Movable walls, a shifting stage and rooms that morph from cafe to classroom to gallery: If there's one word to describe the new Dahl Arts Center, it's "flexible."

"Spaces are rarely dedicated for one thing," said Linda Anderson, executive director. "Everything is designed for maximum flexibility. Even the galleries - they're used for receptions and rentals and all sorts of things."

After a 16-month renovation project and years of planning and fundraising, the new Dahl will finally be dedicated this weekend.

The full project cost $7.2 million, with $3.7 million provided by Vision 2012 funding.

"A lot of the flexibility and the additional things we've been able to put in here are directly due to the generosity of the community. People have really come through for this project and been on board for years," Anderson said. "It's a great investment of public money."

The new Dahl - now 39,000 square feet - features an event center, five galleries, an education and office complex, space to store and prepare exhibits, a new lobby and space for a future museum shop.

Features such as a loading dock, oversized elevator, eight-foot doors and a gallery with a 14-foot ceiling mean that the Dahl will be able to accommodate more and larger exhibits.

Visitors will still see glimpses of the old Dahl building - the brick and stairs from the old entrance have been retained as a sculpture stand, and the 1970s rounded exterior brick peeks out occasionally in the corners of the new interior, with the curves mimicked in the walls and ceiling.

"One of the things I love is how they exposed these curves and brick and they left these little homages to the original architecture," Anderson said, crediting Fred Thurston and Heather Redder of Four Front Design for incorporating the old exterior.

The colors are light and bright throughout, and the floors are a natural, sealed concrete.

"The idea is that the art will pop and the floor and the walls will disappear," Anderson said. The floors are "more interesting in the old building, because there are a lot of character marks. We decided to go that way because it's incredibly low-maintenance and incredibly flexible with the kind of movement of equipment we do.

"When people talked about the Dahl before we started in design, the things that they didn't like was that it seemed fort-like and dark. Just changing to these neutral palettes - the light wood, getting some natural light in the spaces - people think it's a huge change, but it's really about color and light," Anderson said.

After the dedication and celebration, it's time for the "real work," Anderson said.

"I think we're all a little bit anxious to get to that next step. We've been fundraising for the building for so long. Now to be able to concentrate on the operations will be a luxury," she said.

Throughout the planning and renovations, the Dahl relied on the community decision-making process, Anderson said.

"You have to build what the community needs and sometimes that doesn't come by a straightforward planning process," she said. "I have this huge belief in the public process. You might not get everything you want right away. But for the arts, this is a really good step for Rapid City. It puts us on the map in so many ways."

Here is a look at the renovated Dahl Arts Center, which will be dedicated this weekend. Construction began in April of 2007. The old Dahl structure has been remodeled, and the center has expanded into the old Montana-Dakota Utilities building on Kansas City Street, for a total of 39,000 square feet.

Event center

Among the most versatile spaces in the new Dahl is the John T. Vucurevich Event Center.

"When we did our business planning, one of the things we heard was that there was a need downtown for flexible spaces, so this has been designed to be used for business trainings, or to seat about 210 people at a sit-down dinner," said Linda Anderson, executive director.

With some rearranging, the center can seat 250 people on risers for plays and shows. The stage is portable and can be resized, even for theater in the round. Specialized acoustic curtains, a state-of-the-art light grid, a movable wall, blackout curtains and a multimedia screen make the possibilities almost endless.

"I was pleased and surprised to have a 50-piece band in here one week, then a duo the next week, and then the Well-Done Players; they're acoustic, and they could be heard, as well," said Darla Drew Lerdal, associate director.

"We can get incredibly sophisticated light shows and sounds," Anderson said. "We have an amazing amount of electricity in this space. We're excited to book it out and use it."

The backstage area features storage and a beverage counter. Close by is a catering kitchen, which will include a dishwasher, storage for dishes, microwave, warming oven, freezer and cooler.

The space can be rented for receptions, meetings and performing arts events.

Galleries

y The former Dahl theater has been converted into the new 2,100-square foot Sen. Stan Adelstein and Linda Clark Gallery, "the first of its kind in Rapid City," Anderson said.

Featuring a 14-foot ceiling, the gallery's first exhibit will be Stephen Knapp's "Lightpaintings," showcasing 11 large sculptures made of metal and dichroic glass that will interplay with halogen lights.

"The interesting thing about that show is that the gallery will be dark, and we'll light up the show," Lerdal said. "It will be a wow factor."

The gallery has a divider wall, a screen for multimedia shows and big overhead doors.

"Before, we couldn't bring in large sculptures or big installation pieces," Anderson said. "A lot of artists that previously haven't been able to participate here or participate very comfortably will be able to."

The loading dock and wide doors elsewhere in the Dahl will ease installation of larger pieces, too.

"Before, when we had to bring in art shows, we would generally only deal with the art for a few days because we didn't have anyplace to put it," Anderson said. "They would have to take off the doors, use a semi and a forklift. Six strong men would bring the crates in. We would unpack them in the galleries, which meant the galleries would have to be closed down. It didn't give a lot of time to interpret the art or create teacher resources."

y The Ruth Brennan Gallery, named for the Dahl's first director, got new walls to replace the brick and track lighting.

"These are specially built walls that can be pounded into and repaired all the time, because that's what we do," Anderson said. "You need to be able to hang art safely, which is hard to do on brick."

The gallery is also climate-controlled. "The visual arts complex is all about taking care of the art," Anderson said.

The first exhibit will be Rapid City native and abstract artist Ross Rudel's "Green Man Resurrected."

y The Inez and Milton Shaver Gallery is an open gallery space, which will be exhibiting "The Art of Personal Adornment," an exhibit of jewelry and wearable art.

"When we think of this space, it will be a community space, with exhibits by high school students, middle school students, Black Hills Workshop - they can have their art in here because it can be exposed to light," Lerdal said.

"The gallery has about the same hanging space it did before, it's just more open and light," Anderson said.

It's closest to the new entrance and lobby, which features a main desk that will serve as the box office. Tickets for community arts events will be for sale, along with something new: gallery admission. For nonmembers, entrance will be $2.50.

"We will have free days, however," Anderson said. "And the first Saturday of each month will be free."

y A children's interactive gallery, which will open in the spring, will be jam-packed with activities: a magnetic wall with puzzles of the Dahl's permanent collection of art, a small performance stage with curtains and costume boxes, mirrors with leashed pens so kids can create self-portraits and frames with "sticky stuff in the middle so kids can create art and just put it right up on the wall," Anderson said.

y The Cyclorama Gallery, featuring the 200-foot continuous mural of American economic history painted by Bernard Thomas, got new flooring, ceiling and lighting. The next phase in the Dahl project will add new interpretation features to the mural.

"Our hope for the future is that we make this a more significant viewing for the public," Anderson said.

Basement

The basement area is devoted to storing and preparing exhibits.

"We've never been able to hold onto exhibits or have them early. This allows us to bring in exhibits and ship them at a time that's most advantageous," Anderson said. "It's important to be able to hold onto things in a safe way."

The area features a "clean room," a dust-free space where white-gloved curators will work on high-security pieces, and a "dirty room," where any painting, sawing or pounding might take place.

"You want to keep that kind of activity isolated from where you're unpacking the art," Anderson said.

The 140 pieces of the Dahl's permanent collection will be stored here, as well, in a climate-controlled, fireproof, humidity-controlled space.

"Before, the art was all in a closet," Anderson said. The pieces will be displayed throughout the building at various times.

Education complex

The Dahl's education and office complex wing (the old MDU building) has been in use for about a year. Among the spaces:

y Bruce H. Lein Cultural Cafe & Gallery, currently showcasing part of the Dahl's permanent collection of art, is at the front of the building, which faces Kansas City Street.

"This space, what we envision is that it can be set up like a gallery … but we can also take this out and put in small cafe tables and chairs. There's wireless Internet. This space can be used for small performances and receptions and meetings," Anderson said.

y A pottery studio has professional equipment, along with floors that can get wet, a splash guard on the wall, a drying area and separate kiln room.

"Before, the kilns were right in the center of the classroom," Anderson said.

Artists can buy a studio card, and when they have shown proficiency, can use the equipment. They are also able to store their supplies onsite.

"We are able to accommodate pottery artists and clay artists in all phases of their work," Lerdal said.

y A teacher preparation area allows for classes to be scheduled closer together.

y A painting and drawing classroom has a special ventilation system to handle odors from materials such as turpentine.

"Now, that might not seem like such a big deal, but in the old building … it would go through the ventilation system throughout the whole building, and we would all share in the experience," Anderson said. "This is much healthier."

y A children's classroom has adjustable tables and storage.

"In the old building, the classroom was in the basement, so children in wheelchairs had to be carried downstairs or we had to accommodate people in the galleries," Anderson said. "Not it's really excellent having handicapped-accessible bathrooms and all the access we need."

y Upstairs is an open office space with big windows facing Kansas City Street, with a view of downtown.

"We've found that since we moved to this building, we feel very connected to downtown," Anderson said. "In our old building, we were all very, very cramped. We're a lot more productive in these spaces. And it's great having light," Anderson said.

There is extra space for arts groups that have service memberships with the Dahl to come and get help with mailings, Web sites and grant work.

"There's no lack of great things going on in Rapid City in the arts," Lerdal said. "The main problem is getting the word out and promoting it in a very meaningful way so that people go. It's been part of our mission for three years to do that."

Future improvements

Still in the works are a museum shop (the space will be used for small exhibits and gatherings, for now); café tables and chairs in the lobby; a "pocket park" on the lawn, featuring three platforms for receptions and small performances, electricity to the street and outdoor movies; and improvements to the Cyclorama.

All of the spaces have been designed with a goal of accreditation by the American Association of Museums, a process that takes about five years and could mean more national exposure and a chance at bigger exhibits and grants, Anderson and Lerdal said.

If you go

What: Dahl Arts Center grand opening

When: Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 17 and 18

Where: 713 Seventh St.

VIP reception on Saturday, Jan. 17 (black tie, by invitation only):

y 5:30 p.m. - Reception begins

y 6 p.m. - Dedication of John T. Vucurevich Event Center

y 6:30 p.m. - Dedication of galleries

Those invited may call 394-4101, Ext. 204, to confirm.

Public reception on Saturday, Jan. 17:

y 7 p.m. - Reception opens in lobby and galleries. (Black tie optional.)

y 8 p.m. - Building dedication ceremony in the John T. Vucurevich Event Center

y 8:30 p.m. - Sugar Free Jazz featuring Mike Reardon, Terry Rathbun and Shawn Parker; John T. Vucurevich Event Center. Additional entertainment will be provided by Barefoot Dance Studios, Central High School Chamber Quartet and Mila Gilleland.

Three new exhibits will open: "Lightpaintings" by Stephen Knapp in the Senator Adelstein & Lynda Clark Gallery, "Green Man Resurrected" by Ross Rudel in the Ruth Brennan Gallery and "The Art of Personal Adornment" in the Inez & Milton Shaver Gallery.

Tickets for the public reception are free, but required. Call 394-4101, Ext. 200 (limit four per caller).

Events on Sunday, Jan. 18:

y 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Art adventures for kids, building tours, punch and cookies, artists' talks. Physics professor Andy Johnson will have flashlight and filter play to go with the "Lightpaintings" exhibit.

y 3 p.m. - Artist Ross Rudel will speak about his exhibit, John T. Vucurevich Event Center. Kids can play the guessing game of "Name That Inspiration."

The event is free; no tickets or reservations are required.

Coming up:

What: Winter Music Series

When: Saturday, Feb. 7 - Willson & McKee, a Celtic and acoustic music duo; Saturday, Feb. 21 - Abbey Road, a Beatles tribute band; Saturday, March 7 - Spooncat Harris, featuring Jeremy and John Hegg. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; shows start at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets: $12 in advance for Dahl members; $16 day of show. Children under 12 are $8. Call 394-4101.

Where: John T. Vucurevich Event Center, Dahl Arts Center.

Contact Deanna Darr at 394-8416 or deanna.darr@rapidcityjournal.com