Pump House celebrates Juneteenth with art show

Shelby Reeves, Chillicothe Gazette
·2 min read
Several quilts are a part of the Pump House Center for the Arts June show. Many of the quilts came from The King Arts Complex in Columbus.
Several quilts are a part of the Pump House Center for the Arts June show. Many of the quilts came from The King Arts Complex in Columbus.

CHILLICOTHE— Yoctangee Park was full of life last week as people enjoyed the pool, played baseball, and marveled at local art as the Pump House Center for the Arts kicked off its annual Juneteenth show, Artists of Color.

Artists used mediums such as photography, quilting, mixed media and more. artists included local creators as well as some from Columbus thanks to a partnership between the Pump House and The King Arts Complex who provided many of the quilts on display.

One local artist, Andy Hayes, had two of his photos displayed in the upper part of the art gallery. These photos are of Yoctangee Park and are part of his collection of Chillicothe. Hayes calls Chillicothe his adult home and this collection has allowed him to see beautiful parts of the city.

"Thi is my home," said Hayes. "I just want to show it off."

While Hayes is mainly a photographer when it comes to art he calls his pieces digital paintings as he will often edit the colors to create a unique look.

Photographer Andy Hayes is one of the artists on display this month at the Pump House Center for the Arts.
Photographer Andy Hayes is one of the artists on display this month at the Pump House Center for the Arts.

See last year's Juneteenth show: Pump House Center for the Arts celebrates opening night of show celebrating Juneteenth

During this opening, the Pump House also celebrated young artists in grades four through eight with their own gallery. All the pieces came from students in Ross County schools who used mediums such as oil, pencil, mixed media and more. The pieces from students will be judged with winners receiving cash prizes.

Angela Young from the Pump House said it is important to encourage young artists so that they continue making art and so that the Pump House can have local artists for many years to come.

"Hopefully we can encourage our young people to be a part of this," said Young.

Several pieces in the show are available for purchase if you see one you like. The show will continue to run through the end of this month, giving people plenty of time to enjoy the artwork during the Juneteenth celebrations being held this month.

Shelby Reeves is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. You can email her at SReeves@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @Shelby_Reeves_

This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Pump House celebrates Juneteenth with art show