What began as a competition of generosity resulted in a $20 million, beautifully renovated venue to share student art.

The Beta Theta Pi fraternity house, 220 N. Burrowes St., will host a student art showcase today as part of November's First Thursday events, said Katie O'Toole, the director of First Thursday.

Ken Rawley, the executive director for the Abbey Leadership Foundation, who oversees the Beta Theta Pi house, said he was surprised when he discovered that Penn State student art was not being showcased in First Thursday events.

After approaching John Bowman, an associate professor at the School of Visual Arts, and discovering that students do not have a showcase for their art, he suggested using the recently remodeled Beta Theta Pi house.

"I thought it would be kind of fun to bring some culture into the house," he said.

The fraternity house is a work of art by itself, Rawley said.

After a $3 million donation from Don Abbey, Class of 1970, the house has now been completely refurbished inside.

The renovated house will host student works today from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in one of the main first-floor rooms, Rawley said.

The art on display this evening will be paintings and photographs by students in the art department, O'Toole said.

As for future First Thursday exhibits, Rawley said they hope to eventually put student sculpture works on display.

"Fraternities have to be involved in the community," Abbey said.

"This art show is part of the beginning in how we want to develop the fraternity system."

Rawley added that by hosting the student art showcase in the Beta house, the fraternity is offering a way for students to "see painting and photographs in a gorgeous setting."

O'Toole added that the new venue looks incredible.

"The chairs that the fraternity brothers sit on are replicas of those in the White House," she said.

The original remodeling of the Beta Theta house began three years ago, after Abbey said he was motivated by the Paterno's to donate to the university.

"I've donated about $3 million to date," Abbey said.

"My pledge is about $3 to $4 million."

O'Toole said she is excited that students' art will be showcased because most other First Thursday venues show professionals' works.

"I love the idea of students getting involved and having a part in First Thursday," she said.