HOMEPAGE

ICE HOUSE RESTORATION DIARY

Molly Knopf (second on left) and Cheryl Kagan of the Carl M. Freeman Foundation met recently with Bob Marggraf and Carrie Jenkins of the Morgan Arts Council board, as well as Executive Director Mary Hott, to preview work at the Ice House. Work begins on transforming a second floor room into a dance studio as the first act of the Ice House Incubator. Work will also enhance the current office space next door. Heat and air systems are in place and working. Dance classes and workspace are not far behind. MAC is hard at work on the Ice House as long as the money holds out. Exterior stablization of the 1923 addition to the Ice House delayed interior development efforts and absorbed significant financial resources. The silver lining is the terrific space created on the fourth floor with southern exposure, elevated ceilings and the large section of translucent paneling. The demolition and reconstruction also allowed insertion of south-facing windows on every floor of the addition. Funding is provided by a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission

ICE HOUSE CLOSED IN BEFORE AND AFTER Dear Arts Supporter, Check out the before... and after extreme makeover... The Ice House is closed in. The addition is secured to the main part of the building. There is southern exposure for artist studios. By February, interior work begins, resulting in a dance studio and wet classroom by April. It's been a great year for art in Berkeley Springs in addition to Ice House work. The Fairy Ball and Art Auction kept arts programming going with the money they raised. Sales from the Ice House Gallery fed the building, keeping the doors open. There have been popular community theater plays, expansion of youth art classes, a great summer concert series and inspiring art in the schools. MAC as an organization is maturing now in the midst of its 30th year of arts programming. It recently became an United Way Agency and hired Mary Hott, a native of Paw Paw, to serve as full-time Executive Director. None of this happens without your help. As the year draws to a close and you explore sharing your gifts with non-profits, we recommend MAC: support the arts, build community and help develop the economic contribution the arts make. Art offers personal fulfillment and expands horizons for our youth. Please support the arts with a donation to the Morgan Arts Council before the end of 2006. Since MAC is a 501(c)(3) non- profit organization, your donation is tax deductible to the amount allowable by law. Morgan Arts Council - PO Box 248 - Berkeley Springs, WV 25411

CAPITO ADMIRES WORK - Congresswoman Shelly Moore Capito visited the Ice House and expressed her admiration at how much had been accomplished. Fundraising chair Jeanne Mozier explained to Capito the urgent need for $250,000 to continue renovation inside.

August 14, 2006...Siding up, translucent panels on fourth floor installed -- only the trim and windows remain then it's time to move inside.

August 11, 2006...Seen from the inside, the last translucent panel is installed on the fourth floor.

August 10, 2006...When completely installed, the translucent panels and large window will add a whole new dimension to the fourth floor interior space.

August 6, 2006...The metal siding is done complete wrapping the addition to the Ice House. Now, only the translucent material on the 4th floor remains and then it is inside for renovation. Think of the material contrast with the early 20th century brick as the balance between traditional and contemporary art. If you are pleased and/or relieved as many of us are....feel free to send money. We have lots more work to do..

August 3, 2006...The metal panel wraps around to the front of the Ice House, making the entire addition sound for hopefully the next hundred years.

July 17, 2006...The metal sheathing is turning the Ice House into a patterned combination of old and new -- and protecting the 1921 addition from decay.

June 29, 2006...The siding begins to go up. Want to buy a sheet? Only $200!

June 21, 2006...Notice the window framing.

June 18, 2006...Work begins at last to finish Ice House exterior. Keep watching over the next two weeks as completion proceeds. Feel free to send checks to the Ice House Building Fund so we can begin interior work as soon as possible. Every dollar donated up to $225,000 will be matched dollar for dollar by the WV Commission on the Arts.

November 18, 2005...The wall is up! The wall is up!

October 28, 2005...Work begins to prepare for replacing south wall on the Ice House.

August 13, 2005...Roof I-beams and perlins are up. Roof covering is next.

August 6, 2005...The roof structure is growing.

July 14, 2005...Roof I-beams are going up.

July 10, 2005...The Ice House addition roof rises.

July 9, 2005...Imagine the fourth floor full of art.

July 7, 2005...Construction of the roof on the Ice House addition begins.