24 Venues Offer Arts Experiences During First Fridays of the Valley February 6

HARRISONBURG, VA – Arts Council of the Valley (ACV) is thrilled to share its February First Fridays of the Valley lineup, featuring a variety of arts experiences at 24 venues (including first time venues: The Arts at 131, Broad Porch Coffee Co., and Larson Wealth Management) throughout the City of Harrisonburg on February 6! Check out the list of venues, online map, and additional information about Feb 6 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, Feb 6. Unless otherwise noted, events are scheduled 5-7 pm.

• The Arts at 131 (131 W Grace St) kicks off the month with Various works from the Madison Art Collection. Check out works in a variety of media, by several different artists, during the opening reception. Refreshments will be available. facebook.com/events/1918426238711607/
• Asbury United Methodist Church (205 S Main St) hosts The Bodacious Art of Barney Google and Snuffy Smith - an exhibition filled with cartoons by John Rose. Enjoy refreshments and time to chat with the artist. asburydowntown.org/
• Being Financial (328 S Main St, Ste 101) opens Kozo Sculpture by Duffy, featuring works by Duffy Dillinger incorporating papier mâché over polystyrene. Stop by the opening reception to take a closer look at the artwork, meet the artist, and sample light refreshments. being-financial.com
• Broad Porch Coffee Co. (47 Court Square) makes its First Fridays of the Valley debut with an opening reception for Tom Duntemann's Oil Paintings; pop in to have a look around this fresh collection of works in oil; converse with the artist; and partake of refreshments. broadporchcoffee.com
• Court Square Theater (41-F Court Square) hosts an unscripted evening of frivolity and fun with Rocktown Improv, talented actors and improv artists who create improvisational scenes through games and audience suggestions. The show begins at 7:30 pm (doors open at 7 pm). A $10 donation at the door is appreciated. actonetheaterco.org/cst-events-%26-tickets
• Dart Resale and Trade (205 S Liberty St, Ste E) shares Paper Pieces, an exhibition of collage works by Sage Hastert. Swing by the shop during the opening reception to see the new works, hang out with the artist, and enjoy refreshments. dartresaleandtrade.com
• Duke Hall Gallery of Fine Art (820 S Main St) welcomes your visit to a brand new exhibition: Depth Soundings by Tom Ashcraft, Paul Stephen Benjamin, Demian
• DinéYazhi’, Guillermo Galindo, Luzene Hill, Jeneen Frei Njootli, Penny Siopis, and Michael Webster. Discover sound art, video works, and installations exploring the relationship between sound and emotion in contemporary art. jmu.edu/dukehallgallery/index.shtml
• Explore More Discovery Museum (150 S Main St) offers a joyful artmaking space for kids with the First Friday-exclusive collage activity Love Bugs. iexploremore.com
• Friendly City Clay & Art Center (1157 S High St, Suite 102) shares Cozy, an exhibition of works in a variety of media by FCCAC members and instructors. Meet the makers behind the art and admire their creations at the opening reception. friendlycityclay.com
• Friendly City Food Co-op (150 E Wolfe St) invites you to the opening reception for It’ll Come by Lori Mier. Spend some time in the café gallery with this photographic narrative of light of the Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains; get to know the artist; and sample light refreshments from the store. friendlycity.coop/harrisonburg-events-classes/
• Furious Flower Poetry Center (500 Cardinal Dr) opens Oshun Rising, a collection of poetry broadsides curated by Dr. Joanne V. Gabbin. Step into the Broadside Gallery to connect with these works - exhibited in honor of Dr. Gabbin’s 80th birthday - during an opening reception complete with refreshments and time with the curator. jmu.edu/furiousflower/broadside-gallery/current-exhibit.shtml
• Harrisonburg City Hall (409 S Main St) features For the Love, with photographs, paintings, quilts, needlepoint, and more on display in the lobby. Employees and family members will be showcasing art that speaks of love: something that depicts, elicits or was created out of the artists' love of something. Stop by the opening reception to discover these special works and get to know the artists! harrisonburgva.gov/first-fridays
• Harrisonburg Dance Cooperative (2 N Main St) welcomes you, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm, to view The Mundane Revisited, an exhibition of photography by Pop(ke) Art. From 5:30 to 6:30 pm, visitors can also enjoy a behind-the-scenes opportunity to observe an open dance rehearsal and learn about all that goes into building a dance performance! Improv Night begins at 6:30 (until 7:30pm); at least two Harrisonburg Dance Cooperative dancers - along with anyone from the public who would like to join - will engage in organic movement set to a curated selection of music. Visitors who would rather view the improvisation than dance themselves are welcome to spectate. hburgdancecoop.org/
• Hess Financial (380 E Market St) announces the opening of Photographs by Laurence Heine with a First Friday reception; explore artwork - featuring nature, wildlife, and more - and meet the artist. Refreshments will be available. facebook.com/events/748897157736725/
• Horizon Gifts and Board Games (60 W Market St) debuts mixed media artwork by John Bowman; admire this new exhibition, converse with the artist, and enjoy some snacks during the opening reception. horizongiftsandgames.square.site
• Hotel Madison & Shenandoah Valley Conference Center (710 S Main St) hosts a reception for the continuing art exhibition I Still Have A Dream - a showcase of oil paintings by Ver Ikeseh. Chat with the artist and learn about his works in the mezzanine gallery from 5 to 7 pm; enjoy a live performance from 6 to 8 pm in the hotel lobby by instrumental jazz duo Steven Londono and Jacob Minks. Food and beverages are available for purchase at Quills lobby bar and Monty’s Restaurant. hotelmadison.com/
• Larson Wealth Management (124 Newman Ave, Ste 101) joins the First Fridays of the Valley festivity with a new installation of artwork by Tyler Kauffman. Enjoy an opening reception - complete with complimentary light refreshments - and admire the collection of pen and ink works. larsonwealthmgt.com/
• Look West Gallery @ The Mark-It (125 W Water St) presents "Hey Mark," an exhibition of artwork by Mark-It Team Members. Pop in during the opening reception (which includes refreshments and an opportunity to meet the artists) to see creative works made by the team members in their time outside of the shop. facebook.com/share/1C7kSHAPSc/

• North Wing Gallery at Sage Bird (325 N Liberty St) opens The Safeway Series by songwriter, musician, and visual artist Caleb Stine; check out these drawings on newsprint, spend some time with the artist, and partake of complimentary charcuterie during the 5-8 pm reception. Spectator Bird & Nellie Rose will fill the evening with live music! facebook.com/events/670450592729429/

• OASIS Fine Art & Craft (103 S Main St) celebrates the opening of its annual 8 x 8 show, featuring 8” x 8” works by area artists (many of whom will be present during the opening reception to share about their work). Hear a live performance from musical guest Gina Bretz; sample light refreshments; and enjoy an evening of arts camaraderie. facebook.com/events/902953195417049
• Pale Fire Brewing Co. (217 S Liberty St, Ste 105) kicks off a new month of visual art and music with the opening of Another Round by Ashley Sauder Miller. Enjoy the featured mixed media works during your First Friday art walk, then stick around for live music from Gia Ray at 7 pm. palefirebrewing.com
• Rhythm & Vinyl (76 W Gay St) features visual and performing arts for First Friday! Head to The Rhythm Den (the basement of the Liberty St. Mercantile) to discover portrait and ink art by artist Kearstin Safford from 4 to 6 pm; live music by June Baby, with special guest Theocles, will follow at 7 pm. Please note: the art exhibition opening reception is free to enjoy; the 7 pm concert is a ticketed event. Learn more at instagram.com/rhythmandvinylva/
• Rootstock Wine Bar & Provisions (86 W Gay St) opens Brush and Lens, highlighting Ken Carson’s oil paintings and photography. Drop by to have a look around the new show and partake of a complimentary wine tasting. facebook.com/events/747728981257290/
• Ten Thousand Villages (181 S Main St) hosts Rachel Miller of Waggleduck Crafts for a First Friday-exclusive feature in the shop. Pop in to explore Rachel’s hand-woven works throughout the evening. tenthousandvillages.com/harrisonburg

Other 2026 First Fridays of the Valley venues are: 150 Franklin Street Gallery, Bridgewater Retirement Community (Bridgewater), Community Counseling Center, Draime Fine Art Studio School, Frame Factory & Gallery, Gaines Group Architects at the Depot, Gift & Thrift, Harrisonburg Baptist Church, JMU Collabratory at the Harrisonburg Innovation Hub, Northwestern Mutual, Park Gables Gallery, Rebecca’s Well Gift Shop (Bridgewater), Smith House Galleries, 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 Sponsors Kathy Moran Wealth Group and Riner Rentals.

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 $524,800 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.