The Alabama Center for the Arts Lighting Project

Calhoun Community College & Athens State University
Decatur, AL
Architects: PH&J Architects
Electrical Engineer: Gunn & Associates

The Alabama Center for the Arts opened on August 20, 2012. It’s the result of a combined effort between Calhoun Community College, Athens State University, the City of Decatur, and Morgan County. The facility houses an extensive visual arts program. Students can take courses in ceramics, 3D design, photography, painting, drawing, and graphic design. It is phase one of a two phase project. The second phase will house the school’s music and theatre departments. “I think this facility has electrified the community,” said Kenneth Anderson, Dean of Humanities & Social Sciences at Calhoun Community College. “It certainly represents what I think is the best Decatur has to offer.” The art gallery, located on the first floor, is illuminated by LSI track lighting. The Painting, drawing, ceramics, and 3D design rooms all have the Verve III linear pendant fixture from Focal Point, which provides both uplight and downlight. One of the most exciting lighting features of the entire building are the color changing LEDs from Insight that have been installed overhead throughout the first and second floor hallways. The entire lighting system is controlled throughNexlight. “The whole dimension of how light influences one’s ability to create has to be a powerful thing in this particular facility, and we’re excited about that,” said Anderson.