RADFORD – Close to $100,000 was raised at the weekend gala celebrating the dedication of the Douglas and Beatrice Covington Center for Visual and Performing Arts at Radford University. It has been more than a decade since former Radford University President Douglas Covington had a vision for a state-of-the arts facility that would enhance the campus’ visual and performing arts departments.

Three hundred and fifty people gathered for the Saturday gala festivities that included a brunch, dinner, music and art exhibition.  On Sunday, friends and family of the Covingtons met for afternoon tea in the new facility.

Monies raised will benefit equipment and furniture priorities for the new facility. Projects include purchase of risers, instrument cabinets, movable walls, gallery pedestals and covers, lounge and museum furniture and much more.

(IN THE PHOTO: Dr. Covington, in the background, is saluted at the gala celebration honoring the dedication of the Covington Center for Visual and Performing Arts. For more photos, please see Photo Gallery.)

Original oil and watercolor paintings by art professor Z.L. Feng are exhibited in the new gallery. Feng pledged that half of the proceeds from all works sold would benefit the new facility.

Alumni of RU’s Delta Chi fraternity honored the memory of Jon Cain Capps ’97, one of the chapter’s founding fathers, with a gift to the “Seat of Honor” campaign for the Covington Center for Visual and Performing Arts. Georgia Ann Snyder-Falkinham bought two seats in honor of the Covingtons.

Feng’s exhibition continues through Friday, Nov. 21. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Covington Center features the museum, a recital hall, rehearsal rooms for individuals and ensembles and a music media room.

Opportunities for giving are still open, including purchasing plaques for the seat-naming campaign. To learn more, call Elizabeth Ton in the Office of University Advancement at (540) 831-6117 or e-mail eton@radford.edu.