HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — For four decades, the visual arts program at Marshall University has sought a permanent home. Now the center is open for business at the newly renovated former Anderson Newcomb department store building.

At 3 p.m. today those associated with Marshall will make it official with a ribbon-cutting to mark the opening of the School of Art and Design’s Visual Arts Center. The six-floor building houses the classrooms for the program with a first-floor exhibition gallery and shop.

“We were space-bound on campus and could not grow,” College of Arts and Media Dean Donald Van Horn said. “We were bursting at the seams. This gives us the opportunity to grow the number of programs.”

The gallery will be open to the public Monday through Friday, but after today the upstairs classrooms will be off limits to anyone but Marshall students, who must have a special card to gain access.

The first exhibit, which also opens today, is called “We ART Marshall” and features works by the university artists and educators who were involved with the school of art.

An opening reception will follow the ribbon cutting from 4-5 p.m. with tours of all classroom spaces to follow.