Forbes Center for the Performing Arts

The Forbes Center for the Performing Arts at the James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA, is a major performance venue designed to perfection. With its soaring floor-to-ceiling glass lobbies, state-of-the-art auditoriums and polished plaster finishes by Senza Finé the center is worthy of a standing ovation.

As an incredible demonstration of the longevity of polished plaster finishes, specialist applicators from Senza Finé revisited the Forbes Center for a simple rewax and polish, with the project originally completed over thirteen years ago for Hanbury Evans Wright Vlattas + Company. The center houses five performance venues including the 450-seat mainstage theater, finished in over 4,000 square feet of Texston Veneciano lime plaster.

A fine lime paste plaster, Veneciano creates a smooth wall finish with naturally occurring color variation. Giving surfaces a sense of depth and motion, the finish achieved can range from matte to a slick, high polished sheen. The lobby space outside the theater is also finished by Senza Finé with Armourcoat Duturo – a tough, hard-wearing marble and acrylic architectural coating. Designed for spray application, and suitable for both interior and exterior use, Duturo creates a durable textured stone-like finish. It is ideally suited to corridors and high traffic areas where good aesthetics, value and durability are the key requirements.