by Charles Hendricks | Dec 27, 2024 | architecture, Charles Hendricks, citizen architect, community, Empathy, Leadership, Local Leaders, Office Culture, Rotary, team
As we start a new year it is hard to resist the temptation to think about the difference we have made in this world. We are provided with many opportunities as architects to solve design challenges for our clients and friends. We get to find solutions that reduce impacts on our environment and improves resiliency for the future. It is an awesome profession if you are passionate about our world and all the living creatures on it. However, our work doesn’t have to stop at the built environment. We are part of a larger community and are able to use our social power and time for good. On January 1st we celebrate world day of Peace. At times it feels like we have almost no ability to make a large change and Peace is one of the largest.
The Rotary Club of Rockingham County took on the challenge to register existing Peace Poles in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County and to plant new ones. Rotary Clubs from across the valley are joining this effort let by our district Governor Bret Hrbek. We are seeing Peace Poles pop up across the valley with the words “May Peace Prevail on Earth.” The Rotary Peace Pole Project is a global initiative by Rotary International to promote peace and understanding among people of all cultures and backgrounds.
What is a Peace Pole?
A Peace Pole is a simple yet powerful symbol of peace. It is typically a pole with the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth” inscribed on it, often in multiple languages. These poles are installed in public spaces like parks, schools, and community centers.
The primary goal of the Rotary Peace Pole Project is to:
- Inspire Peace: To inspire individuals to think about peace and its importance.
- Promote Tolerance: To foster tolerance and understanding among different cultures and beliefs.
- Encourage Action: To encourage people to take action to promote peace in their communities and the world.
By planting Peace Poles, Rotary clubs and individuals contribute to a global network of peace and hope. These simple monuments serve as reminders of our shared humanity and the importance of working together for a peaceful future. Peace Poles are located in nearly every country around the world, including notable locations such as:
- The North Magnetic Pole
- The Hiroshima Peace Memorial
- The Egyptian Pyramids in Giza
- The Aiki Shrine in Iwama, Japan
Plant a Peace Pole
If you want to be involved in supporting additional Peace Poles in Harrisonburg or Rockingham County reach out to us and we can get you connected. If you want to plant a Peace Pole somewhere else in the world reach out and I will do my best to find the right connection for you. The more of us coming together promoting Peace the better world we will leave for our children. This may be the most important project I have taken on over my career and certainly the most important over the last year.
by Charles Hendricks | Nov 27, 2024 | artwork, citizen architect, community, First Friday, Harrisonburg Architect, Local Leaders, Office Culture
Our December First Friday Holiday party is a special time. We always look forward to our artists that are here for one night only. This month, we are really excited about the creations that Erika Cash will bring for you to enjoy.
Royal Knotz was created by Erika at the beginning of 2024 as a branch off of her crochet business that she has with her mother, Wistful Willows. Royal Knotz focuses on crochet patterns that Erika develops herself.
Erika Cash is a wife and mother of 3. She has been crocheting for 26 years. Erika can bring many things to life with just a ball of yarn and a hook and has been commissioned to make many one-of-a-kind items. She loves creating crochet patterns and watching others bring the patterns to life. Erika sees crochet as a way to express herself and relieve stress.
by Charles Hendricks | Nov 26, 2024 | artwork, citizen architect, community, First Friday, Office Culture
Here comes Santa Clause to the Depot. It is by far my favorite time of year and my favorite First Friday at the Depot. Santa will be in the building!!!
We are excited to partner with our Depot neighbors, R.S. Monger and Sons and Herr and Company to host an extra special holiday party and First Friday event! Mark your calendars and plan to stop by the Depot on Friday, December 6th between 5-7 pm to partake in the festivities.
The holiday spirit will be celebrated and shared as we listen to live music performed by Red Wing Academy, share our wish lists with Santa himself, and enjoy local artist creations. The festivities are numerous and will be held on both the second and first floors of the Depot. Santa will be on the first floor and available for you to take your own photos with. We will also have Red Wing Academy playing for your enjoyment. Artists for December will include Justin Poole and Erika Cash!
As always, this event is free and open to everyone! Food and refreshments will be provided. Visit the event page and RSVP here.
Did you know that Santa can be traced back to the 4th-century Christian Saint, Saint Nicholas. Born in modern-day Turkey, St. Nicholas was known for his generosity and kindness, often secretly giving gifts to the poor and needy.
Over time, stories about St. Nicholas’s generosity spread throughout Europe. In the Netherlands, he became known as Sinterklaas, a figure who brought gifts to children on December 6th. When Dutch settlers brought their traditions to New York, Sinterklaas evolved into Santa Claus.
The modern image of Santa Claus, with his red suit and sleigh pulled by reindeer, was popularized in the 19th century. Clement Clarke Moore’s poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (more commonly known as “Twas the Night Before Christmas”) and Thomas Nast’s illustrations in Harper’s Weekly helped to solidify this image.
While the exact origins of Santa Claus are shrouded in legend, his enduring popularity is a testament to the power of kindness, generosity, and the magic of Christmas.
by Charles Hendricks | Nov 25, 2024 | artwork, citizen architect, community, First Friday, Harrisonburg Architect, Holiday, Local Leaders, Office Culture
Each month at the Depot we feature new artwork (except for January and February) for First Friday Harrisonburg. This outreach with our community artists is to give them a platform to feature their work, but it is more than that for us. We invest in our community in a variety of ways and supporting local artists is one of the primary methods that we use to build a stronger and more vibrant community. These monthly events are just as much about the artists sharing their creations as it is the community coming out to see it, talk to each other, and to get to know each other. Our community is stronger and more resilient if we know our neighbors and celebrate beautiful creations together. So I hope you will come for a visit on December 6, 2024 from 5pm – 7pm to see what Justin has created.
Justin Poole is our featured artist for December First Friday. His show entitled “Vistas,” represents a new phase in his development as an artist. The oil pastels are an attempt to foster a looser approach in his artwork, while the new oil paintings are an attempt to lean further into the fantastical, dreamlike, and sublime. More works of both types are being dreamed up and created as this new show launches, and Justin looks forward to where these new styles will lead.
Justin Poole is Associate Professor of Theatre and the Theatre Program Director at Eastern Mennonite University, where he has also taught classes on art history. He and his wife Amanda lead semester-long performance and visual art-themed study abroad programs to Europe and Morocco. Traveling is the greatest source of inspiration for Justin’s own performance and visual art. Largely self-taught, Justin hones his drawing and painting skills while observing and sketching the works of the masters at some of his favorite Europe art museums, especially Vienna, Austria’s Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Tate Britain in London. He is also the Artist-In-Residence at Asbury United Methodist Church, where he manages the gallery space and seeks to integrate art and faith.
If you would like to purchase his painting(s) you may contact him via email or phone. You can also visit his website to see more paintings. He also gladly accepts commissions!
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 610-585-1663
Website: justinpooleart.com
by Charles Hendricks | Nov 23, 2024 | artwork, citizen architect, community, First Friday, Harrisonburg Architect, Local Leaders, Office Culture
Our annual Holiday Party is coming up on FIRST FRIDAY, December 6, 2024, and Red Wing Academy is back!!! We absolutely love supporting and partnering with Red Wing Academy each year, and it is such a pleasure to host a small group of these talented students each year for our holiday celebrations.
Red Wing Academy is a music camp hosted by Eric Brubaker of The Steel Wheels. It’s a four-day intensive camp held annually at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, VA. This camp is designed to nurture young musicians, providing them with the skills, talents, and community to go beyond classical training into the world of improvisational performance and group play. The culmination of the academy is a performance on-stage with the Steel Wheels at Red Wing Roots Music Festival. It’s open to non-beginner violin, viola, cello, bass, guitar, mandolin and banjo students ages 5 – 19. Students receive individual and group instruction from highly trained music teachers and are coached by members of The Steel Wheels throughout the week. It’s an incredible opportunity to play with and learn from music experts.
Gaines Group Architects sponsors the academy each year to support the next generation of musicians in our community. A focus on musical instruction not only teaches kids how to play, but studies have shown that it accelerates brain development in young children, particularly in the areas of the brain that are responsible for processing sound, language development, speech perception, and reading skills.
A special Thank You to Meg with Tiller Strings for making the partnership possible!
by Charles Hendricks | Nov 10, 2024 | artwork, citizen architect, community, First Friday, Office Culture
At the Depot, we’re already in the holiday spirit, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you! On Friday, December 6th, join us at the Depot for a special Holiday Party and First Friday event filled with artists, refreshments, community, music, an appearance by Santa himself, and more!
We are excited to join forces with our Depot neighbors, R.S. Monger and Sons Inc. and Herr & Co. to host a special Holiday Party and First Friday event! Join us to share in the Holiday celebrations as we listen to live music performed by Red Wing Academy, share your wish lists with Santa himself, and enjoy our two featured artists.
The festivities will be held on both the second and first floors of the Depot. Come visit with Santa and take your own photos, listen to the amazing performers from Red Wing Academy, and check out our artist’s creations.
Our TWO talented artists this month are Erika Cash and Justin Poole! Erika’s creations, “Royal Knotz” will be available one night only.
Justin Poole will feature “Vistas,” a collection of oil pastel paintings, which will remain up for the month of December.
As always, this event is free and open to everyone, and refreshments will be provided by the Gaines Group Architects, Monger Lumber, and Herr and Company!
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Erika’s Bio and Description:
Erika Cash is a wife and mother of 3. She has been crocheting for 26 years. Erika can bring many things to life with just a ball of yarn and a hook and has been commissioned to make many one of a kind items. She loves creating crochet patterns and watching others bring the patterns to life. Erika sees crochet as a way to express herself and relieve stress.
“Royal Knotz” was created by Erika at the beginning of 2024 as a branch off of her crochet business that she has with her mother, Wistful Willows. Royal Knotz focuses on crochet patterns that Erika develops herself.
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Justin’s Bio and Description:
Justin Poole is Associate Professor of Theatre and the Theatre Program Director at EMU, where he has also taught classes on art history. He and his wife Amanda lead semester-long performance and visual art-themed study abroad programs to
Europe and Morocco. Traveling is the greatest source of inspiration for Justin’s own performance and visual art. Largely self-taught, Justin hones his drawing and painting skills while observing and sketching the works of the masters at some of his favorite European art museums, especially Vienna, Austria’s Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien and the Tate Britain in London. He is also the Artist-In-Residence at Asbury United Methodist Church, where he manages the gallery space and seeks to integrate art and faith.
This show entitled “Vistas,” represents a new phase in his development as an artist. The oil pastels are an attempt to foster a looser approach in his artwork, while the new oil paintings are an attempt to lean further into the fantastical, dreamlike, and sublime. More works of both types are being dreamed up and created as this new show launches, and he looks forward to where these new styles will lead.
