HARRISONBURG, VA (Arts Council of the Valley) – Arts Council of the Valley (ACV) announces its May First Fridays of the
Valley lineup, with 27 venues participating, including two newcomers to the program: PULP Cafe
and Rootstock Wine Bar and Provisions. A list of venues, online map, and pdf with links to May
3 events are available at valleyarts.org/first-fridays. Kathy Moran Wealth Group is Exclusive
Sponsor for the 2024 First Fridays of the Valley program.

The following First Fridays of the Valley venues plan to host arts experiences May 3. Unless
otherwise noted, events are scheduled 5-7 pm.
Arts Incarnate (75 N Mason St) shares an opening reception for a new exhibition of
paintings by Lyndi Carr 5-7 pm; meet the artist and sample light refreshments. JMU
Architectural Design students also share their proposals for Performance Pavilion &
Urban Public Space 4-6:30 pm. artsincarnate.com
Asbury United Methodist Church (205 S Main St) invites you to an opening reception 5-7
pm for May featured artists Cyndi Gussler, Justin Poole, Rachel Tusing, and Cassidy
Walker. The reception includes an opportunity to meet the artists, see their paintings,
and sample light refreshments. Live music by Mosaic Handbell Ensemble begins at 7 pm.
asburydowntown.org
Court Square Theater (41-F Court Square) hosts an opening 5-7 pm in the Marketplace
Gallery (in the hallway outside Court Square Theater & Capital Ale House) with
Celebration: Perspectives from the Valley, featuring works in a variety of media created
by local artists and curated by Laura Thompson! Inside the theater, Rocktown Improv
returns for an evening of improvisational entertainment at 7:30 pm (doors open at 7
pm). This group of local actors and improv artists create unscripted scenes through
games and audience suggestions. A $5 donation at the door is appreciated.
courtsquaretheater.org/event/rocktown-improv
Explore More Discovery Museum (150 S Main St) announces First Fridays Free! Enjoy
Garden Collage, a special mixed media art activity for children. iexploremore.com
Firefly Emporium (16 S Main St) features a one-night-only pop-up exhibition of
watercolors and band art by aspiring young artists Kilian and Meredith, Kids Kreation.
The reception, 4-7 pm, offers refreshments. fireflyemporium.com
The Frame Factory & Gallery (139 N Liberty St, Ste 101) features two exhibitions –
watercolor and ink in Glimmers: Moments of Magic by Hannah Katherine, and ceramics
in Playing with Mud by Ros O’Brien – during an opening reception with refreshments and
live music by Ella Horst, Lydia Brubaker, Ophelia Deramus.
facebook.com/events/751411683727097
● Friendly City Food Co-op (150 Wolfe St) hosts an opening reception for Color Therapy by
Martha Putney. Meet the artist and enjoy refreshments while you admire her exhibition
of oil works in the cafe gallery. friendlycity.coop/harrisonburg-events-classes/
Furious Flower Poetry Center (500 Cardinal Dr) shares El Ánimo: Exploring Afro-Latinx
Poets, a collection of Broadsides curated by Iliana Cosme-Brooks. At this reception,
connect with the poetry and sample light refreshments in the Broadside Gallery.
jmu.edu/furiousflower/broadside-gallery/current-exhibit.shtml
Gaines Group Architects (141 W Bruce St, Ste 101) holds an opening reception for
Curiosity, an exhibition by Noemi Salome featuring graphic design, multimedia
experimentation with ink, acrylic, watercolor, pastels, and collage. Converse with the
artist, sample refreshments, and enjoy the artwork. fb.me/e/yllmKWXbV
Gift & Thrift (731 Mount Clinton Pike) invites you to an interactive music-making activity
with Mike Deaton at 5:15 pm and 6 pm. Accessible instruments are provided, all ages
are welcome, and no special skills or prior experience are needed.
facebook.com/events/1786435011849049/
Harrisonburg Baptist Church (501 S Main St) welcomes you to An Evening of Stories and
Song with the Biblical Storytellers, with live storytelling and music by the Shenandoah
Valley Biblical Storytellers, Harrisonburg Baptist Church Choir, and Rosemary Lonberger
on organ 5-7 pm. Enjoy refreshments following the performance and stick around for a
student recital by vocalist Devonte Garcia at 7 pm.
facebook.com/events/1283143585975936/
Harrisonburg City Hall (409 S Main St) highlights the watercolor works of Cece Dodd in
Ethereal Spring; visit the opening reception 4-7 pm to meet the artist and see the art.
harrisonburgva.gov/city-hall-first-fridays
Hess Financial (380 E Market St) features photography by Laurence Heine in a new
exhibition, Photographic Inspirations of Laurence Heine. Meet the artist and sample light
refreshments at the opening reception. fb.me/e/5MbkGdSrw
Horizon Gifts (60 W Market St) shares live music and a vendor spotlight; hear tunes
from Cousin Jimmy’s String Band, meet the artist of Simply Natural, and enjoy
refreshments. facebook.com/events/s/may-first-friday/2776644065822771/
Hotel Madison & Shenandoah Valley Conference Center (710 S Main St) features an art
reception (5-7pm) for Rhythms of Color, an exhibition of acrylic paintings by Kathleen
Mitchell Johnston. Catch live a capella music by JMU Bluestones and Exit 245 in the
lobby 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) celebrates the opening of “Hurry,
before it ends!” during a reception featuring acrylic works on canvas by Brandon Serrels.
Meet the artist while you’re there! themarkithva.com/
Mashita (105 N Liberty St) presents an opening reception for Summer Fever by Stuart
Landis. Check out the exhibition of oil paintings and chat with the artist throughout the
evening. eatmashita.com
OASIS Fine Art & Craft (103 S Main St) introduces The Spirit of Summer by the
Shenandoah Valley Watercolor Society. Explore the exhibition of watercolor paintings,
hear live music from Countryside Garage Band, and partake of light refreshments during
the opening reception. facebook.com/events/777142827435360/
Parentheses Books (76 W Gay St) hosts author Sofia Samatar for a book reading and
signing in the shop; meet the author and sample refreshments.
parenthesesbooks.com/events
PULP Cafe (135 S Main St) celebrates the opening of a new exhibition by Jay Herr, The
Poster Show, 11am-6pm. Stop by to enjoy refreshments and admire works in oil pastel,
pen, and ink. shenandoahbicycle.com/pulp-smoothie-cafe/
Rebecca’s Well Gift Shop (405 N Main St – Bridgewater) invites you to Night on the Town
with Karen Harlow during a one-night-only shop event featuring a collection of
hand-crocheted wares by the artist. Visit the reception 5-8 pm to meet the artist and
enjoy light refreshments. facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550652462412
Rootstock Wine Bar and Provisions (86 W Gay St) features live Americana music by Jane
Cox; enjoy acoustic guitar and vocals at this one-night-only event.
facebook.com/rootstockwinebarva/
Sage Bird Ciderworks (325 N Liberty St) hosts an opening reception for Rose and Zeke
Trainum’s exhibition of sculpture and mixed media works, So Many Dragons! Stop in to
meet the artists and enjoy complimentary charcuterie from 5 to 8 pm. The Sage Bird
Taproom is open from 3 pm-12 am. fb.me/e/1RjrExJfO
Saint Stephen’s United Church of Christ (358 S Main St) offers an art activity 5-6 pm:
weather permitting, join Kay Acker and Sarah Jones for a potting party in the “Almost
Secret Garden” at the church and create a Mother’s Day floral work of art. Contact Sarah
(s.f.jones@comcast.net) for additional details. saintstephensucc.com
Smith House Galleries (311 S Main St) welcomes you to an opening reception, sponsored
by GreeneHurlocker, for Journey Towards the Unknown by Mahnaz Weldy, Maryam
Rassapour, and James Albright. Enjoy the exhibition of paintings and mixed media
works, meet the artists, and sample light refreshments. valleyarts.org/current-exhibition.
Stoney Run Artisans & Highland Designs (9945 McGaheysville Rd) presents Landscapes –
from Seashore to the Valley, a new exhibition of oil, watercolor, and acrylic pieces by
various artists. Meet the artists at the opening reception 3-7 pm. Refreshments will be
available. facebook.com/stoneyrunartisansgallery
Virginia Quilt Museum (301 S Main St) offers free admission. Visit the museum and enjoy
textiles by various artists. vaquiltmuseum.org/
Other 2024 First Fridays of the Valley participating venues are: Aristocat Cafe, ArtWorks Gallery,
Capitol Waffle Shop, Draime Fine Art Studio, Duke Hall Gallery of Fine Art, Friendly City Clay &
Art Center, The Golden Pony, Green Hummingbird, Ott Street Eats, Pale Fire Brewing Co., Park
Gables Gallery at VMRC, The Perch Workspace, and Ten Thousand Villages.