HARRISONBURG, VA (Rocktown Now) — – Arts Council of the Valley (ACV) announced the debut of Likeness, an exhibition of fibers, sculpture, photography, and mixed media works by Corinne Diop, Nieko McDaniel, and R. Mertens at Smith House Galleries with a reception during First Fridays of the Valley October 2. Visit opening night between 5 and 7 pm to meet the artists, connect with their creations, and enjoy light refreshments.

The October exhibition, supported by The School of Art, Design and Art History at James Madison University, will remain installed through Oct 30, with in-person visits Monday-Friday, 11 am to 4 pm. The galleries will also be open Second Saturday (Oct 10, 10 am-2 pm), featuring additional time to chat with the exhibiting artists and plein air artmaking behind the Smith House.

For more information, see valleyarts.org, or email acvprograms@gmail.com.

Corinne Diop, Nieko McDaniel, and R. Mertens are faculty members in the School of Art, Design, and Art History at James Madison University. They each teach ART CORE courses – ART 105, 305, and 405 – reportedly focused on professional practices to prepare young artists for the contemporary art world.

According to Arts Council of the Valley Program Manager Martha Hemingway, Likeness is a collaborative exhibition exploring the intersection of these artists’ materials, methods, and media through an interdisciplinary lens. The works in Likeness incorporate mixed media and hybrid techniques, resulting in forms that respond dynamically to the spaces they inhabit.

By blending material processes traditionally associated with photography, painting, and fibers, the exhibition highlights the adaptability and resonance of artistic methodologies across disciplines. Likeness invites viewers to consider the subtle connections and shared sensibilities that unify diverse modes of making.