1938 Wheaton made art history by her sponsorship of an open competition for plans of a proposed Art Center. Newspapers and magazines from Boston to San Francisco buzzed excitedly about the contest for the new building that was to house everything to do with Art, Music, Drama and Dance in the college. The competition was, to quote Miss Seaver, ‘not to obtain a final plan, but rather to discover an architect who is capable of designing a building that will fulfill Whea- ton’s aesthetic as well as practical require- ments.’’ On this basis the architects selected were Richard M. Bennett and Caleb Horn- bostel, designers of $.A.B. Now, seven years later, there are, unfor- tunately, not enough students who know that the competition was held, or realize the important position it maintains not only in the architectural world but in the Wheaton world, too. The Art Center would be the focal point for creative activities on campus and would contain the special equipment needed for them: a large theater, a smaller auditorium and a library. It would also have properly equipped lecture rooms, offices, stu- dios, workshops and practice rooms. No more will Beethoven's Ninth Symphony distract in- tensely cogitating Math classes; no more will students and faculty emerge on the verge of asphyxiation from an 11:30 art class; no fran- tic struggle will then ensue to disentangle actors from props in time to get on stage on cue. With a specially constructed proscenium the Dance Group will have a big enough and open enough stage for their gyrations, too. Think often of that neat and graceful modern Art Center, destined some day to fit cleanly on the site across Peacock Pond. When talk is resumed of its construction and of plans for its financial support, remember its advantages and our responsibilities in having a building whose designers were chosen in this democratic way. [17 ]

Page 20 text:

GYM The gym has been the site of much of Wheaton’s entertainment and excitement this year. For many weeks in the deep recesses of the pool the Tritons and Tritonettes under Ike and Dodie practiced their strokes and routines for their annual show. The roaring spectators hanging over the balcony suffered as many casualties from sore throats as did the participants in the wild games of basket- ball which were played in the gym during the season. Kay, Jan and Eve really gave the other teams some keen competition with their breathtaking baskets from all positions on the court, and Miss White's refractory shirt-tail was one of the high-lights of the senior-faculty game. Perhaps the most versatile of all our build- ings, the gym has served as a men’s dorm on big dance weekends when all the rooms in Norton had been filled, and the dates would have had no other place to sleep. It is quite a job to lug the mattresses over, but all the men seem to have slept comfortably with pink teddy bears and blue blankets. At Christmas-time, after the banquet, we all filed quietly into the gym for the Nativity Play, to find that this year’s Madonna was Em Wilcox Revere, and Joseph was Annie Burroughs. On the stage last fall was the hilarious student-faculty production of Dérty Work at the Crossroads, with Mr. Boas as a convincing villain, and other faculty mem- bers doing excellent jobs as actors, actresses and stage crew. Freshman plays and Dr. Faustus this spring, plus Hold It, the annual vaudeville produc- tion, which introduced Dr. Esmond Q. Van Stoosen and his idea that the purpose of col- lege is ‘‘That they may have Life.”’ Then there were the inevitable posture exams, conditions, “‘eight cuts,’’ and the new drinking fountain. And who can forget Miss Urner’s walk, and Miss Benson’s voice, and our new gym secretary, Miss Johnsone [16 ]

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LIBRARY The library is Miss Merrill, Miss Monnier, Miss Eden, Miss Dolber, and Miss Graham. It’s student assistants, and “‘May I have Garrett for Psyche’ “It’siithe little bell that rings the hours, Life and House Beautiful and The New Yorker in the Periodical Room, and pink slips 1n our mailboxes. It’s the pencil- sharpener on the table, and the blackamoors and the paintings of Wheaton’s past presi- dents in the lobby. It’s ‘‘Quiet, please,’” art slides, the Cole Memorial Room, the art gallery, fluorescent lights that buzz, prob- lems for freshmen, and reference books. It’s exhibits by the main desk, and the drinking fountain by the reserve desk. It’s comfortable chairs and plaid curtains in the Browsing Room. It’s ‘‘That they may have l ife and have it abundantly,’’ and step-washing on May Day. It’s step-singing, and sitting for seniors only. In one word, it’s the library.