HARRISONBURG, VA (Rocktown Now) – Arts Council of the Valley has announced its December First Fridays of the Valley lineup – the last of 2024 – with 19 venues participating. A list of venues, online map, and pdf with links to December 6 events are available at valleyarts.org/first-fridays-of-the-valley/.

The following First Fridays of the Valley venues plan to offer arts experiences Dec 6. Unless otherwise noted, events are scheduled 5-7 pm.
● Asbury United Methodist Church (205 S Main St) welcomes you to an opening reception for Winter Scenes, an exhibition of paintings by several local artists. Meet the artists and enjoy refreshments. asburydowntown.org
● Creative Art Studio and Event Center (423 N Main St – Bridgewater) hosts a festive evening of Christmas ornament-making. Stop by to create your own ornament, enjoy light refreshments, and peruse the art gallery. facebook.com/creativeartwithjoyce
● Deviant Kreations (61 Court Square) invites you to an opening reception for Dreamscape – a blend of cultural art styles and symbols with surrealist designs by Katie Cousins. Explore an exhibition of acrylic and spray paint on canvas, mirrors, and skateboards. facebook.com/share/1AuWKj2u31/
● Explore More Discovery Museum (150 S Main St) shares Starry Nights, a watercolor-resist art activity for children. Admission is free. iexploremore.com/
● Friendly City Food Co-op (150 Wolfe St) opens Amelioration, featuring two large quilts and a variety of smaller wall hangings made by Emily Johnson. Meet the artist and partake of refreshments during the opening reception in the cafe gallery. friendlycity.coop/event/first-friday-amelioration-by-emily-johnson/
● Friendly City Real Estate Services (52 E Market St) hosts an opening reception for A Winter Showcase featuring Erin Murray, Zeke Trainum, and Katelyn Wood. Enjoy refreshments and time with the artists from 5 to 8 pm.
● The Gaines Group Architects (141 W Bruce St, Ste 101) presents The Depot Holiday Party and Gallery Opening, featuring Vistas (oil pastel paintings by Justin Poole), Royal
Knotz (crochet creations by Erika Cash), and live music from Red Wing Academy. Enjoy refreshments and a visit with Santa Claus during this festive event. thegainesgroup.com/holiday-party-and-art-gallery-at-the-depot/
● Gift & Thrift (731 Mount Clinton Pike) invites you to enjoy an evening of live a cappella music by Good Company. facebook.com/events/2890771461084638?
● Harrisonburg City Hall (409 S Main St) hosts Reflections: A Year of Creativity Revisited. This exhibition features photographs and paintings by many of the artists who have shared their work in City Hall within the past year. Sample refreshments and meet the artists during the opening reception. harrisonburgva.gov/city-hall-first-fridays
● Horizon Gifts (60 W Market St) introduces Arc Christmas, featuring creations by artists from The Arc of Harrisonburg and Rockingham. Enjoy an exhibition filled with a variety of media and sample refreshments during the opening reception. facebook.com/share/1XSR5emKw6/?mibextid=9l3rBW
● Hotel Madison & Shenandoah Valley Conference Center (710 S Main St) encourages you to visit the photography exhibit Wildlife & the Wild Life – A journey from nature to music by local artist Bob Adamek in the mezzanine gallery. Stick around for classic rock and folk songs of the ‘60s and ‘70s by vocalist and guitarist Kendall Anderson 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 a new painting exhibition, Just Deserts, by Gregory Dirr. themarkithva.com/
● Mashita (105 N Liberty St) features new art in December: Line Work by Brandon Serrels. This exhibition of ink drawings remains on view in the restaurant throughout the month. eatmashita.com
● OASIS Fine Art & Craft (103 S Main St) exhibits From Our Home to Yours, a group art show by OASIS Members! The opening reception features holiday activities, light refreshments, and live music by the Shenandoah Valley Ukulele Players. facebook.com/events/1000120325255632/?
● Rootstock Wine Bar and Provisions (86 W Gay St) shares a new exhibition of oil and acrylic paintings by Anna Keath Smith in December. Attend the opening reception for Quiet Glory, highlighting works inspired by the artist’s travels to Switzerland and Scotland. Enjoy a free wine tasting while you’re there! facebook.com/share/3en1Q6qhW83mM4ci/
● Sage Bird Ciderworks (325 N Liberty St) celebrates the opening of The Deck Show with a reception 5-8 pm. Visit to explore mixed media works by 54 Virginia artists in the North Wing Gallery! Enjoy time with the artists and complimentary charcuterie; artist awards will be announced at 7pm, and custom playable decks of cards made from reproductions of the exhibition will be available for purchase. facebook.com/share/XSNk23A6CyF6aY5h/
● Saint Stephen’s United Church of Christ (358 S Main St) hosts An Enchanting Evening with Gustavo Ballesteros from 6 to 7 pm, featuring live piano and organ music by James Madison University Doctoral Assistant Gustavo Ballesteros. saintstephensucc.com
● Smith House Galleries (311 S Main St) offers extended hours (5-7 pm) to explore the 9th Annual ACV Artist Member Exhibition, sponsored by the Frame Factory & Gallery. Stop by to see more than 100 works of art – in a variety of media – by 47 artists. valleyarts.org/smith-house-galleries-current-exhibition/
● Stoney Run Artisans & Highland Designs (9945 McGaheysville Rd – McGaheysville) features Steve Lambert – Landscapes and Wildlife, with a reception 3-7 pm. Peruse acrylic paintings by Steve Lambert; meet the artist; and partake of light refreshments while you visit. facebook.com/stoneyrunartisansgallery/

Other 2024 First Fridays of the Valley participating venues are: Aristocat Cafe, Arts Incarnate, ArtWorks Gallery, Capitol Waffle Shop, Court Square Theater, Draime Fine Art Studio School, Duke Hall Gallery of Fine Art, Firefly Emporium, Frame Factory & Gallery, Friendly City Clay & Art Center, Furious Flower Poetry Center, The Golden Pony, Green Hummingbird, Harrisonburg Baptist Church, Hess Financial, Ott Street Eats, Pale Fire Brewing Co., Parentheses Books, Park Gables Gallery at VMRC, The Perch Workspace, Pulp Cafe, Rebecca’s Well Gift Shop, Ten Thousand Villages, and Virginia Quilt Museum.