Visual Arts Transformation

Inspiring Creativity

Burke-DiSanto Center for the Visual Arts Opens

Magnificat High School has an exciting new space for exploring the visual arts. Phase I of the Burke-DiSanto Center for the Visual Arts was completed for the opening of the 2022-2023 school year, expanding the footprint for visual art instruction, providing flexibility in configuring workstations, and modernizing classrooms that had not been updated in nearly 30 years. The project was made possible by a generous $2 million gift— the largest in Magnificat’s history—from Brittan Burke DiSanto ’79 and Fred DiSanto.

“We are thrilled to see this project come together so quickly, making a major impact on the experience of students taking visual arts classes at Magnificat,” Brittan said. “Our hope is that promising young artists find creative inspiration in this vibrant, new environment.”

Construction started immediately after school ended last June with the demolition of walls to open up the entryway, an area that was previously a hallway lined with administrative offices. New windows allow natural light to enter a gallery space filled with tables and seating designed to encourage student collaboration. Walls enclosing one old classroom were removed to create a large open space at the heart of the Center. Track lighting, freshly painted walls, polished concrete flooring, and modular furniture generate a bright, updated ambiance comparable to professional galleries and studios. The project was designed and completed by Fielding International, Payto Architects, and Regency Construction.

“When Brittan and Fred decided they were going to do this for Magnificat, they opened up for us a possibility that we had not really yet dreamed of,” President Moira Clark ’77 said. “We are deeply grateful for their vision and their commitment to this school.”

The facility was originally used for the on-campus living quarters for Sisters of the Humility of Mary faculty members. The Convent was renovated into art classrooms in 1993, and the space received only minor upgrades over the past three decades. Classrooms became increasingly cluttered as the number of courses offered increased, and there was limited space available for the display of student artwork. Three classrooms were left untouched and will be renovated in the second phase of the project, pending the completion of additional fundraising. Those classrooms are currently used for ceramics, jewelry making, photography, and studio art. The Magnificat community has been challenged to raise an additional $1 million to fund Phase II, and when this goal is reached, the DiSantos will increase their gift to $2.25 million.

“We have already seen, in just a few months, the daily impact of this gift with our students as they gather in this beautiful space together,” said Vice President of Advancement Deborah Durbin ’81. “The DiSantos’ philanthropy is an inspiration to all of us, and we are grateful for the matching gift opportunity to broaden our base of support for the arts at Magnificat. Together, we can complete this project and honor our Mission to educate young women holistically.”

BEFORE

THANK YOU!

Magnificat High School is extraordinarily grateful to Brittan Burke DiSanto ’79 and Fred DiSanto (pictured left, with Judy Burke) for making the new Burke-DiSanto Center for the Visual Arts possible through a $2 million lead gift. Thank you to the following additional donors who provided support for this project: Dede Hickey Geib ’76 and Dan Geib Gina and Mike Trebilcock Jenny and Brian Walsh Anonymous (2)

If you are interested in supporting Phase II of the transformation of Magnificat’s Visual Arts classrooms, please contact Vice President of Advancement Deborah Durbin ’81 at ddurbin@maghs.org.