THE ALMA THOMAS FINE ARTS CENTER houses The Sarofim School of Fine Arts, named for arts benefactor Fayez Sarofim of Houston. Erected in 1956 and gift of the late Mrs. Alma Thomas of Austin, Texas, a longtime trustee of the University, the three-story building contains two theaters, a recital hall, art gallery, offices, studios, practice rooms, and offices for the Art and Art History, Music and Theatre Departments.

In 1993, a thrust stage theater facility was completed on the north side of the Alma Thomas Fine Arts Center. The performance space, made possible by a grant from Houston Endowment Inc., is named for Jesse H. Jones and Mary Gibbs Jones. A hall of honor recognizing future generations of donors was made possible by the generosity of The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation. The foyer and theater lobby were made possible by alumni Genevieve Britt Caldwell, Louise Britt Carvey, Frank P. Carvey, Jr., and Dr. Turner M. Caldwell III, and Turner M. Caldwell, Jr. The green room, dedicated 180 to the memory of Dr. Nita Akin, an alumna, was given by alumnus J.W. Akin and family. Theater furnishings were funded by The Abell-Hanger Foundation of Midland and The Fondren Foundation of Houston. The scene shop was made possible through a trust by alumnus William G. Swenson and Shirley A. Swenson.

In 1999, an 18,000-square-feet addition to the Fine Arts Center was dedicated for the study of music and the visual arts. Made possible by a gift from Fayez Sarofim, it includes teaching studios for music, drawing and painting studios, a secure gallery, and faculty offices. The Wood-Avant Fine Arts Foyer is named for alumna Joan Wood Avant and her parents, Judge D.B. Wood and alumna Bernice Cooke Wood, through gifts from members of their family, alumnus J.R. "Slim" Avant, Jamie Avant Deyhle, Jim Forrest Avant, and Jeff Wood Avant.

A two-year, $10 million renovation to the Alma Thomas Theater is currently ongoing, and due to be completed during summer 2007. Other work completed during the renovation includes an upgraded rehearsal hall, practice rooms, and the constuction of new east and west entrances.

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