September First Fridays of the Valley Events

HARRISONBURG, VA – Arts Council of the Valley (ACV) is thrilled to share its September First Fridays of the Valley lineup, with 24 venues participating - including newly-joined venue Deviant Kreations! A list of venues, online map, and pdf with links to Sept 6 events are available at valleyarts.org/first-fridays. We appreciate Kathy Moran Wealth Group, Exclusive Sponsor for the 2024 First Fridays of the Valley program.

The following First Fridays of the Valley venues plan to host arts experiences Sept 6. Unless otherwise noted, events are scheduled 5-7 p.m.

• Aristocat Cafe (111 N Liberty St) shares an opening reception for artist Lisa Chew’s new exhibition of mixed media works. aristocat.cafe.
• Court Square Theater (41-F Court Square) hosts Rocktown Improv for a night of improvisational entertainment. This group of local actors and improv artists create unscripted scenes through games and audience suggestions. The performance begins at 7:30 pm (doors open at 7 pm). A $5 donation at the door is appreciated. courtsquaretheater.org/event/rocktown-improv
• Deviant Kreations (61 Court Square) makes its First Fridays of the Valley debut with an opening reception for Whimsical Worlds: a duel artistic perspective, an exhibition featuring whimsical animal- and nature-themed mixed media works by Phoenix Flaxman and Dandy Knopf. facebook.com/share/q12YsRVpmnkyW9FV/?mibextid=9VsGKo
• Draime Fine Art Studio School (1153 S High St) announces its Grand Opening with an open house from 5 to 8 pm, providing an opportunity for visitors to learn about the Studio School, explore the space, and discover the variety of art classes and workshops offered. draimefineart.com
• Duke Hall Gallery of Fine Art (820 S Main St) invites you to attend an opening reception in the Grace Street Gallery (room 1031) for the Americans Who Tell the Truth Portrait Exhibit. -more- View beautiful portraits from acclaimed artist Robert Shetterly’s Americans Who Tell the Truth project, featuring subjects who exemplify courageous citizenship, democratic ideals, and commitment to the common good. Light refreshments served. americanswhotellthetruth.org/portrait-gallery/
• The Frame Factory & Gallery (139 N Liberty St, Ste 101) celebrates the opening of two brand new exhibitions: Where I’ve Been & Where I’m Going, featuring mixed media works by Quillon Hall; and North End Light, highlighting photography by Aaron Johnston. Meet both artists, partake of light refreshments, and enjoy a Teeny Tiny surprise in the Tiny Gallery. facebook.com/events/473328318811112
• Friendly City Food Co-op (150 Wolfe St) invites you to attend an opening reception for Natural Succession, an exhibition of pen, ink, and watercolor artwork by Rebecca Souder Gish. Enjoy the artwork, time with the artist, and refreshments in the cafe gallery. facebook.com/events/1497683590866883/
• Gaines Group Architects (141 W Bruce St, Ste 101) introduces The Elephant in the Room, an exhibition of acrylic paintings, collage, and mixed media works. Chat with artist Charlotte Shristi and enjoy refreshments at the opening reception. fb.me/e/zQpASj7yI
• Gift & Thrift (731 Mount Clinton Pike) commemorates the evening with a live performance in the shop by musician Joel Ross. giftandthrift.org
• Harrisonburg City Hall (409 S Main St) features Life on the Farm by Emma Rion. Explore this exhibition of Emma’s photography on your next visit. harrisonburgva.gov/city-hall-first-fridays
• Hess Financial (380 E Market St) promotes friendship with an opening reception for Five Friends, an exhibition highlighting the works of artists Paul Cook, Donna Detrich, Charlie Kasch, Doris Martin, and Martha Merz. Meet the artists and have some snacks! fb.me/e/3X38Nq6SM
• Horizon Gifts (60 W Market St) welcomes you to an opening reception for Fungi Forest Carnival by Nathaniel Eby. Enjoy an exhibition of painted wooden carvings and mixed media; meet the creator behind the work; and sample refreshments. facebook.com/events/1259136902115070/
• Hotel Madison & Shenandoah Valley Conference Center (710 S Main St) hosts an opening reception for Botanical Brilliance by Lynda Chandler. Visit the exhibition of watercolor paintings in the mezzanine and meet the artist from 5 to 7 pm. -more- Enjoy live folk and rock classics performed on guitar in the lobby by Ebony Nicole from 6 to 8 pm. Food and beverages are available for purchase at Quills lobby bar and Monty’s Restaurant. hotelmadison.com
• Look West Gallery at the Mark-It (125 W Water St) shares the The Koozie Show: Cold Can: Koozie Road during an opening reception showcasing the works of 40 artists. Celebrate the 4th edition of this popular exhibition and explore a variety of small-scale printed works in the gallery from 5 to 8 pm. Awards will be presented to juried winners and refreshments will be available. facebook.com/events/1230268654636758/
• Mashita (105 N Liberty St) introduces a new featured artist for September: Halley Conrad! Stop by the restaurant to admire her gouache and fiber works in the small lonely women: abstract forms. eatmashita.com
• OASIS Fine Art & Craft (103 S Main St) pairs stained glass and photography together in a collaborative exhibition by Stewart Mason and Barbara Camph! Visit the opening reception for Wildlife Wonders in Photos and Glass and enjoy live music from the Countryside Garage Band as you peruse the artwork and converse with the artists. facebook.com/events/478488014817642/
• Pale Fire Brewing Co. (217 S Liberty St Ste 105) announces an opening reception for The Art of Teaching, a group exhibition featuring the works of the Valley Chapter of the Virginia Association for the Education of Young Children. Following the reception, enjoy live music from Ramona Martinez at 7 pm. There will be refreshments! facebook.com/share/mJnHfXwYV9aB29fb/
• Parentheses Books (76 W Gay St) welcomes you to explore Wildlife Compositions by Eva Camunas. Check out the mixed media artwork, meet the artist, and sample refreshments during an opening reception 5-6 pm. parenthesesbooks.com/events
• Pulp Cafe (135 S Main St) enters a new month with new artwork: visit 11 am-6 pm to admire Photography of the Valley by artist Brooke Imber. Learn more about the artist and enjoy refreshments while you’re at it! shenandoahbicycle.com/pulp-cafe
• Sage Bird Ciderworks (325 N Liberty St) offers an exciting evening with a new exhibition of artwork and live music. Moon. Tower. VIII Cups features Ryan Styer Arnold’s oil and charcoal paintings, and musician Ben Bailey will be on the scene performing original songs inspired by Ryan’s artwork. Enjoy it all for yourself - along with a selection of refreshments - in the North Wing Gallery 5-8 pm. sagebirdciderworks.com/event-details/artist-reception-with-music -more-
• Saint Stephen’s United Church of Christ (358 S Main St) presents When You Wish Upon a Star, performed by the Spotswood High School Choral Department. From 6 to 7 pm, enjoy live music from this talented group under the direction of Dr. Jordan Davidson. Refreshments will be available. saintstephensucc.com
• Smith House Galleries (311 S Main St) invites you to join the celebration for Multiverse of Media, a new exhibition of Blue Ridge Community College Art Faculty artwork sponsored by E&M Auto Paint and Supply Corporation! During the opening reception, you can delight in unique creations featuring collage, drawing, mixed media, painting, photography, and ceramics by Brittney Barnhart, Claudia Furlow, Jessica Martinkosky, Jerome Sturm, and Herb Weaver. Have a visit with the exhibiting artists, enjoy their work, and sample light refreshments. valleyarts.org/current-exhibition.
• Stoney Run Artisans & Highland Designs (9945 McGaheysville Rd) hosts a reception for artist Diane Whitesel’s ceramic works in Pottery for Autumn. Stop by 3-7 pm to check out Diane’s festive and fall-inspired work and enjoy refreshments. facebook.com/stoneyrunartisansgallery
• Ten Thousand Villages (181 S Main St) holds a pop-up exhibition in the shop, with an opportunity to meet artist Suzanne Arthur as you explore her oil and watercolor works in Birds & Landscape Paintings. tenthousandvillages.com/harrisonburg

Other 2024 First Fridays of the Valley participating venues are: Arts Incarnate, ArtWorks Gallery, Asbury United Methodist Church, Capitol Waffle Shop, Explore More Discovery Museum, Firefly Emporium, Friendly City Clay & Art Center, Furious Flower Poetry Center, The Golden Pony, Green Hummingbird, Harrisonburg Baptist Church, Ott Street Eats, Park Gables Gallery at VMRC, The Perch Workspace, Rebecca’s Well Gift Shop, Rootstock Wine Bar and Provisions, and Virginia Quilt Museum.

Arts Council of the Valley is located at 311 South Main Street in Downtown Harrisonburg, Virginia. Programs are supported, in part, by 2024 Cultivating the Arts Platinum Sponsors: Eugene Stoltzfus Architects, James McHone Jewelry, Kathy Moran Wealth Group, Matchbox Realty, and Riner Rentals.

Arts Council of the Valley is a 501(c)3 nonprofit 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 $498,300 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 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 Martha Hemingway at Arts Council of the Valley.