Melissa Davis, academic grants officers at Salve Regina University, holds ribbons for the unveiling of new Antone Academic Center for Culture and the Arts, which was dedicated Sunday to Salve Regina University President M. Therese Antone. More photos on Page D2.

The Providence Journal / Frieda Squires

NEWPORT — Two renovated carriage house/stable complexes were dedicated Sunday as the new Antone Academic Center for Culture and the Arts at Salve Regina University.

The $9.5-million project was dedicated in the name of Sister M. Therese Antone, the university’s president since 1994. She is retiring as president next June. During her term, the university has won recognition for its work in historic preservation and the creation of the Cultural and Historic Preservation Department.

The new center will house performance areas, studios, offices, classrooms and laboratories for several departments. It is also home to the Community Preservation Laboratory.

The facility was created from Wetmore Hall, the original carriage house and stables for Chateau-sur-Mer, and Mercy Hall, the original carriage house and stables for Ochre Court, which is now the university administration building.