March 14th Event Celebrates New Liberty Street ‘Uplift’ Mural

HARRISONBURG, VA – A new downtown mural by Harrisonburg-based artist Tyler Kauffman will be dedicated Friday, March 14 during a 4:30 to 5:45 pm reception hosted by Riner Rentals. The event, open to the public, will take place inside Arts Council of the Valley’s Smith House Galleries, 311 South Main St, Harrisonburg, and will feature an Artist Talk and light refreshments.

Riner Rentals commissioned the new public artwork last year. "We have been thrilled to work with Tyler Kauffman to bring his concept of ‘Uplift’ to life at 265 Liberty Street,” owner Paul Riner said. “We wanted to do something unique: putting public art on the front of an occupied rental unit in plain view for the community to enjoy,” Riner explained.

“Tyler took on the challenge, interpreted the building as a part of his design, and what he created is incredible,” Riner added. “We hope his work will be a fun and meaningful addition to Harrisonburg for many years to come, and that residents and visitors alike will enjoy it far into the future.”
“Riner Rentals celebrated 25 years of serving our neighbors in 2024,” he continued, “and ‘Uplift’ seemed like the perfect love letter to the City and County we love!"

Kauffman holds an undergraduate degree in fine art with a concentration in painting from Eastern Mennonite University. He has completed several Harrisonburg murals in recent years.
Arts Council of the Valley is located at 311 South Main Street in Downtown Harrisonburg, Virginia. Programs are supported in part by ACV 25th Anniversary Presenting Sponsor Kathy Moran Wealth Group, and 25th Anniversary Visionary Sponsor Riner Rentals.

A 501(c)3 nonprofit, ACV is dedicated to cultivating the arts, creating experiences, and connecting communities throughout the City of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. Since it was established in 2000, ACV has grown into a multi-faceted community organization that fosters innovative partnerships among area businesses, civic organizations, schools, and artists. Today, ACV manages Court Square Theater and Smith House Galleries, funds local art projects through its Advancing the Arts grant program (awarding more than $510,200 since 2001), supports public art initiatives, and coordinates monthly First Fridays of the Valley community gatherings.

ACV is supported in part by the City of Harrisonburg, the Harrisonburg Redevelopment & Housing Authority, and the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. To learn more, visit valleyarts.org.

This press release was provided by Ann Leatherwood at Arts Council of the Valley.