The groundbreaking for the $2.2 million addition to the Tarble Arts Center including the unveiling of the addition plans took place outside the original building Sunday afternoon.

Michael Watts, director of the Tarble Arts Center, began the ceremony with a few words about the contributors to the new project including the benefits to the community the new building will bring.

Watts said the Tarble Arts center addition is more than just a vision and is meant to engage people in activities, solve current problems and increase possibilities at Eastern and in the community.

Watts thanked the Tarble family for their continued donations and contributions to the quality of art education at Eastern.

“It’s impossible to calculate the amount of human lives that have been touched by the Tarble’s contributions to Eastern Illinois University,” Watts said.

Other speakers at the ceremony included Interim President Lou Hencken, Board of Trustees Chair, Michael Watts, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Blair Lord, Dean, College of Arts and Humanities, James K. Johnson and President, Tarble Arts Center Advisory Board, Therese Kincade.

Hencken thanked the Tarble family not only for donating to help fund the new addition, but for their 28 scholarships annually awarded to outstanding Eastern students.

Anderson thanked everyone involved in the Tarble addition on behalf of the Board of Trustees and said the donations provide more than money, but also knowledge and opportunity.

After the groundbreaking the crowd gathered inside the Tarble Arts building for a reception and the unveiling of the plans for the new addition.

“The center has become a source of pride for the institution and the east central Illinois area,” Johnson said.