TACKarchitects were tasked with designing an important creative space for Hastings College with the Jackson Dinsdale Art Center in Hastings, Nebraska.

The Jackson Dinsdale Art Center (JDAC) serves Hasting College as an iconic piece of the campus’ master plan as well as a functioning gallery space for the larger fabric of the surrounding community. The center includes comprehensive studios for both two-dimensional and three-dimensional work ranging from painting, print making, and drawing to metal fabrication, glass blowing and ceramics.

Using this delineation of studio work as an organizing concept, JDAC divides itself into two wings with two-dimensional studio work in the southern wing and three-dimensional studios in the northern portion. A shared gallery space connects the two and showcases student and visiting artist’s work.

Elaborating upon material languages found in the various studios, JDAC employs glass, steel, and brick elements pertaining to the breadth of artwork being created within the art center. A clean glass box becomes a gallery space, dark brick provides a contrasting background, and a triangulated scrim adjusted to accommodate seasonal sunlight ties the elements together. The resulting forms and spaces create a cohesive experience that facilitates creativity while providing an asset to the college and community.

Architect: TACKarchitects
Photography: Tom Kessler