Hundreds of art students and faculty joined dancers, musicians, and local dignitaries in the brilliantly lit central foyer of the Visual Arts Building on Oct. 7 to dedicate the new building.

Eight years in the making, the dazzling new structure, which is located on the arts campus on the west side of the river, replaces the university’s original art building that was wrecked in the flood of 2008. Designed by world-renowned architect Steven Holl, the Visual Arts Building has already generated wide acclaim as a work of art in itself that will inspire artists for years to come.

“This is a very original building and a huge success,” Holl said at the ceremony, adding that it is a “gift to future generations.”

Editor’s note: The University of Iowa will celebrate the grand opening of the Voxman Music Building on Oct. 21. For more details, visit inspire.uiowa.edu.