Local philanthropists David and Cathy Hammond recently donated $100,000 to the Visual Arts Department at Pensacola State College.
Their contribution kicks off a $1 million effort to establish a permanent fund providing additional visual arts scholarships, program support and faculty enhancement. This is part of the college’s $3 million LIMITLESS Campaign for Visual Arts, a fundraising effort that includes support for construction of the Charles W. Lamar Studio Gallery.
In recognition of their gift, the PSC District Board of Trustees approved the permanent naming of the “David and Cathy Hammond Photography Studio” at the Anna Lamar Switzer Center for Visual Arts, Building 15, on the Pensacola campus.
This recognition reflects the Hammonds’ passion for art and their personal interests in education.
“Cathy has been a teacher for 25 years and my passion is art,” said David Hammond. “The two of us together believe that the whole concept of art is important to education, and it’s obvious that there is passion here at the Anna Lamar Switzer Center.”
More than 90 students take classes each semester and benefit from state-of-the-art equipment at the “David and Cathy Hammond Photography Studio.” Expansion of the Anna Lamar Switzer Center and the Visual Arts endowment will allow the program to continue to grow with plans of adding additional degree offerings in photography.
PSC President Edward Meadows says the Visual Arts program is one of the college’s best-known programs serving the community.
“This gift from the Hammonds helps ensure our ability to continue building on what has become a signature visual arts program in the Southeast United States,” Meadows says. “It’s a real honor for us to be able to recognize their commitment in this way.”
Photographic Technology students in particular will benefit from using the Hammond Photography Studio. This program trains students for careers in the current and emerging fields of commercial/artistic photography in all its forms, from wet-chemistry to digital procedures in both color and black/white. Emphasis is placed on technical competence, aesthetics and creative approach.
Located in the Anna Lamar Switzer Center for Visual Arts, the Visual Arts Department offers a variety of two-year degrees and professional art training in the areas of design, drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, photography, illustration, computer graphics, and web design.
All Visual Arts Department faculty are creative, professional artists actively involved in their fields. Their extensive exhibition, publication, and teaching experience offer students a rich source of artistic knowledge. The Visual Arts Gallery, located in the Center complex, provides an annual schedule of changing exhibitions, visiting artists, and events.