The Sowell family moved to the house near the corner of Avenue J and Sixteenth Street in 1944. Their neighbors were the Smith sisters, whose house was later replaced by St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. Shortly thereafter rooms on the second story of the Sowell House were rented out to male students in attendance at SHSTC.
In 1967 the Art Department began using the structure for life drawing and painting classes.
Also known as Studio II, the Fine Arts Lab was used for three years. The building was demolished by the early 1980s.
Art classes were also held at the Fine Arts Main Studio during this time.
