News Summary
The University of South Florida St. Petersburg has completed significant renovations to Harbor Hall, transforming it into a welcoming environment for its graphic arts program. The upgrades aim to enhance the educational experience for students who previously found the building uninviting. Renovations include modern design studios, classrooms, and a lecture auditorium, as well as improvements driven by student advocacy. These changes reflect an ongoing commitment to providing a conducive learning space for graphic arts students.
St. Petersburg, Florida – Significant renovations to Harbor Hall at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg have been completed, transforming the facility into a more welcoming and creative environment for its graphic arts program. This initiative aims to enhance the educational experience for students who have long identified the building as uninviting and outdated.
Originally constructed as a marine warehouse, Harbor Hall served as the Dalà Museum until its relocation in 2011. In recent years, students expressed their dissatisfaction with the facility, prompting former graphic arts student Gavin Hadro to advocate for improvements. Hadro, a 2025 graduate, noted that Harbor Hall lacked the creative atmosphere found in art buildings at other universities.
Responding to this sentiment, Hadro’s senior project included artistic renderings for a revamped Harbor Hall, incorporating ideas from over 20 fellow students in the graphic arts program. The need for a better environment became apparent as students and instructors began taking steps to revitalize the space, particularly amid insufficient funding from the university for much-needed updates.
Challenges such as outdated furniture and the absence of proper drawing tables have affected students’ creative processes, according to several students, including Montana Smith, a senior and teaching assistant. Efforts have been made to address these issues through minor upgrades such as new chairs, yet major obstacles remained, including divided communal spaces that hindered student engagement.
Students also started their own initiatives to improve the environment, such as sanding tables and uncovering archived materials. Additionally, student Dane Bernard successfully advocated for the installation of new vending machines in Harbor Hall, which helps to minimize hunger-related distractions during class time. This advocacy spanned approximately six months, involving extensive communication with university officials. Following the machines’ installation, excitement among students about the new food options was apparent.
The recent renovations, partly funded by a donation from art enthusiast Josephine Hall, included the addition of modern design studios, classrooms, a community room, and an 85-seat lecture auditorium. These advancements are expected to significantly benefit the graphic design department, allowing for the hosting of more events and the expansion of the graphic design program.
Plans for future expansion of the graphic arts program at Harbor Hall are already being discussed, which may include the introduction of a larger Print Studio and an increase in student capacity. In addition to renovations at Harbor Hall, Davis Hall also underwent updates, fostering enhanced collaboration among students and faculty within the College of Arts and Sciences. However, there are no announced plans for further renovation of Davis Hall.
The transformations at Harbor Hall represent a significant commitment to improving the educational landscape for graphic arts students at USF St. Petersburg, reflecting both the aspirations and efforts of its students and staff to create a more conducive learning environment.
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Additional Resources
- Crows Nest St. Pete: USFSP Students and Alumni Dream of a New Future for Harbor Hall
- Wikipedia: University of South Florida
- Crows Nest St. Pete: Harbor Hall Students Embrace New Vending Machines
- Google Search: University of South Florida St. Petersburg
- Crows Nest St. Pete: Renovated Harbor and Davis Halls Reopen
- Google Scholar: Graphic Arts Education
- Crows Nest St. Pete: Harbor Hall’s Renovations Revealed
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Graphic Design
- Crows Nest St. Pete: USF St. Petersburg Acquires Former Dalà Museum Artifacts
- Google News: Harbor Hall Renovations
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