Bloomfield College Community Celebrates the Center for Technology + Creativity

By Alicia Cook

The Center for Technology + Creativity has officially opened just in time for the start of the fall semester. The Bloomfield College community celebrated the milestone on September 8 with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.

The multi-level, 26,000-square-foot facility was part of an extensive renovation project that transformed the College's previous student center into an impressive new home for the College’s award-winning Division of Creative Arts & Technology (CAT.)

Members of the Bloomfield College Board of Trustees, Bloomfield Township officials, including Deborah Collins, Deputy County Administrator/Director of the Essex County Office of Small Business Development and Affirmative Action, associates of Natoli Construction and Roxbury Engineering Associates, and John Fallon and Elizabeth Pacheco of the architectural firm Fallon and Pacheco, gathered together with Bloomfield College faculty, students, and alumni in the new black box studio in the Center for the afternoon event.

“It is my pleasure to welcome you to this dedication ceremony. Bloomfield College is proud, not only to dedicate this wonderful Center for Technology + Creativity, but to stand in the forefront of multiple disciplines that have come together, to nourish each other and grow together,” remarked Richard A. Levao, Bloomfield College President. “Today, advances in technology challenge and inspire the next generation of artists, bringing forth daring creativity, reflective of modern living and modern concerns, both to life and to public awareness. Creative options only expand with new technologies.”

Levao publicly acknowledged John Fallon and Elizabeth Pacheco for creating an endowed scholarship for CAT students at the College.

The College’s newest building, complete with exposed brick and a lot of natural sunlight, is equipped with the latest technology, giving future game designers, videographers, animators, interactive designers, music techs, and graphic designers a remarkable space to break creative boundaries.

“It is surreal to stand in this building we’ve been talking about forever,” said Assistant Professor Yuichiro Nishizawa. “Today, we celebrate our history and progress in our new home. We will now be able to accomplish all the things we’ve dreamed of and experience achievements we have never imagined.”

The building conveniently connects directly to the College's Scott Kaplan Art Gallery and a motion capture studio in the Library and features studios for graphic design, 2D/3D and stop motion animation, expanded media, drawing and painting, green screen filming, and fabrication. The facility also houses labs for game development and music technology, as well as an open computer lab and collaborative studio, screening and editing rooms, a black box studio for student performances, and an ensemble recording studio and control room.

“My experience at Bloomfield College has been unbelievable,” said Maya DeJesus ’17, who transferred to the College after hearing about its competitive CAT division. “I wouldn’t have gotten this far without the faculty and staff of Bloomfield College. Now, with this building, students will have even easier access to materials and that will make their education even more memorable.”

DeJesus is studying game development and has been building up her resume with internships and teaching experience.

The Center for Technology + Creativity will help the Creative Arts and Technology division remain a state-of-the-art program in the country in fields such as animation, game design, digital video, and music technology.

"We appreciate your faith in Bloomfield College students,” said DeJesus, to the packed crowd. “We will continue to make you proud.”

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