23 Venues Offer Arts Experiences During First Fridays of the Valley April 3

HARRISONBURG, VA – Arts Council of the Valley (ACV) announces its April First Fridays of the Valley lineup, featuring a variety of engaging arts experiences at 23 venues throughout the City of Harrisonburg on April 3! Check out the complete list of participating venues, interactive map, and additional details about Apr 3 events at valleyarts.org/first-fridays-of-the-valley/.

We appreciate Kathy Moran Wealth Group, 2026 First Fridays of the Valley Exclusive Sponsor.

The following First Fridays of the Valley venues plan to offer arts experiences Friday, Apr 3. Unless otherwise noted, events are scheduled 5-7 pm.

● The Arts at 131 W Grace (131 W Grace St) highlights works in a variety of media in several galleries, including the Madison Art Collection’s Weaving Clouds: Textiles of Central Asia. Check out the Office of Creative Propulsion’s new interactive exhibition, Breath of Life, and meet the artist when you visit during special First Friday extended hours 2-7 pm. Refreshments will be available. facebook.com/share/1DsxNP1Dot/

● Being Financial (328 S Main St, Ste 101) opens Meditation by D. Schmidt, an exhibition of “AI Assisted Illustration” - stop by the reception to explore the show and partake of refreshments (including hot dogs/shish kebab if the weather is nice). being-financial.com

● Broad Porch Coffee Co. (47 Court Square) invites you to an opening reception for John Atticus Deavers Gallery, celebrating new photography by John Atticus Deavers. Pop in for this First Friday-exclusive event and enjoy light refreshments. broadporchcoffee.com

● Community Counseling Center (96 Campbell St) shares an opening reception for their April exhibition, showcasing acrylic and oil paintings; colored pencil works; and print-based illustration by artist Rainbow Willard. Partake in the festivity - complete with refreshments and a chance to meet the artist - when you stop by to check out Willard’s playful works. facebook.com/events/1889385328363582/

● Court Square Theater (41-F Court Square) offers an evening of levity and impressive improvisation with a performance by Rocktown Improv - a local collective of actors and improv artists creating unscripted scenes through games and audience suggestions; this unique show (recommended for ages 13 and up) begins at 7:30pm (doors open at 7pm). A $5 donation at the door is appreciated. actonetheaterco.org/.

● Dart Resale and Trade (205 S Liberty St, Ste E) welcomes your visit to celebrate the opening of Ducks of Blacks Run, a new painting and printmaking exhibition by Dart Owner Mary Yoder-Anderson! At the opening reception you can admire the new works, chat with the artist herself, peruse the shop, and enjoy light refreshments. dartresaleandtrade.com/

● Duke Hall Gallery of Fine Art (820 S Main St) shares special extended hours and artist conversations for this year’s MFA Thesis Exhibition. The culminating experience of the Master in Fine Arts program in JMU’s School of Art, Design, and Art History, this thesis exhibition showcases the expressive artmaking of three graduate students: Ver Ikeseh, Liv Luke, and Behnaz Ghasempour. Artist talks begin at 5pm. jmu.edu/dukehallgallery/index.shtml.

● Explore More Discovery Museum (150 S Main St) encourages you to Celebrate Spring; experience an extra unique April First Friday visit and enjoy some time with special museum guests: Rockingham 4H and baby animals! Admission is free. iexploremore.com/

● Friendly City Food Co-op (150 E Wolfe St) features The Art in Death by Skye Raine. Connect with this exhibition - with artwork utilizing metal, glass, bone, and crystal - expressing the beauty in what once was; visit the opening reception in the café gallery to see the works, meet the artist, and enjoy light refreshments from the store. friendlycity.coop/harrisonburg-events-classes/

● Furious Flower Poetry Center (500 Cardinal Dr) debuts Our Stories, Our Lives, a collection of poetry broadsides (printing press, risograph, paper-making, print art) curated by Kadija George Sesay, Poet & Fulbright Scholar at Howard University. Visit the Broadside Gallery to connect with these works, meet the curator, and partake of light refreshments. Exhibit Talk and Q & A session with the curator begins at 6 pm! jmu.edu/furiousflower/events.shtml

● Gaines Group Architects at the Depot (141 W Bruce St, Ste 201) shines a spotlight on the artistry of architectural design with Design Matters: An Architecture Week Celebration. View exciting, detailed works by local architects and architecture students (and get to know these creators while you’re at it); refreshments will be available. thegainesgroup.com/april-first-friday-design-matters-an-architecture-week-celebration

● Harrisonburg Dance Cooperative (2 N Main St) features a First Friday-exclusive, behind-the-scenes opportunity to observe a special open dance performance rehearsal from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. See Harrisonburg Dance Cooperative performers in their element, building and polishing components for their upcoming performance, Renascent Moments (at the White Box Studio April 17-19). hburgdancecoop.org/

● Horizon Gifts and Board Games (60 W Market St) opens an exhibition of colorful, playful illustrated works by illustrator and designer Valentina Barahona. Stop by the reception to meet the artist, browse her uplifting art, and enjoy light refreshments. horizongiftsandgames.square.site

● Hotel Madison & Shenandoah Valley Conference Center (710 S Main St) continues the Artists for Peace Fundraiser, a fundraising exhibition of paintings and photography by various artists. Proceeds from artwork sales will benefit Mennonite Central Committee projects. View the exhibited works in the mezzanine gallery from 5 to 7 pm; then, from 6 to 8 pm, enjoy live music by vocalist & guitarist Birdie Pond (featuring contemporary & classic songs) in the hotel lobby. Food and beverages are available for purchase at Quills lobby bar and Monty’s Restaurant. hotelmadison.com/

● JMU Collabratory at the Harrisonburg Innovation Hub (25 N Liberty St, Room 102) introduces Making is My Meditation, My Sanctuary. Featuring works in a variety of media, this exhibition presents snapshots of three separate projects by designer, educator, and artist Anna Marie Smith. There will be two opportunities during the opening reception for visitors to contribute/interact with the works on view. Pop in to participate, meet the artist, and enjoy refreshments. facebook.com/events/1451401833313895/

● Northwestern Mutual (83 S Main St) starts this new spring month with Moments of Quiet Beauty, an exhibition of oil paintings by John Zecchini. Chat with the artist and sample light refreshments at this opening reception. northwesternmutual.com/financial/advisor/christine-e-miller/

● North Wing Gallery at Sage Bird (325 N Liberty St) invites you to a reception commemorating the opening of Dreaming in the Valley, an exhibition of acrylic paintings by Noelia Nuñez. Hang out in the taproom from 5 to 8 pm for a meet-and-greet with the artist and complimentary charcuterie while you admire the new artwork. facebook.com/events/951684273956379/951684313956375/

● OASIS Fine Art & Craft (103 S Main St) hosts paintings and oil pastel works by artist Bob Bersson in Early Morning Light, an exhibition fueled by the qualities of sky light in the hours before and just after dawn. Explore contemplative, abstract works; converse with the artist; enjoy live music by Gina Bretz; and have some snacks when you visit the opening reception. facebook.com/events/2035190550750158

● Pale Fire Brewing Co. (217 S Liberty St, Ste 105) features watercolor and digitally refined mixed media illustrations by Thea Akobia in Around the Valley. The exhibition, highlighting picturesque moments from all around the Shenandoah Valley, opens in the taproom with a reception from 5 to 7 pm. Live music by Don’t Look Up follows from 7 to 10 pm. facebook.com/events/4362038624079587/

● Rhythm & Vinyl (76 W Gay St) kicks off a one-week art exhibition, Dogs of the Valley, featuring a collage of canine-focused photography from Harrisonburg community members. Anyone interested in having their own dog photo featured in the collage can email ryan@rhythmandvinyl.com! Hunter Stout will perform live music in The Rhythm Den from 7 to 9 pm. instagram.com/rhythmandvinylva/

● Rootstock Wine Bar & Provisions (86 W Gay St) shares artist Brenna Garner’s painting exhibition Their Benevolence, My Becoming, an installation of acrylic works examining complex intersections amongst societal expectations, grief, rage, mental health, and identity. Stop by to explore the artworks and enjoy a complimentary wine tasting. facebook.com/events/1207884887824007/

● Smith House Galleries (311 S Main St) opens Alternative Topographies, an exhibition of alternative photography by Jeremy Starn. Join the merriment of the opening reception, supported by Friends of ACV, with complimentary light refreshments; an opportunity to chat with the exhibiting artist; and popup, pay-what-you-will live portrait-drawing sessions (20 minutes each) by guest artist Will Stroud on the Smith House patio. facebook.com/events/1878790132758218

● Ten Thousand Villages (181 S Main St) invites your visit to a special First Friday feature in the shop, with hand-knitted, crocheted, and hand-lettered works by Molly Conley & Olivia Brown, “Just two friends who like to craft.” Visit to meet the artists and check out their creations in person. tenthousandvillages.com/harrisonburg

Unable to join in the festivity April 3? First Fridays of the Valley venue Asbury United Methodist Church (205 S Main St) plans to offer arts programming Friday, April 10, with an opening reception for Spring Joy, an exhibition of watercolor paintings by artist Ann Baker. See the works, meet the artist, and enjoy refreshments when you visit between 5 and 7 pm. asburydowntown.org

Other 2026 First Fridays of the Valley venues are: 150 Franklin Street Gallery, Bridgewater Retirement Community (Bridgewater), Draime Fine Art Studio School, Frame Factory & Gallery, Friendly City Clay & Art Center, Gift & Thrift, Harrisonburg Baptist Church, Harrisonburg City Hall, Hess Financial, Larson Wealth Management, Look West Gallery @ The Mark-It, Park Gables Gallery, Rebecca’s Well Gift Shop (Bridgewater), and Walkabout Outfitter.

Arts Council of the Valley is located at 311 South Main Street in Downtown Harrisonburg, Virginia. Programs are supported in part by 2026 ACV Strategic Partners Kathy Moran Wealth Group, Riner Rentals, and Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community.

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 Smith House Galleries, funds local art projects through its Advancing the Arts grant program (awarding more than $532,300 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 and the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly. To learn more, visit valleyarts.org.

This press release was provided by Martha Hemingway at Arts Council of the Valley.