Dugan Hall Facilities

Our Fabrication Lab is in Dugan hall, Room B4, a room conveniently located near our advanced studios and sculpture area. In this lab, you will find state-of-the-art technologies and equipment for a variety of fabrication needs. This includes a 24"x36" laser cutter that can be used to cut and engrave a wide variety of materials. We also have several 3D printers that allow students to transform 3D models into physical objects. A Makerbot Sketch Large allows 3D Foundations students to be introduced to the 3D printing process during their first year of studies. A Formlabs Form II uses laser technology to print in high-resolution resin and enhances advanced students' work including projects from Animation and 3D modeling classes as well as Senior Studio. An Ultimaker 3 is used for refined dual-extruder printing capabilities in many different colors and materials. An iPad 3D Scanner allows students to scan physical sculptures or objects, manipulate them digitally, then re-imagine their form in a 3D print.

In addition, we have two industrial sewing machines that can be used to bind books or make a variety of sculptures. These machines can assemble materials ranging from sheer soft chiffon to very thick cardboard, leather and metal. In this lab, students in Animation and Interactive Media, Graphic Design and Studio Art will gain hands-on experience in twenty-first century fabrication methods and techniques. 

The mixed media studio is a large 1,450-square foot wet lab used for a variety of media. The room provides specialized equipment for printmaking, papermaking, screen printing, and alternative photography processes. It offers two large stainless steel sinks with acid neutralization and compound solidifiers. In addition to five Nederman lab arms for heightened localized ventilation, the room features an accelerated ventilation system. The mixed media studio has twelve large stainless steel tables that allow twenty-four students to work at once. There are ceiling electrical pulls above each table. The room also contains six large flat files for storage, counter spaces and numerous shelves and bins for storage. There is a Mac mini, Airtame screen sharing device, a ceiling mounted video projector, and a full sound system for digital teaching needs. The Mixed Media Studio also has a full-length wall with a Homasote surface and gallery track lighting for informal class critiques. This wall simulates professional gallery lighting conditions, thus allowing the possibility of making accurate assessments of work while still in the making-process.

The printmaking side of the studio contains a large manual printing press and UV vacuum exposure unit. A large vat for Ferric Chloride etching techniques is housed in this lab where students can learn traditional Intaglio printmaking processes. There are large racks for drying prints and storage for silk screens. The room contains a Ryonett spray booth for our silk screen washing functions as well. The papermaking side of the studio contains a Hollander beater, a hydraulic press, and a book press. There are two drying racks and ample storage for paper pulp and finished work.

On semesters when Alternative Process Photography is being offered, this lab can transform into a specialized photo studio. Paper is coated with emulsion, exposed in light boxes, and processed in the large trough sink with specialized developers. This lab is also used for workshops with visiting artists and other electives. The mixed media lab is open for student use from 7 a.m. to 11p.m., seven days a week.

The foundations studio is a large classroom with 18 drafting stations and seven 27-inch iMac stations. The 1,285-square foot room allows for an entire critique wall with Homasote wall and track lighting. There are two large flat files, counter, and shelving for storage. This lab has an instructor’s station with a Mac mini, ceiling mounted projector, document scanner, and full sound system for digital teaching needs. The room contains a second portable projection cart for installation and other projection purposes. This large studio has an entire wall of windows and overlooks the beautiful Merrimack River. Seventy two locker units run along the hallway walls, allowing students to have secure storage of work and supplies.

This large studio has an entire wall of windows that overlooks the beautiful Merrimack River. Seventeen Klopfenstein easels, taboret tables, stools, and a large model stand provide an excellent space for learning to draw. The 1,285-square foot room allows for an entire critique wall with Homasote paneling and track lighting. There are two large flat files, counter, and shelving for storage. This lab has an instructor’s station with a Mac mini, ceiling mounted projector, document viewer, and full sound system for digital teaching needs. Seventy-two locker units run along the hallway walls, allowing students to have secure storage of work and supplies. 

The photography lab combines a traditional wet process darkroom and a digital environment. Dugan Hall, Room B11, the main classroom area, is an open space providing flat working tables and a magnetic dry erase glass board for critique and viewing work in process. A long wall at the front of the room contains four 27-inch iMac stations, an Epson flatbed and film scanner, and an 80-inch LCD flat screen for viewing work. The classroom space also includes a light table, negative drying cabinet, and print drying racks. The primary film processing area is in the main classroom and includes a stainless steel Sebastian Processing Sink with final wash compartment sink. The classroom allows ample space for storage of chemicals, trays, cylinders, and tanks. Attached to the main classroom are two small darkrooms and a larger group darkroom. Each darkroom is equipped with a Sebastian Darkroom Sink with an area to pour off spent chemistry for collection. Each of the darkrooms functions independently, allowing beginner and advanced level students to work at the same time. To teach the students to operate a variety of enlarger types, we support Omega, Durst and Beseler enlargers with an array of appropriate lens focal lengths.

The 400-square foot lighting studio contains state-of-the-art ProFoto strobe units and a wide variety of accessories. An autopole system allows for three rolls of seamless backdrop paper to be installed and interchanged quickly. Unlike the other studios in Dugan Hall, this studio does not have a side window and open view into the room, allowing privacy for models and full control of the lighting. The room's versatility accommodates everything from full-length backdrops to small setups for product photography, to portfolio documentation. This studio allows for both digital and traditional work of all formats. Students enrolled in upper level photography classes have access to the Photography Lighting Studio from 7AM to 11PM daily with card access, and other Art & Design students can request to be trained to use the studio for their academic needs.

The 825-square-foot painting studio is adjacent to the drawing room and is interconnected with the advanced private studios. Storage racks and paint rag disposal containers are conveniently located in the painting studio for student use. The studio is equipped with twelve Klopfenstein easels, taborets, a portable palette rack and stools. The lighting design of the room is flexible and allows for a variety of options, and the four walls have exhibition-standard track lighting. The studio has a long wall of windows and boasts an impressive view of the Merrimack River. A specialized cleanup room with a double basin sink unit and green cleaning solution for oil-based paints is located directly across the hallway. Fire safe cabinets and specially designed exhaust ventilation are provided and meet health and safety requirements. The studio has a wall mounted 54 inch LCD flat screen for viewing work, and an Airtame screen sharing device for digital teaching needs.

The 3D studio occupies approximately 3,500-square feet of space at the south end of Dugan Hall on the ground level. Fully renovated in 2024, this studio has been equipped with state-of-the-art dust and fume exhaust snorkels, a specialized 146-square foot room for plaster preparation to contain powders, improved lighting throughout the space, improved storage areas, butcher-block tables, and refinished furniture and work surfaces. Ample storage for works-in-progress is available for students and faculty. The loading dock adjacent to the sculpture/ceramics studio makes delivery of materials convenient.

The studio is subdivided into several areas. The largest space is used as a classroom/studio area for lectures, technical demonstrations, and group critiques. This lab has an instructor’s station with a Mac mini, document viewer, 72 inch LCD flat screen, and full sound system for digital teaching needs. The tool closet is in close proximity to the main studio and is staffed outside of class hours for students to utilize its resources on evenings and weekends. The main studio area also offers storage lockers for students to store their tools and belongings. There are ceiling electrical pulls above each table. There is a 5HP air compressor with drop connections to service the entire studio and wood shop including a retractable ceiling drop. This main studio area is utilized by the following courses: Art Concepts II, Sculpture and Ceramics. The wood shop is adjacent to the main studio space. It includes a table saw, two band saws, a drill press, belt/disc sander, compound angle miter saw, scroll saw, oscillating spindle sander, and a dust collection system. Painting courses, Directed Study students, and Senior Studio students frequently utilize the woodshop's resources. The ceramics area beyond the main studio has a large slab roller, a 12 cubic-foot electric kiln, clay extruder, glaze storage, wedging table, countertop backdraft and snorkel particulate exhaust, shelving, three large stainless steel work sinks with spray nozzles, a clay recycling station and seven Brent pottery wheels.

Advanced students and students working on their Bachelor of Fine Arts capstone coursework in Studio Art have access to studio space in a secure area. They have card access from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. The spaces are assigned/awarded through an application process. The applications are reviewed each semester by a faculty committee. The spaces are semi-private and are each approximately 100-square feet. Together, Dugan Rooms B5 and B14 offer a total of 16 spaces and are available to seniors and advanced studio students.

The Art Department’s Audio/Visual Equipment Loan Center (“The Cage”) is a 190-square foot equipment loan area. The equipment ranges from video to digital SLR cameras, film cameras and professional-level lighting equipment. The department also has a variety of audio equipment, including microphones, cables, sound recording equipment and audio adapters. This area is overseen by the Studio Manager and is staffed five days per week. Students enrolled in an Art & Design course may rent equipment for their academic needs.