June First Friday at The Depot Featuring Cassidy Walker!

by Lindsey Kohler-Austin | May 21, 2026 | artwork, community, First Friday, Harrisonburg

As always, this event is free and open to everyone, and refreshments will be provided by Gaines Group Architects.

Series Name: In Blue and Bloom: Washes of Memory from Lithuania

Medium: Watercolor

Artist Statement: “In Blue and Bloom: Washes of Memory from Lithuania is a collection of watercolor paintings created in response to my study abroad experience in Lithuania. Through both monochromatic blue and full-color works, this exhibition explores the ways beauty and trauma coexist within the country’s landscapes, architecture, and cultural memory.

During my time in Lithuania, I encountered a place of remarkable natural beauty, vibrant cities, and enduring traditions. At the same time, I learned about the country’s complex history of occupation, resistance, genocide, and survival. These experiences changed how I understood the places I visited. Streets, forests, and historic sites became layered with both visible beauty and the memories they continue to hold.

The use of monochromatic blue and full color is not intended to separate trauma from beauty. Instead, both bodies of work contain aspects of each. Some blue paintings focus on atmosphere, reflection, and form, while some full-color works depict locations shaped by painful histories. Together, these two approaches demonstrate that Lithuania’s identity cannot be divided into distinct parts. Its beauty and its trauma are deeply interconnected, each informing the way the other is experienced and understood.

Watercolor serves as an ideal medium for this exploration because of its transparency and fluidity. Layers of pigment and water mirror the way memory accumulates over time—sometimes vivid, sometimes softened, but never entirely erased.

These paintings are both personal reflections and acts of witness. They honor Lithuania as a place where resilience emerges alongside
remembrance, and where history continues to shape the present. Through this work, I hope viewers are invited to consider how landscapes carry stories and how art can help us hold complexity, preserving both pain and beauty within the same frame.”

Artist Bio: Cassidy Walker is a multidisciplinary artist working in watercolor, photography, ceramics, and digital media. She graduated from Eastern Mennonite University in 2025 with a degree in Art, Photography, and Digital Media & Communications.

Her work is deeply informed by close observation of the world around her. Through a variety of media, Cassidy examines places, experiences, and histories, translating them into visual forms that help her process and express what she encounters. Much of her artistic practice centers on themes of trauma, memory, resilience, and the ongoing effort to better understand the complexities of the world.

In Blue and Bloom: Washes of Memory from Lithuania was inspired by Cassidy’s study abroad experience in Lithuania, where she explored the relationship between natural beauty, cultural identity, and historical trauma. Through this body of watercolor paintings, she reflects on how places can hold both visible and invisible histories and how art can serve as a means of witnessing, remembrance, and connection.

*Accessibility Note: This building was previously restored from a fire. The elevator shaft is currently not functioning and there is an absence of ramps in the space. Because the show is on the 2nd floor, this may pose an issue for those who have mobility challenges. We are aware of this need and we apologize greatly if this changes your ability to attend.

This event is free and open to everyone. Snacks and refreshments will be served and we look forward to seeing you there!

Each month we host a new artist in our building’s 2nd floor gallery at the Chesapeake Western Depot at 141 W. Bruce St. (second floor entrance is on Chesapeake). Artwork will remain on exhibit through the month. Come view the show anytime and get a tour the Depot!

May First Fridays at The Depot Featuring One Of Our Own!

by Lindsey Kohler-Austin | Apr 24, 2026 | artwork, First Friday, Harrisonburg

As always, this event is free and open to everyone, and refreshments will be provided by Gaines Group Architects.

Series Name: LO•CAL

Medium: Traditional and Instant Film Photography

Artist Statement: “I moved to Harrisonburg from Northeast Ohio eleven years ago. In the decade-plus since, the rolling hills of Rockingham County have shifted from a foreign landscape into the backdrop of my daily life. This exhibition explores the evolution of that perspective, questioning what it means to truly become a “local” when your roots began elsewhere. Working exclusively with traditional and instant film, I look for the textures that define this region. My choice of medium is intentional: film is a physical record of light and time. Unlike the infinite reproducibility of digital images, these photographs are tactile artifacts of a specific moment. This show is my personal map of the Shenandoah Valley. By capturing the mundane and the majestic through the lens of a long-term resident, I hope to offer a version of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County that feels both deeply familiar and newly discovered. It is a tribute to the eleven years it took to stop looking at this place as a destination and start seeing it as home.”

Artist Bio: Lindsey Kohler-Austin is a photographer whose work is defined by a commitment to the tangible and a deep reverence for the deliberate pace of film. Originally from Northeast Ohio and currently based in Harrisonburg, Virginia, Lindsey first picked up a camera at the age of twelve—beginning a lifelong journey of observing the world through a viewfinder.

A self-taught artist, Lindsey’s practice is characterized by a complete immersion in the photographic process. From the initial exposure to the final print, every step is handled by hand. By processing and developing her own traditional film and scanning each frame personally, they maintain a physical connection to the work that digital photography cannot replicate. For Lindsey, the limitations of film—the finite number of frames and the lack of an “undo” button—are essential tools that force a slower, more intentional engagement with the subject matter. This is the first public exhibition of Lindsey’s work.

*Accessibility Note: This building was previously restored from a fire. The elevator shaft is currently not functioning and there is an absence of ramps in the space. Because the show is on the 2nd floor, this may pose an issue for those who have mobility challenges. We are aware of this need and we apologize greatly if this changes your ability to attend.

This event is free and open to everyone. Snacks and refreshments will be served and we look forward to seeing you there!

Each month we host a new artist in our building’s 2nd floor gallery at the Chesapeake Western Depot at 141 W. Bruce St. (second floor entrance is on Chesapeake). Artwork will remain on exhibit through the month. Come view the show anytime and get a tour the Depot!

A Hand to Hold

by Lindsey Kohler-Austin | Apr 17, 2026 | community, Harrisonburg, Mentorship, team

When you get older, it’s easy to forget about the things you saw as challenges when you were younger. As we grow up, we encounter new challenges to overcome; they’re daunting, scary, overwhelming and even exciting at times; but as we tackle our challenges and get the experience under our belts, these tasks become the norm, and we tend to forget about our first encounters. I was a very fortunate kid, as I often had someone there to help me face these challenges and accomplish many of my firsts, but that is not the case for everyone. Can you imagine having to go on your first roller coaster ride all alone? If I didn’t have a hand to hold on my first ride, I don’t know if I would’ve ever gotten on. Without that support, there’s a chance I wouldn’t know what it feels like to ride a roller coaster. Life is a roller coaster in and of itself, and I will gladly offer my hand; over and over again.

I have recently offered my hand to my little sister from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Harrisonburg-Rockingham County. So far, she has been very independent and brave. I’m impressed by her confidence and bravery, especially given the challenges life has already thrown at her. Maybe she feels that she must be brave and confident for others’ sake, or maybe she truly is fearless. No matter what the circumstance, I plan to be there for her; a hand to hold, a voice to reason with and a role model to look up to.

I decided to take on a little sister for many reasons, such as to have fun, to learn how to take care of kids, and to add a little whimsy back into my life, but the main reason is to help guide and support someone who may need it. When I was younger, I had a good upbringing, but I was one of four children; as you may suspect, there wasn’t always enough attention and guidance to go around. There were times when I made tough decisions on my own or learned the hard way. I think I would’ve handled those times better with a voice of reason and support. Reflecting on my childhood, I believe I would have benefited from having a mentor. If I could’ve benefited with my good upbringing, imagine how much impact a mentor could have on a mentee with less.

A mentor can have an impact on a mentee, but what many people don’t realize is that a mentee can have an impact on their mentor. All people have different perspectives, but the contrast between an adult perspective and a kid’s perspective is stark. I am always trying to put myself in other people’s shoes to understand where they’re coming from and what they’re going through. Being in the adult world has made my points of view very logical and somewhat restricted. Not everything in life is logical, and my little sister knows this. Her wild, carefree imagination allows her to think outside the box, and she is starting to teach me how to think this way again.

With a mentor guiding a mentee and a mentee rubbing off on a mentor, everyone is getting the best of both worlds. I get an amazing opportunity to help my mentee tackle the daily challenges in her life and I get to learn how to be a better person while doing it. With odds like these, I could never say no. I look forward to seeing how much we grow and all the good we can accomplish while I hold her hand and she holds mine.

Celebrating Our Very Own, Nicole Rowe!

by Lindsey Kohler-Austin | Apr 13, 2026 | Harrisonburg

If you’ve been following us on Instagram lately, noticed our new ad in a local magazine, or felt a little more “connected” to our office life through your screen, you’ve seen the work of Nicole Rowe.

While our architects spend their days focused on blueprints and building science, Nicole spends hers focusing on how we tell our story. Today, we are incredibly proud to share that her storytelling and creative strategy have earned her a spot as one of the Top 50 Interns in the state of Virginia!

Out of 121 nominees from across the Commonwealth, Nicole—a standout student at James Madison University—was selected for her initiative, leadership, and the tangible results she has delivered here at The Gaines Group.

As our Marketing Intern, Nicole has become the creative engine behind our digital presence. Architecture can sometimes feel like a complex, technical world, but Nicole has a gift for making it accessible, beautiful, and engaging. From designing eye-catching ads to managing our social media posts, she has helped us bridge the gap between our drawing boards and our community.

Celebrating a Local Talent

We love seeing JMU Dukes succeed, especially when they are making a difference right here in Harrisonburg. Nicole represents the bright future of Virginia’s workforce, proving that marketing is just as essential to a successful firm as the structures we build.

Nicole will be officially recognized on July 30 in Richmond during Virginia Intern Day. We are so lucky to have her on our team, helping us share the story of why Design Matters with all of you.

Congratulations, Nicole! Thank you for all your hard work!

Gaines Group Architects Named Top Employer for Interns!

by Lindsey Kohler-Austin | Apr 9, 2026 | Charles Hendricks, Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg Architect, Intern, Leadership, Mentorship, Office Culture

I remember my first day at the firm. I had no idea what to expect when I arrived. I knew autocad. I had an architectural degree. I had worked various jobs since I was 12, but this was the first office position. The first time that I was being asked to draw things and they would pay me for it. I understood design, but I didn’t know the 27′ rule in a kitchen, the stair formula, how far a 2 x 12 would span, or why insulation values were important. Those were not things we learned in architectural school. That first day though, I found out that my opinion mattered. The questions I asked made a difference. I could contribute to the team. I needed mentorship, but I also got to mentor those around me.

Over my 27 years at the firm I have been mentored and served as a mentor. I have learned so much from others on the team and hopefully shared some wisdom along the way. I continue to learn from our team. There is so much to know in our industry and it continues to evolve and change.

For the third year in a row our firm has been recognized as a Top Virginia Employer for Interns. This is a meaningful recognition for me personally. We have hosted dozens of high school students in job shadowing, college students as summer interns, and helped launch many into careers in architecture. This annual award celebrates the importance of providing hands on experiences, direct access to senior leadership, and a glimpse into real world skills and experiences.

Congratulations and thank you to all of the 161 employers that have put time, energy, and resources into allowing students to advance in their knowledge. Thank you for opening doors for students to explore career options.