Aiken High School's new performing and visual arts auditorium celebrated with ribbon-cutting

ERIN WEEKS, Aiken Standard, S.C.
·3 min read

Jan. 5—A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Thursday afternoon to celebrate Aiken High School's new performing and visual arts auditorium.

The 750-seat venue is a $16 million Penny Sales Tax project, and a culmination of the school's long-term string of reconstruction projects.

Just The Facts

Aiken High School has been reconstructing its campus in phases as early as 2013. Here are some significant updates:

Phase One: two-story science classroom building and one-story field house were constructed. Completed in 2013.

Phase 2A: Two new buildings totaling 152,000 square feet were constructed, and included new classroom and dining areas. Completed in 2017.

Phase 2B: A new auxiliary gym was constructed, along with classrooms for art, sewing and child care, culinary arts, ROTC, band and chorus. Completed in 2019.

Phase 3: The James A. Taylor Gymnasium was renovated. Completed in 2020.

"It is definitely a show-stopper," said Corey Murphy, Chief Officer of Operations & Student Services for the Aiken County Public School District, of Aiken High School's new facility. "It is state-of-the-art, one of the finest in the area, one of the largest venues in the area dedicated to the performing arts."

Recognized as key partners in the completion of this project were LS3P Architectural Firm, H.G. Reynolds Construction Company and Aiken County Public School District's Facilities Construction team.

Aiken High Principal Alisa Hamrick talked about why she thinks the facility is important.

"There's just something about being on a stage that just brings something out in people and the experience of seeing live theatre ... it makes you feel like there's something bigger in the world."

Aiken High art teacher Tara Wessinger-Hanna, pointed out that the new facility features a professional art hanging system. Previously, students were using cafeteria tables to display their work.

"I've been able to just see the growth and change over so many years," she said. "I look forward to seeing all the wonderful things that come from our new auditorium."

Another teacher, music instructor Mickey Ratliff said, "Many students need music, theater, dance, the visual and the media arts in order to thrive and survive ... I know because I was one of them. In building this venue, you send a powerful message to our students and to our community that the arts are important, that they have value."

The new facility's impact reaches beyond Aiken High and is touching the community as well. Mabry MacGregor, director of the acGATEWAY Summer Arts Program, talked about how they'll use the auditorium in June to showcase youth talent.

"For decades, GATEWAY has bounced around nomadically from one school to another who were willing to host us in their cafeterias and gyms," said MacGregor. "This summer, for the first time, we will be able to provide ... students of our district with an experience that will show them the professional side of the performing and visual arts world."

Keviana Marshall, a senior at Aiken High, was invited to speak at the ceremony.

"It is so welcoming and so inviting," she said of the auditorium. Marshall, who has been acting since third grade, is an advocate for youth creative expression. "I know what it's like to have a stage be your outlet ... it's just a beautiful thing to watch it come together," she said.

Sophomore Kaori Ramirez-Goji said the stage is a place for students to find their voice.

"When I first came to the United States, I didn't know English because I had just moved from Mexico," she said. "Once I started doing theater, I felt like I could express myself in better ways ... I think it was third grade when I got my first ever solo ... that was [my] first time ever being up on a stage. Every time I'm on the stage I feel like I am myself."