The Dwan Light Sanctuary, a generous gift to the school from arts patron Virginia Dwan, opened in 1996. It was conceptualized by Ms. Dwan, and designed in collaboration with solar spectrum artist Charles Ross and architect Laban Wingert. The Dwan Light Sanctuary is located on the UWC-USA campus. While the campus is closed to the general public (except for announced events), guests may visit the Dwan Light Sanctuary by first stopping at the Welcome Center where campus security officers will provide directions and an access key.
The Dwan Light Sanctuary serves the UWC-USA campus and the public as a refuge from the pace, conflicts, and anxieties of daily living. The site was selected to capitalize upon the spectacular northern New Mexico light. The orientation and geometry of the building are derived from its alignment to the sun, moon, and stars. Projecting from a circular core are two apses each containing six large prisms mounted in sloping windows to capture light rays from sunrise to sunset.
Interacting with spectrums cast from the windows are spectrums from 12 prisms mounted in the roof that form broad ribbons of pure color which move with the revolving of the earth. Lunar spectrum can be seen on full moon nights.
A third apse window faces north and frames trees and sky during the day and the North Star at night. A line parallel to the axis of the earth goes from the center of the floor through the center of the North Star window.
The circular part of the building is 36 feet in diameter and reaches 23 feet in height. The floor dimensions represent solar and lunar proportions.
United World College-USA
P.O. Box 248
Montezuma, NM 87731
