The Home Of Art, Dreams, And Leaky Faucets

By Isaiah Joseph | February 24, 2022

Kean is home to multiple unique and talented students who express themselves through their art,  however, they are feeling defeated by the building that they call home.

One thing that every visual and performative artist needs to make their projects into a reality is a space where they can work, create, and somewhere they can call home while they are on campus. But what if your home isn’t living up to your expectations? For Kean’s student artists, that home is Vaughn-Eames.

One of the original buildings on Kean’s Union campus, Vaughn-Eames was built in 1969 and holds the history and potential of many artists, but lately, students complain that the conditions of the building have been making it difficult for them to work.

Like every building on campus, maintenance is important to keep them in decent shape, but Vaughn- Eames has been suffering for quite a few years before the voices of students were heard.

From mold on the ceilings to windows that leak water, and restrooms looking similar to a dirty gas station bathroom, the art building houses many different issues that need immediate attention.

Recent complaints about the building were discussed during Kean’s last town hall meeting held on Nov. 22.

An art student who attends classes in Vaughn Eames decided to express their concerns about the conditions in the building at the town hall. The students complained of how their projects were damaged due to water leaking in one of the art studios.

Inside one of the exhibit rooms, an art student who asked not to be identified waited on the floor for her canvas to dry as she set up for an upcoming art show.

When asked about the maintenance and condition of the building she let out a little chuckle.

The student talked about the main issues she observed in the building.

“We have no hot water, and it is always cold in here so there is also no heat, we have to use the studio lights to keep us warm on some days,” she said.

She voiced her concern about changes that are needed inside the classrooms. She explained that they have been trying to get renovations inside the building and bring attention to the buildings condition. They obtained new desks for the building after three years of asking.

She explained that in light of all the building’s faults, a lot of small changes are being made to keep the building in working condition. The university replaced the concrete floor near the main entrance with wooden floors and also painted the walls of the building.

When taking a stroll through the halls you are met with artwork that distracts you from the bland and eerie look of the features of the building.

 “We also have one vending machine and the snacks go out fast because students are here doing six-hour classes. Generally, there needs to be more love for the building,” the student said

Art history professor Marguerite Mayhall who has been teaching at Kean for 20 years explained that the building is slowly but surely getting the care and attention it needs but it is limited due to the age of the building.

“Structural conditions that make renovations difficult,” Mayhall said.

According to construction journal, Kean is working on a project to renovate and improve the restrooms in the building into a more modern restroom and includes the following interior finishes, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection.

 “Historically in the past, the windows have leaked but they may have been fixed,” Mayhall said.

 Throughout all the issues with the building whether it is leaking faucets, peeling paint, or gas station bathrooms the building still has potential and remains a home for all of Kean’s talented visual and performative art students.

“It’s not cozy but it has character,”  Mayhall said.

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