From gardens to walkways to building corridors and vestibules, public art helps define the landscape and spaces of Michigan State University. Joining the collection are recently installed pieces in a work of art itself: the Billman Music Pavilion.

The College of Music opened the 37,000 square-foot addition to the renovated Music Building this fall. While the pavilion itself is a testament to the artistry of purpose-built, educational design, a carefully curated selection of original artwork placed throughout complements the breathtaking interior.

“One of the great things about public art is you come into a building or space, you see something, and it draws you in to see something else. It creates an experience, etched in your memory,” said James Forger, dean of the College of Music. “A generous gift by the MSU Federal Credit Union has ensured ample representation and vision in current and future works that grace the pavilion.”

The acquisition and placement of more than 29 paintings by five distinguished contemporary artists mirrors MSU’s long-standing commitment to funding public art. In 1999, the Board of Trustees approved the Public Art on Campus initiative that dedicates one half of one percent of a major construction or renovation project’s budget to public art, up to a cap of $250,000. To date, the initiative has helped fund and place about 140 pieces of public art on campus, ranging from prints, paintings, and tile mosaics to architectural glass, photography, and sculptures.

Campus Planner Steve Troost, a member of the Public Art on Campus Committee, explained that the College started with a budget of $175,000 to commission artworks for the pavilion. That budget was boosted through the MSUFCU gift.

“The College of Music had an extremely collaborative process for selecting art,” said Troost. “The beauty of this story, aside from the art, is how College leadership engaged faculty, staff and students from the start in the selection of artists and works. Dean Forger was really good at guiding and making sure that happened.”

Art in context

The Billman Music Pavilion artwork was installed by MSU’s Infrastructure, Planning and Facilities staff this fall in high-visibility areas of the pavilion. Large format paintings are in the vestibules and open spaces, while groupings of smaller pieces by individual artists will be permanently displayed along hallways, balconies, lounge, and reception areas.

The commissioned art represents new or recent works by diverse artists as well as a piece from the original Music Building, a large format painting by Irving Zane Taran, MSU professor of studio art. Pieces selected for the university’s public art collection and for permanent display in the Billman Music Pavilion include a large format oil and pastel work by Connecticut artist Jackie Saccoccio; a horizontal format oil painting by the Brooklyn-based Zak Prekop; three single-wall groupings of 15 abstract paintings by Illinois artist Michael Wille; and 10 individually framed mix-media pieces by Philadelphia native and Chicago artist Clarence Morgan.

In reflecting on his art, Morgan said there is an underlying structure, linear rhythm and cadence that emerges in each composition. He said the pieces created for the Billman Music Pavilion resulted from instantaneous and unreflective geometric lines indiscriminately layered over random organic forms on the surface.

“I find my impulses as a visual artist not too dissimilar in my thinking from ‘free jazz,’” he said. “I believe there is a strong correlation between drawing and painting and the processes governing our thoughts…which are always in a state of flux. This might be where I make the connection with certain forms of experimental music, especially the often-improvisational aspects of contemporary jazz, as well as genres of rap.”

Jackie Saccoccio explained that her work, Caliban, is “a nod to the palette and energy” of artist Joan Mitchell who is known for her unique visual vocabulary that is rooted in abstraction.

“I hope visitors will bring the idea of improvisation, so readily accessible in music, to this painting as they take in the staccato of the marks weaving through webbings and drips,” Saccoccio said.

In addition to newly acquired artwork, The Three Musicians sculpture – a prominent piece originally next to the campus band shell and relocated to the west side of the Music Building about 60 years ago – was removed when pavilion construction began. With funding from the Public Art Committee, the sculpture is being restored and will be placed just north of the Billman Music Pavilion near a bench and plantings that commemorate the memory of Walter Adams.

For the MSUFCU, the funding of public art at the pavilion is the latest step taken to support the College. Previously the credit union endowed the MSUFCU Jazz Artist in Residence series and the Entrepreneurial Musical Artist in Residence program.

“MSUFCU has been a long-time supporter of arts and cultural programs at MSU.  What makes the gifts to the College of Music special is that they provide students with access to world-class musicians and bring those artists to our community for everyone’s enjoyment,” said April Clobes, MSUFCU president and chief executive officer. “When MSUFCU supports the College of Music, we are aligning with many of the Credit Union’s core values including Give Back to the Community, Pursue Growth and Development, Build a Positive Environment, and Cultivate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.”

The College of Music admires and shares those core values and looks forward to the day when the public can be safely welcomed into the Billman Music Pavilion to enjoy the music and art.