ARCHBISHOP John Bathersby of Brisbane blessed an $11 million performing and visual arts complex (PVAC) at Marist College, Ashgrove on October 28.
Queensland Governor Quentin Bryce officially opened the complex.
The blessing and opening was followed by a concert in the complex’s Molly and Len Draney Theatre.
The PVAC’s five centres will cater for performing arts, visual arts, drama and dance, film and television and music.
Celebrations began at the college with a grandparents’ day concert before Governor Bryce was welcomed to the sounds of bagpipes played by Year 11 students Christian Knights and Patrick Saunders.
Archbishop Bathersby blessed a cross that will hang in the complex.
He said and it was a credit to the college community for having the foresight to invest in the students’ creative abilities and the complex would be an asset to the community.
Head of school Marist Brother Neville Solomon said the complex’s high tech facilities catered for all areas of the arts from sound recording to pottery.
He said students started using the complex when the Br Alman Dwyer Wing opened earlier in the year.
He said other facilities include the Br Christopher Wade Music and drama centre the 308-seat Molly and Len Draney Theatre and a 100 square metre dance studio.
“There are also specialised visual arts areas for painting, drawing and ceramics,” he said.
“Students and parents alike have responded enthusiastically to the new complex and its cutting edge facilities.
He said research had identified a connection between the arts and improved student learning.
“Schools with strong arts programs regularly report increased student motivation to learn better attendance, greater student engagement improved high order thinking and increased creative capacities,” Br Solomon said.
