Building the Creative Foundation (1960s–1990s)
By the 1960s, the foundation established by Charles Sibley and his colleagues had begun to grow into a broader artistic community. The opening of the Fine Arts Building in 1960 marked an important milestone, providing the Department of Art with its first dedicated home after years of teaching in borrowed spaces across campus. More than a new facility, the building represented a growing institutional commitment to the arts and created room for expanded programs, faculty, and student opportunities. Today it is known as the Visual Arts Building and is home to the Strome Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Center for Cybersecurity Education and Research, and staff offices for the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.
Over the following decades, a remarkable group of artists, scholars, and educators helped define the character of the arts at Old Dominion University. Through teaching, creative practice, research, and leadership, these faculty members shaped generations of students while establishing programs that continue to influence the university today.
The University Theatre, located on 47th Street, opened in 1968, has served generations of students and audiences as a traditional proscenium stage for theatrical productions and musical performances. For decades, it provided a central venue where students could develop their skills in performance, design, and technical theatre.
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The Unversity Gallery at 765 Granby Street, located in downtown Norfolk, became an important connection between the university and the city's cultural community. Opened in 1974, during a period of downtown revitalization, the gallery presented contemporary exhibitions, faculty projects, student work, and visiting artists, providing opportunities for audiences beyond campus to engage with the visual arts.
The opening of the Diehn Fine & Performing Arts Center in 1991 marked a significant expansion of the university's performing arts facilities. Renamed in 1993 in honor of F. Ludwig Diehn, the center established a dedicated home for music education and performance, including the Diehn Composers Room and Chandler Recital Hall. The facility strengthened the university's ability to support composers, performers, ensembles, and audiences.
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In 1999, the University Gallery relocated to 350 W 21st Street Gallery, located in Norfolk's historic Ghent neighborhood, and continued this public-facing mission. For years, it served as Old Dominion's primary storefront gallery, building relationships with neighborhood artists, collectors, and community members while strengthening the university's presence within Norfolk's artistic landscape.
ODU Art Posters from 1960s-1990s
During this time of rapid growth in the arts community at ODU, many creative and visually appealing posters were produced, both by exhibiting students, and to advertise programs at the university. Presented here are a selected sampling, and more can be view by making an appointment with Special Collections and University Archives.