A new Fine Arts Digital Imaging Classroom / Lab is opening mid-February 2001 at Barry University. This state-of-the-art facility will give students the tools and experience they need to master the industry-standard tools that graphic artists use (such as Adobe Photoshop), preparing them for success in exciting careers.

The classroom houses twenty-three G4 Macintosh computers, three large-format inkjet printers, one using special archival inks, three flatbed scanners, and two high-resolution film scanners which include a 35mm scanner and a multi-format film scanner covering all camera film sizes. Also available are re-writable CD burners and Wacom tablets. Students will be able to make computer art and creatively manipulate photographs using this equipment.

The idea for this computer imaging facility began with Dr. Laura Armesto, Dean, School of Arts & Sciences. "The photography faculty have been teaching highly sophisticated digital coursework in the University’s general purpose computer classrooms. Having our own facility with computers and peripherals specific to professional industry standards will allow us to expand and offer serious, professional, and up-to-the-minute digital imaging courses to our students."

The School of Arts & Sciences, which is funding the project, is currently offering five sections of Photography: Computer Imaging courses per semester. This number will soon increase when an additional full-time photography faculty member whose specialty is digital imaging is hired in Fall 2001.

Stephen Althouse, professor of Photography, is heading the project. He is joined by his colleague Silvia Lizama, who worked with Althouse and Dr. Carlos Segami to introduce the first computer imaging courses at Barry University in 1994.

The Division of Information Technology has been working with Althouse on this exciting project in order to have the lab operational by mid-February. Supervision of the project has involved an immense amount of work, from the selection of the technology and equipment, laying out the facility, designing the renovation plan for the space, choosing furniture, monitoring all of the sub-contractors, and keeping track of details down to the stocking of supplies.

Dr. Armesto is quick to praise her faculty for making the classroom possible. “It’s been through the willingness of the photography faculty to take the initiative to introduce digital imaging to our students ... and now again it has been through the willingness of the photography faculty to have taken on the responsibility of building such a fabulous facility”.

The new Fine Arts computer classroom is in Adrian Hall (room 216), one of the original buildings on campus, built during the 1940's.

"The plan was to restore the room back to the original look of early Barry College which has been covered up by all the years of modifications and adaptations made to the room since the 1940's,” states Prof. Althouse. This involved tearing out everything that was tacked on over the years, such as removal of the dropped ceiling, air conditioning ductwork, and lighting fixtures. The dropped ceiling was hiding beautiful nine-foot windows, whose panes had been painted over. The finished room now has a twelve-foot ceiling with oak lighting fixtures and elegant windows which look out into the garden between Fine Arts and the School of Natural and Health Sciences building.

Professor Althouse adds, "The goal is to have a classroom which visually represents the uniqueness of Barry University, showcasing the fact that Barry's curricula are on the cutting edge, yet set in a distinctive, charming, and humanizing environment.”

Barry University’s Department of Fine Arts is currently offering beginning through advanced levels of Adobe Photoshop classes. However, with the new facility, plans are to expand digital photography courses to include creative web design and introduce computer courses designed for Music, Art, Theatre, and Dance students.