Carl Titolo, an SVA faculty member since the 1970s and currently an instructor in the MFA Illustration as Visual Essay Department, is inviting the public to share his passion for Italy in an exhibition of his work. The exhibition, simply titled Titolo, includes small-scale composites that depict the diversity of Italy’s landscape. According to Mr. Titolo, the work captures “The lush hills and valleys below the peaks of Cutigilano to the panoramic coast of Sorrento overlooking Mt. Vesuvio . . . it’s an ongoing search to capture the heart, soul and stomach of Italy.” Titolo is on view September 21 – November 23 at Project Room 88, located at 20 East 88 Street. For more information, call 212.360.6310.

Image: Cutigliano (1991), by Carl Titolo

This summer’s major construction project at SVA, the complete rebuilding of the offices of Continuing Education, the Registrar, and Financial Aid at 209 and 205 East 23 Street, is finished. For all the pummeled sheetrock and demolished hardware that initiated this “gut renovation,” the job is a smashing success. The renovations, spearheaded by the Office of Facilities Management, were intended to provide the respective offices with better layouts; improve the efficiency of their operations; and ultimately improve the experience of everyone who uses the spaces, including students, faculty and staff.

The new spaces have a sleek, contemporary ambience and radiate a crisp functionality. But no one could possibly mistake these offices for anything other than what they are: the operational hub of an esteemed, tradition-rich institution of art education. To underscore this effect, the walls of several areas, especially the Registrar’s office, are emblazoned with the famous SVA subway posters. The posters, selected and installed by staff from the Visual Arts Museum, combine to form a visual timeline of SVA and are representative of various eras, disciplines, and faculty-artists at the College.

In another key part of this renovation, the mezzanine of 209 East 23 was transformed into a sparkling new complex, christened the Data Center. Here, the Office of Administrative Computing has consolidated essential elements of its operation, including the servers that power the College’s Internet, e-mail, and Colleague (database) applications. Offices for some Administrative Computing staff are also part of the new Data Center. These computing functions have been centralized in order to improve their security and operation, and to accommodate future expansion of the technology training facilities.

Another aspect of the renovation is the newly created faculty office on the lower level of 209 East 23 Street. SVA faculty members now have a place exclusively for themselves, equipped with a computer, fax machine, and more. For the go-go professional faculty of SVA, this new facility will undoubtedly prove to be a welcome addition.

Images: The new Registrar’s office; Photographer: Michelle Mercurio