Chillicothe — The first of three “Juneteenth” events this month focused on art and symbolism. The Pump House Center for the Arts had their opening night Thursday, featuring quilts and a competitive art show.
The actual date of Juneteenth will be celebrated in Yoctangee Park on June 19th, with food, fun, music, and crafts to help “celebrate as a united community.”
The big Juneteenth event will be June 22nd in the Majestic Performing Arts Center, featuring poets, music of all kinds, and a Civil War re-enactor.
Juneteenth marks the very final end of slavery in the United States, when freedom was finally enforced on June 19, 1865 in the furthermost reaches of the Confederacy.
Two of the “Kuuma Quilters” who have worked with the King Arts Complex in Columbus participated in the opening. Cynthia Catlin of Dayton and Monica Scott of Columbus explained the symbolism and construction of the quits on display, most of which are theirs. Hear them in their own words in both videos below.
Damianne Fischer, an artist from Delaware, Ohio, returned to the Pump House with more art. She explains two of her sculptures – as well as her homemade dress – in her video below.
The Pump House show is open through June 28th. Learn more in my Juneteenth preview story, and find information on the Pump House Facebook page and website. See more samples of the art in my sideline photo essay.
Samples of the show at the Pump House:
