Dyer Arts Center

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HOURS (unless otherwise noted):
Monday-Friday 10am-4pm
and by appointment

NTID Dyer Arts Center
LBJ Building
52 Lomb Memorial Drive
Rochester, NY 14623
dyerartscenter@rit.edu

The Joseph F. and Helen C. Dyer Arts Center at NTID houses several state-of-the-art galleries that showcase artworks created by current students, alumni, and artists who are nationally and internationally renowned. All of these artists are deaf, hard of hearing, and/or allies of the Deaf community.

The center also hosts art-related educational activities such as lectures and demonstrations and serves as a multi-use facility on the Rochester Institute of Technology campus in Rochester, New York. The center is unique among other galleries on campus for its permanent collection of works by deaf and hard-of-hearing artists.

Thanks to a leadership gift from the late Joseph and Helen Dyer, long-time supporters of NTID, the center opened in fall 2001.

Joseph and Helen Dyer

Long-time supporters of NTID, the late Joseph and Helen Dyer, established the Joseph F. and Helen C. Dyer Endowed Scholarship Fund at NTID in 1997. In early 2000, the Dyers pledged $2.5 million to fund construction and development of the Joseph F. and Helen C. Dyer Arts Center at NTID.

"NTID at RIT is of great importance to the deaf community," said Joseph Dyer. "Helen and I wanted to help support NTID, which has made significant contributions to deaf education, technology and the arts."

The Dyers completed college in a time when very few deaf people did, and they did so as mainstreamed students without any support or access services. Mr. Dyer attended the New Jersey Institute of Technology in the 1930s and became an engineer for a pharmaceutical company.

Hailing from Iowa, Mrs. Dyer's father moved to New York City to become an accomplished corporate attorney with many high-level contacts across America. He developed an appreciation for art, which he passed on to his daughter. Mrs. Dyer attended Clarke School for the Deaf in Northampton, Massachusetts, and received her bachelor's degree in sociology from Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa. Helen was an avid artist who enjoyed oil painting.

"We believe the arts are a large component of a well-rounded college education," Helen Dyer said before her death. "Expression through art for deaf people is especially meaningful and beneficial.”

Helen Dyer was 90 years old when she passed away in Delray Beach, Florida in September 2001. Joseph Dyer died in June 2007 at the age of 93.

Elizabeth W. Williams

The Elizabeth W. Williams Gallery is the main gallery of the Joseph F. and Helen C. Dyer Arts Center, and serves a multitude of functions, including exhibition of works by various artists, seminars, and hospitality functions for both NTID and RIT.

The gallery was made possible by a $500,000 gift from long-time NTID supporter, the late Elizabeth "Cookie" Williams.

Milton H. and Ray B. Ohringer

The Milton H. and Ray B. Ohringer Gallery is dedicated to improving educational opportunities for deaf and hard-of-hearing young people. Ray Ohringer, funded construction of the gallery in the Dyer Arts Center. She retired from IBM after 34 years and passed away in August 2018. She and her husband, Milton, who prior to his death in October 1999 was a certified public accountant, established The Milton H. and Ray B. Ohringer Endowed Scholarship Fund at NTID in 1998.

Hours

The Joseph F. and Helen C. Dyer Arts Center at RIT/NTID welcomes all visitors.

Except for major institute holidays, summer session, exhibit installations, and scheduled special events, the Gallery's hours are Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and by appointment.

Location

The Joseph F. and Helen C. Dyer Arts Center is a state-of-the-art facility at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf on the campus of Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York. It is located inside Lyndon Baines Johnson Hall. The postal address is:

NTID Dyer Arts Center
LBJ Hall
52 Lomb Memorial Drive
Rochester, NY 14623

Directions

From the Airport:

Turn right onto Brooks Avenue, then a quick right onto I-390 South. From 390, take the next exit (Scottsville Road) and turn right at the end of the ramp. Drive for approximately three miles, then turn left onto Jefferson Road (Route 252). Proceed east a short distance to the second campus entrance. Turn right onto campus at Lowenthal Road at the stop light just before the Radisson Inn.

From the NYS Thruway:

Take Exit 46. Immediately after exiting, get on I-390 North. Take Exit 13 (Hylan Drive). Turn left onto Hylan Dr. and continue north to Jefferson Road (Route 252). Turn left at the light. Proceed west a short distance to the main campus. Turn left onto campus at Lowenthal Road at the stop light just after the Radisson Inn.

After entering campus:

At the first stop sign (end of Lowenthal Road), you will be facing Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ) Hall. Make a left turn onto Andrews Memorial Drive and then a right turn onto Lyon Crescent. There are signs for visitor parking and also 20-minute parking is allowed in designated spaces with flashers turned on. As you enter the front doors of LBJ, the gallery is located on the first floor just off the lobby to the right.

Upcoming Events

The Dyer Arts Center hosts a variety of events for RIT/NTID students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members outside of RIT. Events range from art classes and workshops to lectures to opening and closing receptions.

Check back soon to see current and upcoming Dyer Arts events.

All NTID Events

Exhibitions

The staff of RIT/NTID’s Joseph F. and Helen C. Dyer Arts Center endeavors to show works by Deaf artists (including those who identify as DeafBlind, Hard-of-Hearing, and Late-Deafened).

For more information on the Dyer Arts Center’s exhibits, visit the gallery page

Event Space

Host Your Event at Dyer Arts Center

Dyer Arts Center is first and foremost a gallery space, thoughtfully curated to showcase NTID’s permanent collection and a rotating selection of temporary exhibitions. However, the space is also available to host a variety of events when exhibitions allow. Whether you're planning an intimate board meeting or a lively reception, Dyer offers a creative and inspiring backdrop unlike any other.

Flexible and Creative Space

While capacity may vary, depending on the current exhibit layout, Dyer Arts Center offers a flexible, multipurpose venue ideal for dinners and luncheons, award ceremonies, receptions, board meetings, workshops, and academic lectures.

Amenities and Services

Audio Visual Capabilities: AV equipment is available on-site to support a range of multimedia and presentation needs.
Tables, Chairs, and Linens: A selection of tables, chairs, and linens is available for rent.
Open to the Public: Dyer Arts Center welcomes both the RIT/NTID community and the general public for event bookings.

Interested in booking? Contact us at dyerartscenter@rit.edu for availability, rental rates, and to discuss how we can accommodate your next event.

Giving

For decades, the Dyer Arts Center has been a welcoming place for art, culture, and connection right here at RIT/NTID. We’ve enjoyed sharing our space with so many people: students, alumni, community members, and visitors from all over, through exhibitions, programs, and events.

We are proud to be home to one of the largest collections of artwork by professional Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing artists in the world, helping preserve and share stories that might otherwise go unseen.

Your support keeps these collections cared for, brings new exhibitions to life, and allows us to create events where people can connect in many ways.

If you wish to contribute to the Dyer Arts Center, there are several ways you can show support:

Make a gift online – it’s convenient, quick, and eliminates the need for envelopes, stamps, or checks. Your gift immediately starts supporting the Dyer Arts Center and is tax-deductible.
Donate artwork – if you are interested in gifting artworks, either now or through your estate, please contact Marissa Woodruff at Marissa.Woodruff@rit.edu or Bryan Hensel at Bryan.Hensel@rit.edu.

Thank you for supporting Dyer Arts Center. Together we will make sure this beautiful facility has resources needed to continue its tradition of being a hub for cultural and community connection at RIT/NTID and beyond.

Team

Marissa Woodruff

Director, Dyer Arts Center and Advancement for Deaf Culture

Assistant Director

Coordinator of Exhibitions and Collections

leeoea@rit.edu

Proposal Submission

You are welcome to submit a proposal to exhibit at any time. Please fill out the proposal form and contact us at dyerartscenter@rit.edu if you have any questions about the form.

History

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