HARRISONBURG, VA – Arts Council of the Valley (ACV) is excited to share the debut of Likeness, an exhibition of fibers, sculpture, photography, and mixed media works by Corinne Diop, Nieko McDaniel, and R. Mertens at Smith House Galleries with a reception during First Fridays of the Valley October 2. Visit opening night between 5 and 7 pm to meet the artists, connect with their creations, and enjoy light refreshments.
The October exhibition, supported by The School of Art, Design and Art History at James Madison University, will remain installed through Oct 30, with in-person visits Monday-Friday, 11 am to 4 pm. The galleries will also be open Second Saturday (Oct 10, 10 am-2 pm), featuring additional time to chat with the exhibiting artists and plein air artmaking behind the Smith House. For more information, see valleyarts.org, or email acvprograms@gmail.com.
Corinne Diop, Nieko McDaniel, and R. Mertens are faculty members in the School of Art, Design, and Art History at James Madison University. They each teach ART CORE courses - ART 105, 305, and 405 - focused on professional practices to prepare young artists for the contemporary art world. As practicing artists with extensive records of solo and group exhibitions across the United States and internationally, they exemplify the principles they teach. While their individual studio practices are grounded in Photography (Diop), Painting (McDaniel), and Fibers (Mertens), each artist transcends the traditional boundaries of medium and discipline. Their creative practices reflect a shared philosophy of cross-disciplinary exploration and the idea of "likeness" that emphasizes the commonalities and resonances.
Likeness is a collaborative exhibition exploring the intersection of these artists' materials, methods, and media through an interdisciplinary lens. Although each artist teaches within a distinct studio concentration, their practices reflect a shared interest in how visual and conceptual qualities migrate across mediums. The works in Likeness incorporate mixed media and hybrid techniques, resulting in forms that respond dynamically to the spaces they inhabit. By blending material processes traditionally associated with photography, painting, and fibers, the exhibition highlights the adaptability and resonance of artistic methodologies across disciplines. Likeness invites viewers to consider the subtle connections and shared sensibilities that unify diverse modes of making.
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 Rockingham County, 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.
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