Paper cranes hang from the ceiling in long, colorful strands of yellows, reds and pinks. Two students criss-cross an intricate pattern of yarn on the front windows. Tables set up just when you step in contain half-installed works of art.

The Jordan College of Fine Arts Annex—also known as the JCX or the annex—is almost ready for its art show.

Many students will recognize the recently converted area as the former Jordan Academy of Dance, located next to Facility Services at the corner of Boulevard and 52nd Street.

The building contains four studios. Two will be dance studios and used mostly for physical well being classes. Currently, they’re rented to Dance Kaleidoscope.

The other two are the university’s first art studios for its art + design program.

Opened at the beginning of the semester, the two studios host the program’s more intensive programs. Next year, the annex will hold all of the art classes, including the core art class “Perspectives in the Creative Arts: Introduction to Visual Art.”

“The most important thing is that students can leave out their work while it’s in progress,” said Elizabeth Mix, associate professor of art history. “It has been the most challenging part of not having our own space.”

In addition, Mix said it’s nice to have rooms that are set up for art work, with sinks and storage closets for supplies.

“It’s just so beneficial to come in on my own time,” said Jasmine Gonsalves, a freshman art + design major. “We aren’t as confined in this space, and I think it will make the show more art-like.”

The new space has given them an entirely new art show to look forward to. To accompany ART NOW, Art at the Annex is open to the public Thursday and Friday.

Mix said that the show, as opposed to ART NOW, features installation pieces from the art + design program’s “space” and “function” classes. In addition, the program’s two thesis students, Laura Kramer and Daniel McCullough, present their final projects for the show.

“At the annex, we can do what we need to do because it’s our space,” Mix said. “It’s a flexible space to create the art show we’ve always wanted.”

Jordan College of Fine Arts students and faculty members will soon have more room for expression.

Renovations are under way to turn the former Jordan Academy of Dance building into the Jordan College of Fine Arts Annex.

About 50 percent of the space in JCX will be dedicated to the art + design program, with the other half available for dance studio space and other JCFA functions starting next fall.

Elizabeth Mix, an associate professor of art, said that gaining two large spaces—one that will serve as a studio and the other as a classroom—will allow art + design students to work in a dedicated space.

“We desperately needed actual art studios,” she said. “We were making art in music rooms, and that’s not really conducive to making art.”

The move will also allow art faculty members to have offices together that are close to their classrooms. Currently their offices are spread around the Fairbanks Building while most of the classes are taught in Lilly Hall.

While the walk to the building may be a little longer, Mix said the move will benefit students.

“Students who are here right now realize that they don’t have this kind of space,” she said.

Laura Kramer, a senior strategic communication and art + design major, said having to move projects around and empty a room at the end of class can hurt the artistic process. Other than simply being a place to store art, the new studios will help with this routine.

“You’ll be able to know that it’s going to be a creative environment, and you’ll be surrounded by other students who are also working,” she said.

Ben Fox, a junior philosophy and art + design major, said that it can be difficult to work on art projects in dorm rooms or around other people. He said the new space will attract more students to the program and help the existing students work better.

“Quality goes up when you have space to work in,” he said. “You get a lot more thoughtful work.”