Collegiate Times

Patrons look at Judith Leiber Handbags's collection on the second floor in the Shaftman Gallery. Held in the "arms" of an off-white colored tree-like sculpture are orbs which hold clutches and other accessories in the shapes of a piece of candy, a rose and a monkey's head. Each piece has been decorated with tiny crystals that sparkle in the light.

She said she thought the museum would have more galleries. She said would make return visits if she knew there would be new art.

Drysdale said she hopes the museum would help make Tech's graphic design program more prominent.

"When I first got here, graphic design was small and no one cared about it," Drysdale said. "Maybe people will start looking at our program."

Senior art major Elyse Ward also visited the museum on opening day and said her overall impression of the museum was favorable.

"They had a variety of art," Ward said. "Hopefully, people who aren't into museums will go and see other people's art."

Ward said she liked seeing the work of more renowned artists that she was learning about in class alongside works by local artists. She has had dinner at the home of one of the artist's currently displayed in the museum.

"It's an amazing space," Ward said of the 81,000 square foot building. "The architecture was phenomenal."

When you first step inside the Taubman on the corner of Salem Avenue and Williamson Road in Roanoke, you find yourself standing in a 4,300-square-foot atrium. Above you is a triangular roof that is made out of a glass-looking material -- which allows the light from outside to fill the lobby. The first floor also houses an auditorium, caf and gift shop.

The floors of the atrium are a soft brown color and the whites are white. After you visit the front desk on your right when you first walk in, there is a glass composite staircase beside the counter that leads up to the second floor of the museum. The staircase wraps around from the second floor to the first floor lobby, and when there is less light in the atrium, the stairs become gently illuminated by light underneath each step.

The walls of the second floor are bright white, except a few of the galleries -- which are painted to complement the artwork inside.

Ward said she liked the Judith Leiber Handbags's collection on the second floor. Leiber's works are displayed in the Shaftman Gallery whose walls are painted black and contrast with the bright white light of the title card near the entrance of the gallery.

When asked whether she thought the museum would bring more art to Southwest Virginia, Ward said, "One can only hope."

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