The Washington Pavilion started as a school in 1879. The building has one classroom and a hallway, as it was when it was Washington High School. I loved looking at all the histories of Washington High School. There are pictures of former students and trophies, and more. Portions of the building are made from native Sioux quartzite and have stood for almost 100 years. The building has the original marble staircases within the 1922 building, which now houses the Kirby Science Center. The building is a Neoclassical Structure and is an architectural landmark listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The last class to graduate at Washington High School was the class of 1992. In 1992 the Sioux Falls City Commission established the Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science Advisory Board. In 1999 the Washington Pavilion became the first facility in America to house a visual arts center, performing arts center, and a science center in one building. The Washington Pavilion became a fantastic art and science center through grants, bonds, and volunteers.
I loved the Kirby Science Discovery Center, one of the region’s best hands-on science centers. I loved looking at their 65 million-year-old Tyrannosaurus Rex replica. They have a machine you can go into to feel the effects of a tornado. Your hair will get exceptionally wind-blown in the tornado machine. Children can learn about psychics, earthquakes, bees, hang gliding, etc. They have a NASA area where your child can put his head in a space suit. The Kirby Discovery Science Center is informative, educational, and exceptionally interesting for young children.
I was very impressed with their Performing Arts Center. Workers gutted the old auditorium, stage, and gym to make a unique new auditorium. The hall is six stories tall, 99 feet wide, and 160 feet long. The acoustics are exceptional. Sound bounces off of quartzite panels. The orchestra level seats 1000, the mezzanine seats 500 + and the balcony 250+.The total seating capacity is about 1900 people. They also have a Wells Fargo Cino Dome Theather that holds 172 people. Their Belbas Theater holds about 300 people. They host a variety of programs in the Husby Performing Arts Center, such as musical ensembles, lectures, and piano recitals.
The Visual Arts Center displayed Mark W. McGinnis’s works. He works primarily in black acrylic ink and watercolor. I was impressed with his Third World Ties art exhibit. I also liked his Designs of Faith Art. He put a lot of time and study into all of his artwork.
The Visual Arts Center is one of only three accredited by the American Association of Museums in South Dakota. The Community Learning Center allows students ages eight to 18 to excel in the performing arts through music and theater. The Washington Pavilion has action art and science. You can have hands-on learning experiences in science, skills, and performing arts.
The Washington Pavilion is a beautiful place to learn more about the arts and science. I highly recommend spending a day or an afternoon at the Washington Pavilion. You can watch a movie or a piano recital performing arts and learn more about science.
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