Sands studios dedicated

‌

A. Sue Weisler

Richard Sands, left; his wife, Jennifer Sands; and New York State Sen. Jim Alesi were honored for investing $2 million toward renovations of the School for American Crafts.

RIT recognized Trustee Richard Sands, chairman of the board of Constellation Brands Inc.; the Sands family; and New York State Sen. Jim Alesi during an on-campus ceremony this fall to formally dedicate the Sands Family Studios in the School for American Crafts.

They provided $2 million in total to support the renovation of the studio spaces inside James E. Booth Hall and an addition to the building’s west side.

“The Sands Family Studios offer an integrated, up-to-date resource that strengthens RIT’s standing as a world leader in crafts education,” says President Bill Destler. “The generosity of the Sands family, as well as the state funding secured by Senator Alesi, generate added momentum with which to capitalize on RIT’s assets related to the arts.”

The School for American Crafts has served as the center of crafts education at RIT for more than 60 years. The school offers undergraduate and graduate programs in ceramics, glass, metals, and wood. The 14,000-square- foot facility includes expanded studio spaces, 16 kilns for the ceramics program, two furnaces for glass blowing and a workyard area students can use for iron pours, welding and raku firing.