Fetterman Brings Expertise to Santa Fe's New Fine Arts Hall

June 9, 2011

We've all seen the new Fine Arts Hall on campus, and are enjoying the prestige it brings to Santa Fe, but not many people know what goes on behind the scenes in that gorgeous state-of-the-art facility. One of the privileged few is Bob Fetterman, the Facilities Manager of the Fine Arts Hall.

Fetterman came to work at Santa Fe on April 1, just as construction on the Hall was completed. His title may be a bit of a misnomer, though. Fetterman does more than just manage the facilities. He helped open the building, and is intensely involved in its day-to-day operations, as well as special events.

"I'm very involved in all events here in the Fine Arts Hall, including duties you wouldn't think a typical facilities manager would handle," Fetterman said. "This is my third time opening a fine arts venue, and I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of it."

Fetterman said he was attracted to the position at Santa Fe partly due to by cultural climate of Gainesville, which has all but dissolved in the Daytona Beach area where Fetterman is from.

"Gainesville has a strong cultural life. I really appreciate and enjoy that. This town has a lot to offer that you just don't see in other areas much anymore," said Fetterman.

Originally from Cleveland, Fetterman comes to Gainesville from Daytona Beach where he worked for the News Journal Center, a two-theatre fine arts complex. Prior to the News Journal Center, Fetterman worked for the Seaside Music Theatre in Daytona Beach.

"I worked at Seaside for seven summers in a row, moving back to Ohio in between. My first summer at Seaside I was a painter, and by the following summer, I was resident scenic designer," Fetterman explained.

When he does have time away from the hectic schedule of the Fine Arts Hall, Fetterman enjoys being outdoors. But, work calls more often than not, and Fetterman is very proud of the function that the Fine Arts hall has to offer both students and the community.

"The Hall offers flexibility of function and space. The dance studio can also be used as an event space, and opens to the outdoors," Fetterman said. "This is not just a performance venue. We're attracting solicitations from several high profile philanthropic events that are staples in the Gainesville community."

As for his long-term goals at SF and for the Fine Arts Hall, Fetterman would like to see courses offered in Theatre Business, an area which would appeal to students seeking a happy marriage between their passion for the arts and the practicality of a business degree.

"We've got the amazing learning laboratory at our fingertips; why not use that to our advantage?" Fetterman said of the Fine Arts Hall. "I would love to see our events expanded, and bring in world-class performers to teach master classes and perform in the same space."

The next event Fetterman will manage in the Fine Arts Hall is the Premiere opening in September, which will likely play to a packed house and will unveil all the Fine Arts Hall has to offer to the Gainesville community.

For more information about Santa Fe's new Fine Arts Hall, contact Bob Fetterman at robert.fetterman@sfcollege.edu.