Rosewood Renovation and Reinvention

News

The final phase of Rosewood’s renovation begins this summer!  Phase III includes the renovation of the painting and drawing studios, the theater, and the establishment of a printmaking studio.

This summer is notably the first in Rosewood history for camps in air-conditioned classrooms!

**Please note that Rosewood will be closed from March 20 - April 9, 2023. Kettering Children's Theatre performances will still be held during this time. Rosewood Gallery will be open by appointment only. Reserve a gallery appointment.

Updated 1/23/2023

Important Ceramics Studio Renovation and Moving Dates

** ALL DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE**

Our goal is to provide our patrons with an amazing space to learn, create new things and build a community of artists from all walks of life. We appreciate your compliance with the upcoming deadlines, scheduling, and Code of Conduct as we move forward and transition into the new ceramics studio.  Thank you to everyone who attended our Information Sessions in December and January to get all of the details about this big transition!

February 28: Deadline to submit work for cone 10 reduction kiln for the winter season/early spring season.

March 4: Last day for open studio drop-ins (anyone not currently enrolled in a winter 2023 class).

Only students enrolled in winter 2023 ceramics classes and with a yellow card will be permitted to use the ceramics studio until March 18.

March 18: Last day for student access to ceramics studios; all yellow cards will expire and no longer be valid.

Deadline for removal of all belongings and work in lockers and ceramics studio spaces, including but not limited to: ceramics studio storage spaces, class storage, lockers, firing carts, firing pick up areas.

All work from classes can be left on designated class carts but will not be available until after April 17.

March 20 – April 9: Rosewood Closed - no access to building or ceramics studios.

April 10: Rosewood Arts Center re-opening. Ceramics studio open for orientations only (By appointment only - schedule an orientation).

April 17: Ceramic studio spring classes and open studio drop-in access begin.

Stay up-to-date with the renovation project by visiting our website www.playkettering.org/rosewood.

We strive to make your experience to Rosewood successful during our renovation.  Rosewood staff are always available to assist you; please contact us at during regular business hours through our main office at (937) 296-0294 or email us at rosewood@ketteringoh.org.

Project Overview

Beginning in September 2021, the City of Kettering launched a multi-year, phased renovation to update Rosewood Arts Center. As part of the City of Kettering’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts (PRCA), Rosewood is a community destination dedicated to enriching the quality of life for the residents of Kettering and the greater Dayton area by providing creative experiences through a variety of art forms for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.

The renovation includes infrastructure improvements (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) and the creation of more efficient and customized learning environments for various artistic disciplines. Rosewood in located within a repurposed 1965 elementary school designed by Kettering architect Eugene Betz. Leased to the City from the Kettering City Schools, Rosewood Arts Center opened for a full year of programming in 1985.  Since then, Rosewood has provided exceptional arts programming including over 400 educational programs and classes each year, as well as artist studio spaces, exhibitions, performances and special events.

The renovation will continue through 2023, and the building will remain open and continue to offer art education classes and gallery programming.  Through community and stakeholder feedback and surveys conducted over the past several years, the renovation will include not only upgrades to the building’s infrastructure but also to expanding educational space for core program areas including youth arts instruction, ceramics, painting and drawing, and specialized spaces for glass and metal working.

The Rosewood project is being managed by the City of Kettering's Public Service Department, working with LWC Incorporated (previously Lorenz Williams) as the project architect and Brumbaugh Construction, Inc.

Funding for this project is provided by the City of Kettering and the Cultural Facilities Grant Fund administered by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, with additional support provided by the Kettering Parks Foundation.