Pump House Center for the Arts host art show for local high school students

Shelby Reeves, Chillicothe Gazette
·3 min read

CHILLICOTHE— Art lovers enjoyed pizza and refreshments on the opening night of the Best of Ross County Art Show on Thursday, hosted by the Pump House Center for the Arts.

The show was originally going to open a week earlier but was moved due to weather.

The Pump House has been bringing art to the community for 30 years. "We try to include a large variety of local artists," said John Payne, Pump House Center for the Arts Director.

Patrons enjoy the work made by students.
Patrons enjoy the work made by students.

The show features over 85 pieces from students from Chillicothe High School, Unioto, Southeastern, Adena, and the Ross County Christian Academy. Artists used a variety of mediums such as pottery, acrylic paint. graphite pencil, and much more. The art pieces also featured a variety of subjects from pop culture and animals to architecture and quotes.

Harley Bane showcased a piece titled Sunset Gaze. The piece features a man walking across the street as the sun sets behind the buildings.

"It was perfect timing, I felt really lucky," said Bane.

Bane was also awarded honorable mention for a different work she submitted to the gallery.

Halle Uhring showcased a graphite pencil piece titled Still Life. "It was supposed to be what was sentimental to me," said Uhring. The piece featured a stuffed bunny she made when she was younger at Build-A-Bear Workshop, her mom's old denim jacket she had given her, a picture of her and her sister, and some jewelry.

Eden Stout showcased an acrylic piece titled Too Close to the Surface which she won honorable mention for. The large piece showed koi fish swimming in the water, something Stout says she often doodles in her notebook.

"It is probably one of my favorite works and one I am most proud of," said Stout.

Payne passed out the ribbons and prizes for the night. Unioto High School also received $200 for its arts department for their student winning best in show.

All pieces in the show were judged by Bob Eisnaugle, a member of the Southern Hills Art Council in Jackson and a former art teacher. During judging the names of all participants were kept hidden to keep everything fair.

Indiyan Spetnagel was awarded Best in Show. Her prize was presented by Dustten Alley, Atomic Credit Union Branch manager
Indiyan Spetnagel was awarded Best in Show. Her prize was presented by Dustten Alley, Atomic Credit Union Branch manager

Winners:

  • Best in Show- Indiyan Spetnagel- Acrylic Paint- Ophelia

  • 1st place- Savannah Fout- Colored Pencil- Midnight Sky

  • 2nd place- Josie Vallette- Video- In My Mind

  • 3rd place- Corbin Demint- Watercolor- Unfamiliar

Honorable Mentions:

  • Allison Gozy- Pencil- Chillicothe

  • Allison Gozy- Pencil- Lexi

  • Kayla Sines- Paper- Secretary Bird

  • Eden Stout- Acrylic Paint- Too Close to the Surface

  • Breanna Reno- Acrylic Paint- Tweet Tweet Wind-Up Toy

  • Maddie Waller- Watercolor- What's on the Menu

  • Harley Bane- Oil on Canvas- Clown Games

  • Morgan Park- Mixed- Inside my Head

Some of the pieces in the gallery are available for purchase with the money being split between the Pump House and the artist who created the piece.

If you missed the opening night there is no need to worry as the show will continue to run for free through the end of the month.

Both levels of the Pump House Center for the Arts were filled with pieces.
Both levels of the Pump House Center for the Arts were filled with pieces.

The next show featured at the Pump House will be a Pioneer Art Show featuring pieces made by those attending the Pioneer school. To learn more about the Pump House Center for the Arts and all they offer visit their Facebook page.

The exhibit and prizes were sponsored by The Atomic Credit Union.

Shelby Reeves is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. You can email her at SReeves@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Pump House Center for the Arts host Best of Ross County art show