Gift Transforms Art Department to Modern Hub of Design and Technology

The upgrades will reimagine the art floor in the Eisner Administration Building into an open studio space with greater access to new technologies and an enhanced design lab to improve students’ educational experience across disciplines. In addition to the department’s graphic design majors, design and design technology have become integral and in-demand competencies for the College’s programs in art, communication, education, marketing, and data analytics and computer science.

“I’ve watched Emmanuel grow over many years as the former board chair and as a proud grandparent,” Mr. Daley said. “One of my granddaughters, Molly Grey, majored in education with a minor in art. I was so impressed with the way she developed as an artist and educator. Emmanuel supported her in every way, and today she’s a full-time elementary art teacher at the Dean S. Luce School in Canton. I was very happy to invest in the art department at Emmanuel College and the wonderful work they do to set up each student for successful and fulfilling careers.”

The design lab, which has been renamed the Daley Family Design Lab in recognition of the gift, has been equipped with new Wacom drawing tablets and a fleet of high-end MacBooks, which replaced the fixed desktop iMacs. Moving the art floor toward a “wireless” model enables for increased functionality and flexibility, both in fulfilling course demand and simultaneous class scheduling and in allowing for digital design and production to take place in areas such as the ceramics lab and the print shop.

To further increase flexibility and encourage collaboration, the design lab will be outfitted with new, multipurpose furniture in early 2023 that can be arranged to support both traditional design work and instruction, as well as advanced team-based projects to mirror the environment of modern, professional design studios. 

“With this gift, the Art Department can fully embrace the future of art and design by building on the organic connections between technology and art,” said Erich Doubek, Professor of Art and Department Chair. “The investment helps us take strong steps toward giving students optimal resources for their academic and artistic growth and our ability to provide the high quality, personalized education for which Emmanuel College is known.”

Additional updates already in place or continuing over the next two years include new furniture in the common areas and lounge spaces, Wi-Fi upgrades, new photography equipment, funding for visiting artist talks, wireless headsets for guided museum tours within art history courses, and a muralist to transform the entryway to the department.