Rotary Club of Rockingham County Peace Pole Project

Rotary Club of Rockingham County Peace Pole Project

by | Jul 27, 2024 | Charles Hendricks, citizen architect, community, Empathy, Leadership, Local Leaders, Office Culture, Rotary, team

The Rotary Club of Rockingham County is working on a Peace Pole project to spread peace in the Harrisonburg / Rockingham community. Promoting peace is a cornerstone of the Rotary Mission. We believe when people work to create peace in their communities, that change can have a global effect.

Peace Pole Project

The Peace Pole is an internationally recognized symbol of the hope and dreams of the entire human family, standing vigil in silent prayer for peace on earth. Each Peace Pole bears the message May Peace Prevail on Earth in eight different languages, a braille plaque, and these poles will also have a Rotary logo, Veterans for Peace logo, and a rainbow flag. It’s estimated that there are over 200,000 Peace Poles in the world with at least one in every country, each dedicated as a monument of peace.

Peace Pole Project

Planting a Peace Pole is a way of bringing people together to inspire, awaken and uplift the human consciousness the world over. It is a wonderful project for any community, organization, or your home. They remind us to think, speak, and act in the spirit of peace and harmony. Planting a Peace Pole in a high pedestrian traffic area will remind those seeing it on a daily basis to be kind to others.
There is an international registry showing Peace Pole locations around the world. The Rotary Club is also working on finding and registering existing Peace Poles in the Valley. So far we have registered 3 and are waiting to hear back from the owners of two more to get permission to register them.

Peace Pole Project

Each peace pole will cost approximately $600, including installation. We have secured installation locations for the first two poles and are working on fundraising for our third. We hope and plan to do many more.
 
For more information on the effort contact Charles Hendricks at [email protected].
First Friday Artist Aaron Moyer

First Friday Artist Aaron Moyer

by | Jul 19, 2024 | artwork, citizen architect, community, First Friday, Harrisonburg Architect, Local Leaders, Office Culture

On August 2nd, from 5:00pm-7:00pm, we are thrilled to host a First Fridays Gallery Opening at The Depot featuring artist Aaron Moyer! Join us to welcome Aaron and view his photography exhibition entitled An Ode to the Unnoticed, and to enjoy refreshments and community. RSVP for this event on Facebook here and get to know him more in his biography below!

*Accessibility Note: This building was previously restored from a fire. The elevator shaft is currently not functioning and there is an absence of ramps in the space. Because the show is on the 2nd floor, this may pose an issue for those who have mobility needs. We are aware of this need and we apologize greatly if this changes your ability to attend.

Artist Aaron Moyer.

Bio:

Aaron is a 23-year-old amateur photographer from the Shenandoah Valley. He recently graduated from Eastern Mennonite University with a major in Biology and a minor in Art. The subjects of his photography range from large landscapes to tiny bugs, focusing mostly on capturing the essence of the natural world. Apart from photography, he enjoys listening to and creating music, making yummy coconut curries, playing pickleball, and spending time with friends.

 

Artist Statement:

An Ode to the Unnoticed

Through the lens of a camera, the Shenandoah Valley is transformed from a small, ordinary dot on Earth into an impressively diverse and intrinsically beautiful landscape. Walking around with a camera in my hand has been a physical reminder to pay attention to the details of the world around me, and to capture the unnoticed features of life that we often forget to appreciate. In my view, a good photograph helps us remember that our lives are drenched in art and that the only barrier to unlocking a lifetime of free exhibitions lies in our perspectives and willingness to observe. 

“An Ode to the Unnoticed” Sneak Peek

 

Silhouette of a heron flying through the sky, wings spread.

Squirrel peeking out from a hole in a tree.

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This event is free and open to everyone. Snacks and refreshments will be served and we look forward to seeing you there!

Each month we host a new artist in our building’s 2nd floor gallery at the Chesapeake Western Depot at 141 W. Bruce St. (second floor entrance is on Chesapeake). Artwork will remain on exhibit through the month. Come view the show anytime and get a tour the Depot! We will have food and drink available!

Special Presentation: The Remnants of the Crooked and Weedy

Special Presentation: The Remnants of the Crooked and Weedy

by | Jun 29, 2024 | artwork, citizen architect, community, First Friday, Office Culture

We are thrilled to have a special presentation on “The Remnants of the Crooked and Weedy” at the Depot (141 W. Bruce St. Harrisonburg, VA) on July 5th at 5:30 pm. Colby Lowry, a James Madison University history major (secondary Education and Anthropology) will join us. He is a member of the Marching Royal Dukes, a model railroad enthusiast, and a lover of all things antique. Colby and his grandmother used to watch advertisements for train sets and he remembers talking history with his grandfather on nearly a daily basis growing up leading to his passion for both history and the railroad.

Chesapeake Western Depot (2)

Combining his love for history and trains he has done research on the Chesapeake Wester Railroad. Learning from Charles Grattan Price’s book Crooked and Weedy he will highlight the relics of a bygone era of railroading for all that attend.

This presentation will coincide with our July 5th First Friday Art opening at the Depot. All are welcome.

First Friday Artist April Sachs

First Friday Artist April Sachs

by | Jun 21, 2024 | artwork, citizen architect, community, First Friday, Harrisonburg Architect, Local Leaders, Office Culture

On July 5th from 5:00pm-7:00pm, we are thrilled to host a First Fridays Gallery Opening at The Depot featuring artist April Sachs (she/her)! Join us to welcome April and view her gallery entitled Rising (March 20, 2022-March 20, 2023), and to enjoy refreshments and community. RSVP for this event on our Facebook and get to know her more in her biography below!

*Accessibility Note: This building was previously restored from a fire. The elevator shaft is currently not functioning and there is an absence of ramps in the space. Because the show is on the 2nd floor, this may pose an issue for those who have mobility needs. We are aware of this need and we apologize greatly if this changes your ability to attend.

Bio

April Sachs is an accidental artist. She currently teaches at Eastern Mennonite School in Harrisonburg, and has also worn the hats of linguist, bookkeeper, office manager, and library assistant. She enjoys writing poetry, gardening, reading, and dancing at sunrise.
 

Artist Statement

Rising (March 20, 2022-March 20, 2023)
 

In late 2021, in the midst of life-changing events, I decided to photograph a constant: the sunrise. The result is 366 sunrise photos, all taken in exactly the same spot. But they are far from identical. The images portray the same scene in many moods, reflecting the changing seasons, weather, and position of the sun (from equinox to solstice and back again).

These photos, each similar and yet unique, echo my own experiences during that year. Sometimes I felt as bleak as the cloudy February mornings, when for days at a time I had to guess at the moment of sunrise, since the sun itself could not be seen. Other days were as joyful as the mist-filled mornings of June, with a mockingbird in the adjacent pasture, singing, flying, and falling with pure delight in life. But whether my own internal weather was bleak or joyful, I knew I had foundations as constant as the sunrise. This was my year of rising.

“Rising” Sneak Peek

Sunrise over field. Snail on table.

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This event is free and open to everyone. Snacks and refreshments will be served and we look forward to seeing you there!

Each month we host a new artist in our building’s 2nd floor gallery at the Chesapeake Western Depot at 141 W. Bruce St. (second floor entrance is on Chesapeake). Artwork will remain on exhibit through the month. Come view the show anytime and get a tour the Depot! We will have food and drink available!

First Friday Artist Rebecca Ryan

First Friday Artist Rebecca Ryan

by | May 16, 2024 | artwork, citizen architect, community, First Friday, Harrisonburg Architect, Local Leaders, Office Culture

On June 7th from 5:00pm-7:00pm, we are thrilled to host a First Fridays Gallery Opening at The Depot featuring artist Rebecca Ryan (she/her)! Join us to welcome Rebecca and view her gallery entitled Orchards in Spring, and to enjoy refreshments and community. RSVP for this event on our Facebook and get to know her more in her biography below!

*Accessibility Note: This building was previously restored from a fire. The elevator shaft is currently not functioning and there is an absence of ramps in the space. Because the show is on the 2nd floor, this may pose an issue for those who have mobility needs. We are aware of this need and we apologize greatly if this changes your ability to attend.

 

First Friday Artist Rebecca Ryan with her partner.

Bio:

Rebecca Ryan has been a Shenandoah Valley based artist since 2011. She is an acrylic artist who draws inspiration from living on her family’s working fruit farm. Her art is influenced by impressionism and open-impressionism and uses thick brush strokes of bold color to create the natural light and drama of her subject matter.  Rebecca has been showing art in the downtown area since 2011 and has had gallery shows at Madison hotel and a permanent display at Clementine Cafe. She sells her art from the Harrisonburg Farmers Market in downtown Harrisonburg and takes commissions.

“Orchards in Spring” Sneak Peek

Painting of a field.

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This event is free and open to everyone. Snacks and refreshments will be served and we look forward to seeing you there!

Each month we host a new artist in our building’s 2nd floor gallery at the Chesapeake Western Depot at 141 W. Bruce St. (second floor entrance is on Chesapeake). Artwork will remain on exhibit through the month. Come view the show anytime and get a tour the Depot! We will have food and drink available!

First Friday Artist Noemi Salome

First Friday Artist Noemi Salome

by | Apr 19, 2024 | artwork, citizen architect, community, First Friday, Harrisonburg Architect, Local Leaders, Office Culture

On Friday, May 3rd from 5:00pm-7:00pm, we are thrilled to host a First Fridays Gallery Opening at The Depot featuring multidisciplinary artist and designer Noemi Salome (she/her)! Join us to welcome her and view her mixed-media gallery entitled Curiosity, and to enjoy refreshments and community. RSVP for this event on Facebook here and get to know her more in her biography below!

*Accessibility Note: This building was previously restored from a fire. The elevator shaft is currently not functioning and there is an absence of ramps in the space. Because the show is on the 2nd floor, this may pose an issue for those who have mobility needs. We are aware of this need and we apologize greatly if this changes your ability to attend.

Bio:

Noemi Salome (she/her) is a multi-disciplinary artist and designer from the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Inspired by the natural world, Noemi’s art includes graphic design, sewing, and multi-media experimentation with ink, acrylic, watercolor, pastels, and collage – all of which are featured in her exhibition entitled “Curiosity”. She enjoys making yummy messes in the kitchen, hiking, and learning as much as she can about art and life. You can find out more about her art at noemisalome.com or follow along on Instagram @noemisalomedesign.

 

Artist Statement:

Gallery Title: Curiosity

I have always believed that lifelong learning and exploration are important for a joyful and creatively fulfilling existence that resists confines. As a multi-disciplinary artist, my art follows my free spirit, which lives in a state of constant curiosity. Whether in watercolor, acrylic, or graphic design, my work lingers in the confusing space between the simplicity of the natural world and the complex, tangled mess of human rule, transforming the confusion into something tangible, something beautiful. Welcome to my world of curiosity.

“Curiosity” Sneak Peek

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This event is free and open to everyone. Snacks and refreshments will be served and we look forward to seeing you there!

Each month we host a new artist in our building’s 2nd floor gallery at the Chesapeake Western Depot at 141 W. Bruce St. (second floor entrance is on Chesapeake). Artwork will remain on exhibit through the month. Come view the show anytime and get a tour the Depot! We will have food and drink available!