Smith House Galleries Opens Exhibition by RCPS Students March 6

HARRISONBURG, VA – Arts Council of the Valley (ACV) is delighted to announce the post-renovation reopening of Smith House Galleries with a reception for the 10th Annual artVISION: Rockingham County Public Schools Youth Art Month Show. This exhibition begins March 6, during First Fridays of the Valley, with a 5-7 pm reception. Visit the reception to explore 100 works of art by students in RCPS, meet their amazing art teachers, and enjoy light refreshments.

The artVISION exhibition, made possible with support from Rockingham County and Rockingham Educational Foundation, Inc., is installed through March 27, with in-person visits Monday-Friday, 11 am to 4 pm. The galleries will also be open Second Saturday (March 14) from 10 am to 2 pm. Additionally, three virtual albums featuring elementary, middle, and high school artwork from the exhibition will be available in early March at valleyarts.org/current-exhibition.

Becky Ford, RCPS Supervisor of Fine Arts, and Rebecca McClure-Hooper, RCPS Administrative Assistant, coordinated the exhibition of works by 100 students in kindergarten-12th grade.

“We are thrilled to partner with Smith House Galleries again to celebrate Youth Art Month,” Ford said. “This exhibition is a meaningful opportunity to highlight the artistic achievements of our students and to give our community a chance to experience the creativity and talent flourishing in RCPS classrooms.”

Ford extended gratitude toward RCPS art teachers for their diligent work in bringing this exhibition to life:

• Elementary School: Janae Flores, Gracie Hogan, Maria Leckey, Emma Reger, Rebecca Rogers, Mary Shaffer, Courtney Spiers, Kristi Strine, Edwina Tolsma, Hannah Webb, Cayse Zwanzig;
• Middle School: Gabrielle Dawson, Mimi Guido, Sam Ritter, Sarah Taylor;
• High School: Kim Floyd, Martha Maddox, Christopher Michael, Brandy Somers, Emily Quesenberry, Erin Whetzel.

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.