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A Vision Brought to Life

Community Celebrates Official Opening of the Thomas S. Perakos Arts and Community Center

April 23 was an exciting and historic day for the school, as the community gathered to celebrate the official opening of the spectacular Thomas S. Perakos Arts and Community Center. Delayed two years due to the global pandemic, the event provided an opportunity for students, faculty, administrators, Trustees, and alumni to honor and thank in person lead donors, including Trustee Emeritus Jonathan Tisch ’72 and Thomas Perakos ’69, and all who helped to make this remarkable, 32,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art building possible.

“As we dreamed about a new building and a revitalized arts program, which became TPACC, we created a vision for the arts, with the hope of creating a program that asks students to learn to take public risks, to be makers not consumers, to be citizens who imagine a beautiful future without cynicism, to face failure with hope, and to develop rich community. That is what is happening inside of this amazing building,” Head of School Peter Becker said, recognizing the incredible work of the faculty, including Andrew Richards P’20 ’23, Visual Arts Chair, Lincoln Turner, Visual Arts faculty, Ron Castonguay, Director of the Arts and Music Director, and Kent Burnham, Director of Theatre Arts.

“From photography classes to jazz band to stage combat and ceramics-making, our students are taking risks, they are making art, and learning to appreciate it, too. What is happening today, day in and day out in this building, is helping our students learn and grow, in big and small ways — lessons and friendships that will stay with them for longer than the time they spend at The Frederick Gunn School, and we have many of you here today to thank for helping to make this possible,” Becker said.

On behalf of the school, he thanked the 89 donors who sponsored seats in the Tisch Family Auditorium in honor of family and friends, and the 18 donors who gave $100,000 or more, naming classrooms, practice rooms, and gathering spaces. He recognized the Class of 1968 who, in celebration of their 50th reunion, established the Norman R. Lemcke Community Room in honor of the late Norman R. Lemcke, Jr. P’78 ’84, a teacher, administrator, and dean from 1964-1975, for his dedicated service to the school and commitment to his students. Lemcke’s wife, Nancy P’78 ’84, and children,

Betsy Devries ’78 and Stephen, were in attendance at the ribboncutting. Becker recognized Perakos and the Class of 1969, who, in celebration of their 50th reunion, established the Perakos Family Cares Gallery in honor of Wallace H. Rowe III H’57 P’77 ’79, a beloved teacher and coach from 1957 to 1979, who was in attendance with his wife, Carol P’77 ’79, and their children, Marshall Rowe, Waddy Rowe ’77, and Heidi Rowe ’79.

Becker noted that some of the most generous donors to the building had asked to remain anonymous but the school was grateful to have many of them in attendance for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “In 2017, when we first set out to raise funds for an arts and community facility, this was just a hope; it was an idea,” he said, until donors stepped up to bring it to life, first and foremost among them, Perakos. Thank you, Tom, for serving as the catalyst for this project. I’m excited for the generations of students who will benefit from it and will see your name there forever.”

Becker recognized Richard C. Colton, Jr. ’60, who was unable to travel to the event, noting his diligence to the arts at the school was expressed years before the building took shape. “All along, Dick remained steadfast in his commitment to elevating the program and its home on our campus,” Becker said. “It is an honor to know that generations of Gunn students will do the awesome, messy work of creating and exhibiting art in the beautiful Richard C. Colton, Jr. Arts Wing.”

Becker recognized Jonathan Tisch ’72 and Steve Tisch ’67, whose gift established the beautiful, 415-seat Tisch Family Auditorium, which accommodates the entire school for School Meeting three times each week, and has already hosted plays, musicals, concerts, guest speakers, and other school and alumni events. “You and your family’s willingness to support the arts center in the early days was instrumental in signaling to our constituents that constructing this facility was our highest priority. Jon, you and Tom knew that it would completely change the way people think about what we are capable of as a school — and you were right. The Thomas S.

Arts

Community Center has set the bar high for all of our future projects. I am grateful to you and to Steve for giving us a beautiful auditorium to gather as a community in the way that Mr. Gunn always wanted 170 years ago,” Becker said.

Immediately following the dedication, guests attended a celebratory luncheon at Conroy House, followed by performances in the Tisch Family Auditorium by (from top) the Sherman Chamber Ensemble, Pilobolus, and the New Orleans Jazz Experience.

Rabbi Andy Bachman P’19, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Project in New York City, provided a blessing for the building and all of those who visit, work, and create in it. Board Chair Patrick Dorton ’86 read a resolution adopted by the Board of Trustees in celebration of the building’s official opening and with gratitude for the donors who invested in it. Dorton then joined Tisch and Perakos in cutting the ribbon outside the main entrance.

Speaking at the luncheon that followed the dedication, Perakos reflected that, as a student, he loved his experience at the school. “I’m soaring like an eagle today,” he said, his voice filled with emotion. “This building will be for all the children who follow me in the name of my beloved family, and I’m just overwhelmed, and so grateful that I was able to participate in this.”

“We’re now in such a better place thanks to the generosity of so many people that are here today, and especially Tom. The future is very bright here,” Jon Tisch said at the luncheon. “My brother, Steve, and I, we’re thrilled to be part of what is now the performing arts center, and we look to stay so involved, my wife, Lizzie, and I especially, for many, many years to come.”

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