|
The Pump House Center for the Arts is housed in the former Pump House of the Chillicothe Water and Sewer Co. The Pump House was constructed in 1883 as a municipal pumping station for distribution of water from the deep well field located in Yoctangee Park to a reservoir situated on Carlisle Hill. In March 1977, the Pump House was placed on the Ohio History Inventory. On November 15, 1979, it was listed in the National Register of Historic Places kept by the U.S. Department of Interior. The Pump House was used by the Jaycees group for its annual Haunted House fund-raiser until it was condemned in 1984 as unsafe. A group of artists, preservationists, and an attorney formed a coalition to restore and preserve the building. In 1986, City Council designated the Pump House as part of the city’s Preservation District. Coursework was replaced, bricks were repaired, floors were poured, electricity and water was installed, and the walls were rebuilt. The rooms were transformed into a beautiful art gallery where works could be displayed. The Pump House is an example of Victorian Gothic architecture, featuring a large central tower, Palladian windows, common-bond brick, and a low-pitched, hipped slate roof.
The Pump House front desk is run by volunteers. Volunteers are asked to work one, 2 1/2 hour shift each month, or as often as they wish. For more information about becoming a volunteer, please contact us today!
You can have a wedding or a meeting anywhere...why not rent a piece of history? The Pump House is available for rental for your private event. It could be used for a wedding, wedding reception, business meeting, parties or showers. Call and ask us for rental information and our affordable hourly rates. Contact us to today to reserve the Pump House for your event! Download Rental Agreement
As a member of the Pump House, you will receive:
- Personal invitation to opening receptions for all Pump House exhibits.
- 10% discount rate for all inventory in the Gift Gallery.
- A subscription to our quarterly newsletter, The Primer.
- The satisfaction of knowing that you help cultivate the arts in our community.
Membership Levels
Student: $15
Senior (60+): $20
Individual: $30
Family: $50
Patron: $375+ (includes 1 free rental of Pump House)
Corporate: $750+ (includes 2 free rentals of Pump House)
Benefactor: $1,000+ (includes 3 free rentals of Pump House)
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Pump House, please contact us today!
Bout the Artist: Roger W. Downs was born in Columbus, Ohio. He spent most of his childhood in Eastern Tennessee. In 1980, he moved to Chillicothe. He graduated from Chillicothe High School in 1986. He has attended Ohio University-Chillicothe and The Ohio State University.
In 1987 Roger joined the U.S. Army and was stationed at Baumholder, Germany. It was during this time in the service that he met several artists. Three artists, Jeremias Luis Ochoa, Troy J Maier and Jean Andzulis were instrumental in Roger’s art education. As his high school peers attended various colleges, Roger served his country and visited numerous museums and galleries in the magnificent cities of Europe, which included London, Paris, Cologne, Frankfurt, Zurich and Amsterdam. He later visited the great galleries and museums of New York. The influences of modern art can be seen in many of his pieces today.
As a member of Greenpeace, Roger values the environment. His art is created using discarded and/or scrap metals. In his hands, unwanted materials become useful treasures and impressive art. Many items are discovered on area farms and some are found literally on the side of the road. With encouragement from family and friends, Roger began seriously producing sculptures in 1996. Other than vocational welding instruction from fellow craftsman, Bill Miller, Roger is selftaught. Using a variety of metal-working tools he manipulates the metal into striking pieces of furniture such as tables, chairs, plant stands and lamps as well as candle stands, bookends and hand railings. He seals some of the items with clear gloss enamel. He usually avoids adding color to his artwork; he feels the natural patina of the metal (be it polished and glossy or rough and rusted) is more appealing. While some may have a similar theme, each piece is a signed, one-of-a-kind original design.
Roger has been invariably fascinated with all things mechanical from his earliest experiences on his grandfather’s farm, working in his father’s cabinet shop and in the U.S. Army Engineers. He is inspired by his love for classic cars, trucks and motorcycles. He is also a musician. Roger enjoys playing many different styles of music being a skilled drummer and percussionist. As a drummer, Roger has developed not only custom drum stands, but a line of chimes based on found objects.
His love of nature is evident in many of his pieces, but as Roger notes “no sculpture can ever beat natures design”.
An affinity for camping, especially in the Hocking Hills area has allowed Roger to expand his spirituality like “a walk in the woods”. Roger’s work has been shown in numerous shows and festivals across Ohio where he has won several awards.
Roger currently resides in Greenfield with fellow artist Debbie Powell and numerous pets. To inquire about or purchase Rogers “Industrial Strength Art” call 937-409-8037 or 937-981-3964, or visit www.myspace.com/industrialstrengthart.
|
