By Sebastian Komaritsky ’25
TPACC, short for Thomas Perakos Arts and Community Center, donated by Thomas Perakos ‘69 and Johnathan Tisch ‘72, is a state-of-the-art 32,000-square-foot building that opened on May 4th, 2022. Visitors to TPACC are greeted on the left with a multipurpose room that is mainly used as a museum for students’ artworks or other artists. To the right is a big lounge area with a fireplace, four cushioned chairs, and a long table, as well as seating by the huge windows that encapsulate TPACC reaching from ceiling to floor. As one keeps walking from the entrance, they are greeted by art displayed on the wall by students, the music classroom, and the practice rooms to the right. Further on the left is the art classroom, and to the right is a multipurpose room. The downstairs areas of TPACC include another lounge area, a ceramic classroom, photography class spaces, a large practice room, and another music classroom.
All those rooms are impressive, but the biggest and best part of TPACC is the theater. The whole community congregates several times a week in the theater to express our spirit and community. The theater is also home to the musicals and plays that the school’s theater department handles. Many musicians and artists benefit greatly, like Shannon McCormack ‘25 , a singer and actor. “It’s a great place for musicians and actors to work on their skills and benefit from the facilities.” Students can use TPACC to their advantage when they have a free period or during study hall with permission. TPACC is rarely empty because it is such a popular spot for the Frederick Gunn community, from students hanging out to music class, to school meetings to events hosted by other people like Common Ground. TPACC is an important part of student life and the community within the school.
