Smith House Galleries Kickstarts August with Two New Exhibitions

HARRISONBURG, VA – Arts Council of the Valley (ACV) is delighted to announce the opening of two new exhibitions at Smith House Galleries on Friday, Aug 1 during First Fridays of the Valley: Take a Walk on the Wild Side highlights oil paintings by Agnieszka Elliott; Ouroboros, by E. Leary, features paintings and pyrography. Stop by the opening reception (5-7 pm) to explore the artwork; meet the artists; partake of light refreshments; and enjoy live music by Jane Cox.

Sponsored by The UPS Store #6595 (1322 Hillside Avenue) both exhibitions are on view through Aug 29, with in-person visits Monday-Friday, 11 am to 4 pm and on Second Saturday (Aug 9), 10 am to 2 pm. Each exhibition will also be available online
(valleyarts.org/smith-house-galleries-current-exhibition/).

Born in Krakow, Poland, Agnieszka Elliott is a self-taught, award-winning wildlife artist whose work focuses on the lives of species less frequently encountered. She has gained international recognition and regularly exhibits with Artists for Conservation in Vancouver. As a conservationist, Elliott aims to inspire empathy and raise awareness about nature, sharing, “My work is deeply rooted in my love for the natural world. Each brushstroke reflects my passion for wildlife and my dedication to taking proactive measures to protect it. Through my art, I seek to share the quiet beauty and incredible spirit of wildlife, encouraging others to connect—a gentle invitation to pause, reflect, and immerse ourselves in the wild splendor around us.” Outside of painting, Elliott enjoys photography, cooking, and spending time with her family and two German Shepherds.

Emily Leary is a Virginian illustrator, painter, and pyrographer with a passion for storytelling. Growing up in the Shenandoah Valley filled her childhood with diverse nature, inspiring a lifelong interest in plants, wildlife, and the relationships between living things. Her work often focuses on species found in the Blue Ridge Mountains, using symbolism and intricate detail to express thoughts on mortality, growth, spirituality, and the passage of time. Leary earned her BFA from Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts (VCUArts) in 2023 and is currently based in Richmond, VA. Her recent endeavors include living for two and a half months at the Byrdcliffe Art Colony in Woodstock, NY as an Artist in Residence in 2023 and holding her first solo show, Thicket, in January 2025 at Sage Bird Ciderworks in Harrisonburg, VA.

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 $518,300 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, 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 Martha Hemingway at Arts Council of the Valley.