HARRISONBURG, VA – Arts Council of the Valley (ACV) announces its July First Fridays of the Valley lineup, featuring a variety of visual and performing arts experiences at 15 venues throughout the City of Harrisonburg on July 3! Take a look at the full list of participating venues, interactive map, and additional details about July 3 events at valleyarts.org/first-fridays-of-the-valley/.
Thanks to Kathy Moran Wealth Group, 2026 First Fridays of the Valley Exclusive Sponsor.
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The following First Fridays of the Valley venues plan to offer arts experiences Friday, July 3. Unless otherwise noted, events are free of charge and scheduled 5-7 pm.
- Asbury United Methodist Church (205 S Main St) introduces Small Glimpses of Nature and Whimsey, an exhibition of watercolor paintings by Tracy Hakala. Stop in to admire the whimsical works and meet the artist during the opening reception. Refreshments will be available. asburydowntown.org
- Community Counseling Center (96 Campbell St) highlights work by Rosie Clark; visit during the First Friday opening reception to connect with the center’s newest featured artwork and partake of light refreshments. hbccc.org
- Court Square Theater (41-F Court Square) invites you to enjoy live, unscripted, improvisational theatre with the hilarious and talented actors and improv artists of Rocktown Improv. This unique show (recommended for ages 13 and up) begins at 7:30 pm (doors open at 7 pm). A $5 donation at the door is appreciated. actonetheaterco.org/
- Explore More Discovery Museum (150 S Main St) hosts another festive art activity for children: Star Spangled Hats! Bring the young artists in your life for a creativity-filled visit during First Friday. Admission is free. iexploremore.com/
- Frame Factory & Gallery (139 N Liberty St, Ste 101) debuts two new exhibitions with an opening reception: Ramblings, with acrylic and pastel works by Mae Stoll and Altars & Portals, with works in a variety of media by 35 local artists. Visit to meet the artists as you explore their recent creations and enjoy refreshments. facebook.com/events/1585849669727448
- Friendly City Food Co-op (150 E Wolfe St) showcases a collection of plant-focused digital drawings in Natural Balance by artist Sean O'Brien; strike up conversation with the artist, meet fellow art-appreciators, and enjoy light refreshments from the store when you attend the opening reception. friendlycity.coop/event/first-friday-natural-balance-by-sean-obrien/
- Gaines Group Architects at the Depot (141 W Bruce St, Ste 201) shares a new exhibition of photography by Erin Harrigan: Where The Mountains Meet The Stars. Check out peaceful landscapes and creative in-camera techniques; meet the artist; and sample light refreshments. thegainesgroup.com/july-first-fridays-at-the-depot-featuring-erin-harrigan/
- Harrisonburg Dance Cooperative (2 N Main St) invites your visit to a First Friday-exclusive Open Dance Rehearsal from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Take a look behind the scenes and observe an open dance rehearsal by Harrisonburg Dance Cooperative dancers, learning about all that goes into building a dance performance. hburgdancecoop.org/
- Horizon Gifts and Board Games (60 W Market St) exhibits Kaitlyn Gramling’s mixed media artwork throughout July, kicking off with an opening reception complete with refreshments and time to chat with the artist. horizongiftsandgames.square.site
- Hotel Madison & Shenandoah Valley Conference Center (710 S Main St) opens Watercolor and Wax, an exhibition of both watercolor and wax paintings by Juliette Swenson and Kathy Belcher. Have a look around the new works in the mezzanine gallery and meet the artists from 5 to 7 pm; then, from 6 to 8 pm, enjoy live music in the hotel lobby from vocalist & guitarist Ebony Nicole (playing folk & rock classics as well as original songs). Food and beverages are available for purchase at Quills lobby bar and Monty’s Restaurant. hotelmadison.com/
- North Wing Gallery at Sage Bird (325 N Liberty St) hosts a group show (with works in a variety of media by 20 local artists) celebrating the small-but-mighty pollen-carrying creatures we love: pollinators! From 5 to 8 pm, visit the Protect the Pollinators exhibition, mingle with the artists, and enjoy complimentary charcuterie. facebook.com/events/951684273956379/951684310623042/
- OASIS Fine Art & Craft (103 S Main St) highlights sculpture, photography, mixed media and more in its July exhibition, OASIS Art Dudes. When you visit the opening reception, you can take a closer look at these impressive works, ask the artists about their creative process, and enjoy live music from Trio Jazz. Refreshments will also be available. facebook.com/events/1551434573066939
- Rootstock Wine Bar & Provisions (86 W Gay St) invites you to discover acrylic, oil, and digital artwork by Anna Marie Smith in (Re)Collection, an exhibition inspired by community contributions, nature, and the artist’s Italian-American heritage. Enjoy a complimentary wine tasting as you check out the new show. facebook.com/events/999834669573356/
- Smith House Galleries (311 S Main St) opens two new July exhibitions: Margins of Her Own by Feixue Mei and Artful Escapades by Mary Rouse. Opening reception festivities - sponsored by The UPS Store #6595, 1322 Hillside Ave - include time to peruse the new paintings, digital works, and zines; an opportunity to get to know both visiting artists; and complimentary refreshments. facebook.com/events/1801700424572493
- Ten Thousand Villages (181 S Main St) hosts Kathy & Rachel Infantino with their stained glass works; visit during this First Friday-exclusive event to meet the artists and learn more about their art. tenthousandvillages.com/harrisonburg
Other 2026 First Fridays of the Valley venues are: 150 Franklin Street Gallery, The Arts at 131 W Grace, Being Financial, Bridgewater Retirement Community (Bridgewater), Broad Porch Coffee Co., Dart Resale and Trade, Draime Fine Art Studio School, Duke Hall Gallery of Fine Art, Friendly City Clay & Art Center, Furious Flower Poetry Center, Gift & Thrift, Harrisonburg Baptist Church, Harrisonburg City Hall, Hess Financial, JMU Collabratory at the Harrisonburg Innovation Hub, Larson Wealth Management, Look West Gallery @ The Mark-It, Northwestern Mutual, Pale Fire Brewing Co., Park Gables Gallery, Rebecca’s Well Gift Shop (Bridgewater), Rhythm & Vinyl, 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 (VMRC).
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.