Donations from the National Society Daughters of the Revolution, local and national art auction participants and supporters of the school’s historical mission have provided funds for projects meant to repair and improve the building for the health and safety of Bacone College School of Indian Art students.
McCombs Hall was built in 1935 and features several classrooms, galleries and studios. In the last few years, water has been saturating the basement unabated because of a lack of drains, gutters and downspouts on the building.
Work began last month with new gutters and downspouts being installed thanks to a donation from Wilson and Brenda Pipestem of Pipestem law.
Art Director Gerald Cournoyer and several students have been involved in the day-to-day work in completing the gutter project and one currently underway to have French drains installed around the building.
“We’re all grateful for the donations that are allowing us to complete this work,” Cournoyer said. “As we work to rebuild and reinvigorate this art program, we want our students to have a place they can work comfortably and safely in.”
Bacone College summer work program students Yan Monjardim, Layne McKiddy and Trey Weaver were clearing foliage from around the base of the building on June 5 to prep for the installation of the French drain.
“Our next step will be to begin working on interior repairs,” Cournoyer said. “The building hasn’t been updated since the 1970s, and we’ve been pulling out old paneling and sheetrock that has deteriorated and become moldy throughout the building. We look forward to finishing up all the improvements.”
For more information about the Bacone College School of Indian Art’s renovation project, please contact Cournoyer at [email protected].