HARRISONBURG, VA (Rocktown Now) – Arts Council of the Valley (ACV) announces its April First Fridays of the Valley lineup, featuring arts programming at 24 venues throughout the City of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. A list of venues, online map, and additional information about April 4 events are available at valleyarts.org/first-fridays-of-the-valley/. Kathy Moran Wealth Group is an Exclusive Sponsor for the 2025 First Fridays of the Valley program.  

The following First Fridays of the Valley venues plan to offer arts experiences April 4. Unless otherwise noted, events are scheduled 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  

  • Aristocat Cafe (111 N Liberty St) features artwork in a variety of media by Jessa Kinney with First Friday-exclusive refreshments. aristocat.cafe  
  • Asbury United Methodist Church (205 S Main St) shares an opening reception for Spring Flowers, an exhibition featuring mixed media works by various artists. Refreshments will be available. asburydowntown.org  
  • City of Harrisonburg (409 S Main St) hosts an opening reception at City Hall for Flower Loving Heart by Jessica Newman, Web Developer for the City of Harrisonburg. This exhibition includes photography, paintings, and mixed media works; stop by to explore the display and meet the artist. harrisonburgva.gov/first-fridays  
  • Court Square Theater (41-F Court Square) invites you to enjoy a performance by Rocktown Improv! Join this group of local actors and improv artists – who craft unscripted scenes through games and audience suggestions – for an evening of live, improvisational theatre at 7:30 pm (doors open at 7 pm). A $5 donation at the door is appreciated. courtsquaretheater.org/event/rocktown-improv  
  • Explore More Discovery Museum (150 S Main St) welcomes you to Children’s Art Activities; visit with your little ones to join in the artmaking fun. iexploremore.com -more-  
  • Frame Factory & Gallery (139 N Liberty St, Ste 101) features two exhibitions: Snakes & Angels by Jayme Driver & Lynn Lough and Nature V Nurture by Tyler Kauffman. Visit during business hours to enjoy. framefactoryharrisonburg.com  
  • Friendly City Food Co-op (150 Wolfe St) invites you to visit Terrestrial, by Kate Duffy, an exhibition of screen print collage exploring the relationship between art and nature. friendlycity.coop/harrisonburg-events-classes  
  • Friendly City Real Estate Services (52 E Market St) shares another opportunity to experience the acrylic paintings of Fragmented Realities by Ver Ikeseh; refreshments will be provided. facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563582636736  
  •  Furious Flower Poetry Center (500 Cardinal Drive) opens the Of Contagions, Confusions, and Cleansing, curated by Dr. Adérónké Adésànyà, in the Broadside Gallery. Enjoy these poetry broadsides, meet the curator, and sample light refreshments. jmu.edu/furiousflower/broadside-gallery/index.shtml  
  • Gaines Group Architects (141 W Bruce St, Suite 201) showcases Works by Jeff Hoodock. Enjoy paintings by Jeff Hoodock – April’s featured artist – as well as woodturnings by David Sutton (whose work will only be available during the opening reception). Meet both artists and partake in light refreshments. facebook.com/share/1FjKrxEwkx  
  • Gift & Thrift (731 Mt Clinton Pike) invites you to a one-night-only demonstration: Mixed Media & Upcycled Art by Candy Barnes! Join artist Candy Barnes as she shares her process for creating artwork with paper, paint, and ephemera. Check out some of her previous works and enjoy her live demo. facebook.com/events/2073928449770649  
  • Horizon Gifts and Board Games (60 W Market St) announces an opening reception for an exhibition by artist Shelley Boyers. Sample refreshments and enjoy the collection of creative mixed media works. facebook.com/share/1DzWEMjzWp/?mibextid=wwXIfr  
  • Hotel Madison & Shenandoah Valley Conference Center (710 S Main St) hosts a reception (5-7 pm in the mezzanine gallery) for continuing exhibition SVWS at HOTEL MADISON, featuring watercolor and acrylic paintings by Shenandoah Valley Watercolor Society Signature Members. Meet the artists in the mezzanine gallery, then enjoy live music by vocalist and guitarist Tim Miller – playing country, alternative, and classic rock songs – 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 -more-  
  • JMU @ Harrisonburg Innovation Hub (25 N Liberty St) offers another opportunity to connect with the currently featured JMU MFA Student Exhibition. Admire works by Behnaz Ghasempour, Elisha Hill, Lorver Ikeseh, Olivia Luke, Michelle Smith, Kareeena Solanki, and Jeremy Starn. facebook.com/events/648157954488140  
  • Mashita (105 N Liberty St) displays Wouldn’t It Be Great, April’s featured exhibition of mixed media character art by Smiles. Stop by during the opening reception to discover artwork made with upcycled materials, acrylics, spray paint, and markers; meet the artist; and observe live painting! facebook.com/share/1BEn3a8MPS  
  • Northwestern Mutual (83 S Main St) welcomes you to Northwestern Mutual Gallery with watercolor works by artist Jennifer Rucinski. Attend the opening reception to chat with the artist and enjoy light refreshments. northwesternmutual.com/office/va/harrisonburg/86244590  
  • North Wing Gallery at Sage Bird Ciderworks (325 N Liberty St) highlights watercolor, pen & ink, and mixed media artwork by Brittany Clem-Hott throughout April. Check out Clem-Hott’s exhibition, Nature Inspired, during an opening reception 5-8 pm – complete with refreshments, a chance to meet the artist, and live music by Hunter Stout – during First Fridays of the Valley. facebook.com/share/18j44cz3HZ  
  • OASIS Fine Art & Craft (103 S Main St) opens Awakenings with new works by Donna Detrich, Barbara Gautcher, and Janet Lee Wright. Chat with the artists, sample light refreshments, and enjoy live music by Trio Jazz. facebook.com/events/674785011888268  
  • Pale Fire Brewing Co. (217 S Liberty St, Ste 105) celebrates the opening of Abracadabra, by eirotropot, an exhibition including hand-painted woodcuts made from upcycled materials. You can enjoy time to meet the artist 5-7 pm, followed by live music from Jeremiah Tall at 7 pm. facebook.com/events/1560840807955650  
  • Rootstock Wine Bar and Provisions (86 W Gay St) presents Needlework of Needlework, an exhibition of cross stitch works by Blake Somers. Meet the artist, jam to live music, and enjoy a free wine tasting during the opening reception. facebook.com/events/1038433421639751  
  • Smith House Galleries (311 S Main St) welcomes you to the opening reception for Beyond the Classroom: Educator’s Artistic Voice. Sponsored by Hess Financial, this exhibition highlights works of art – in a variety of media – by 32 members of the Blue Ridge Virginia Art Education Association. Meet the artists, admire their unique creations, and sample light refreshments. valleyarts.org/smith-house-galleries-current-exhibition -more-  
  • Stoney Run Artisans & Highland Designs (9945 McGaheysville Rd – McGaheysville) hosts an art reception from 3 to 7 pm for Yellowstone Fever with a collection of oil paintings and more. Refreshments will be available. stoneyrunartisans.com  
  • Ten Thousand Villages (181 S Main St) invites you to meet artist Heidi Hochstetler, learn about her featured cookbook, and enjoy refreshments during Welcome to the Table. tenthousandvillages.com/harrisonburg  
  • Three Notch’d Valley Collab House (241 E Market St) opens an exhibition of paintings by Rosemary Clark; from 5 to 8 pm, stop by to see the new work and hear live music from the Nick Branson Continuum! threenotchdbrewing.com  

Other 2025 First Fridays of the Valley participating venues are: Arts Incarnate, Bridgewater Retirement Community (Bridgewater), Chestnut Ridge Coffee Roasters, Creative Art Studio and Event Center (Bridgewater), Draime Fine Art Studio School, Duke Hall Gallery of Fine Art, Fairfield Mediation Center, Friendly City Clay & Art Center, The Golden Pony, Harrisonburg Baptist Church, Hess Financial, Look West Gallery at The Mark-It, Park Gables Gallery at VMRC, Rebecca’s Well Gift Shop (Bridgewater), and The Wing Gallery at The Perch.