First Friday Artist April Sachs

First Friday Artist April Sachs

by | Jun 21, 2024 | artwork, First Friday

On July 5th from 5:00pm-7:00pm, we are thrilled to host a First Fridays Gallery Opening at The Depot featuring artist April Sachs (she/her)! Join us to welcome April and view her gallery entitled Rising (March 20, 2022-March 20, 2023), and to enjoy refreshments and community. RSVP for this event on our Facebook and get to know her more in her biography below!

*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 needs. We are aware of this need and we apologize greatly if this changes your ability to attend.

Bio

April Sachs is an accidental artist. She currently teaches at Eastern Mennonite School in Harrisonburg, and has also worn the hats of linguist, bookkeeper, office manager, and library assistant. She enjoys writing poetry, gardening, reading, and dancing at sunrise.
 

Artist Statement

Rising (March 20, 2022-March 20, 2023)
 

In late 2021, in the midst of life-changing events, I decided to photograph a constant: the sunrise. The result is 366 sunrise photos, all taken in exactly the same spot. But they are far from identical. The images portray the same scene in many moods, reflecting the changing seasons, weather, and position of the sun (from equinox to solstice and back again).

These photos, each similar and yet unique, echo my own experiences during that year. Sometimes I felt as bleak as the cloudy February mornings, when for days at a time I had to guess at the moment of sunrise, since the sun itself could not be seen. Other days were as joyful as the mist-filled mornings of June, with a mockingbird in the adjacent pasture, singing, flying, and falling with pure delight in life. But whether my own internal weather was bleak or joyful, I knew I had foundations as constant as the sunrise. This was my year of rising.

“Rising” Sneak Peek

Sunrise over field. Snail on table.

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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! We will have food and drink available!

First Friday Artist Rebecca Ryan

First Friday Artist Rebecca Ryan

by | May 16, 2024 | artwork, First Friday

On June 7th from 5:00pm-7:00pm, we are thrilled to host a First Fridays Gallery Opening at The Depot featuring artist Rebecca Ryan (she/her)! Join us to welcome Rebecca and view her gallery entitled Orchards in Spring, and to enjoy refreshments and community. RSVP for this event on our Facebook and get to know her more in her biography below!

*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 needs. We are aware of this need and we apologize greatly if this changes your ability to attend.

 

First Friday Artist Rebecca Ryan with her partner.

Bio:

Rebecca Ryan has been a Shenandoah Valley based artist since 2011. She is an acrylic artist who draws inspiration from living on her family’s working fruit farm. Her art is influenced by impressionism and open-impressionism and uses thick brush strokes of bold color to create the natural light and drama of her subject matter.  Rebecca has been showing art in the downtown area since 2011 and has had gallery shows at Madison hotel and a permanent display at Clementine Cafe. She sells her art from the Harrisonburg Farmers Market in downtown Harrisonburg and takes commissions.

“Orchards in Spring” Sneak Peek

Painting of a field.

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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! We will have food and drink available!

First Friday Artist Noemi Salome

First Friday Artist Noemi Salome

by | Apr 19, 2024 | artwork, First Friday

On Friday, May 3rd from 5:00pm-7:00pm, we are thrilled to host a First Fridays Gallery Opening at The Depot featuring multidisciplinary artist and designer Noemi Salome (she/her)! Join us to welcome her and view her mixed-media gallery entitled Curiosity, and to enjoy refreshments and community. RSVP for this event on Facebook here and get to know her more in her biography below!

*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 needs. We are aware of this need and we apologize greatly if this changes your ability to attend.

Bio:

Noemi Salome (she/her) is a multi-disciplinary artist and designer from the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Inspired by the natural world, Noemi’s art includes graphic design, sewing, and multi-media experimentation with ink, acrylic, watercolor, pastels, and collage – all of which are featured in her exhibition entitled “Curiosity”. She enjoys making yummy messes in the kitchen, hiking, and learning as much as she can about art and life. You can find out more about her art at noemisalome.com or follow along on Instagram @noemisalomedesign.

 

Artist Statement:

Gallery Title: Curiosity

I have always believed that lifelong learning and exploration are important for a joyful and creatively fulfilling existence that resists confines. As a multi-disciplinary artist, my art follows my free spirit, which lives in a state of constant curiosity. Whether in watercolor, acrylic, or graphic design, my work lingers in the confusing space between the simplicity of the natural world and the complex, tangled mess of human rule, transforming the confusion into something tangible, something beautiful. Welcome to my world of curiosity.

“Curiosity” Sneak Peek

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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! We will have food and drink available!

First Friday Artist Claire Parsley

First Friday Artist Claire Parsley

by | Mar 29, 2024 | artwork, First Friday

On Friday, April 5th from 5:00pm-7:00pm, we are thrilled to start our First Fridays at the Depot back up again with a Gallery Opening featuring the multi-talented artist Claire Parsley (she/they)! Join us to welcome them and view their mixed-media gallery of cat portraits, entitled Ineffable Cats Through Time, and to enjoy refreshments and community. RSVP for this event on Facebook here and get to know them more in their biography below!

*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 needs. We are aware of this need and we apologize greatly if this changes your ability to attend.

 

Bio:

Hello all!

My name is Claire and I am a local artist who has scribbled on every surface and slapped stickers everywhere since I was a wee one. I love the act of creation, especially the 3D kind. I believe in building over buying any day, there is nothing more satisfying than owning something that your own magical mind thought up and your very hands brought to life. The effort and hours adds to the beauty. For this gallery I have poured hours upon hours into making cat portraits of the mixing media variety. I find them immensely silly and I hope they knock your socks off. Take your time to find the buttons, beads and cloths layered in with the acrylic paint! Thanks for coming out to my show!

If you like what you see, feel free to follow my account to stay tuned in! My official art instagram is @cparse.art. If you aren’t engaged with social media, my contact info is on my business card so definitely snag one if you want to inquire about commissions or otherwise!

 

“Ineffable Cats Through Time” Sneak Peek

Multi-media cat on checkerboard portrait by Claire Parsley. Multi-media formal cat portrait by Claire Parsley. Multi-media cat mermaid portrait by Claire Parsley.

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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! We will have food and drink available!

First Friday Artist: Wood and Wool

First Friday Artist: Wood and Wool

by | Nov 23, 2023 | artwork, community, First Friday

On Friday, December 1st from 5:00 – 7:00pm, we are thrilled to host a special Holiday Celebration/First Friday event at the Depot and host Lynn and Phil Adams of Wood and Wool. Lynn specializes in needle felting and Phil in wood turning. Their holiday-themed creations will be available for sale and make perfect holiday gifts!

Join us to welcome Wood and Wool, enjoy refreshments, and celebrate the holidays with the community. Also don’t miss our other featured artists and vendors, Randy Harman, Russ Eanes, and David Sutton with music by Red Wing Academy. Check out work by Wood and Wool below and RSVP for the event here.

This event is free and open to everyone. Refreshments will be served and there will be opportunities to take photos with Santa himself. We look forward to seeing you there, and you can RSVP at our event page here.

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). This month, artwork by our featured artist, Randy Harman, will remain on exhibit through the month. Come view the show anytime and get a tour the Depot! We will have food and drink available!

First Friday Artist: David Sutton

First Friday Artist: David Sutton

by | Nov 22, 2023 | artwork, community, First Friday

Don’t worry if you’ve missed him at the Harrisonburg Farmers Market because we’re excited to announce another artist at our special Holiday Celebration/First Friday event, David Sutton! Join us on Friday, December 1st from 5:00 – 7:00pm to welcome David and view his beautiful hand-turned woodwork which will be for sale – perfect gifts for the Christmas holiday. Also, don’t miss our other featured artists and vendors, Randy Harman, Wood and Wool, and Russ Eanes with music by Red Wing Academy. Read more about David and “Port Farm Wood Turnings” below. RSVP for the event here.

Artist David Sutton

Bio:

I grew up in Penn Laird, VA and went to Montevideo High School and became interested in wood turning as a part of shop class. After college I had a career with the University of Florida with their aquatic plant program. After I retired to Port Republic, Virginia I pursued my interest in plants. I joined the Harrisonburg Farmers Market in 2007 to offer plants and produce. I remembered how much I enjoyed turning wood during shop class so I bought a lathe and began to make rolling pins and added them to my offerings at the Market. Many of the wood products I now offer come from suggestions of customers.

 

About Port Farm Wood Turnings:

Most wood is from local trees. I try to showcase the natural beauty and grain characteristic of the wood while trying to items items that have a functional use. All wood products are food safe and water resistant. 

This event is free and open to everyone. Refreshments will be served and there will be opportunities to take photos with Santa himself. We look forward to seeing you there, and you can RSVP at our event page here.

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). This month, artwork by our featured artist, Randy Harman, will remain on exhibit through the month. Come view the show anytime and get a tour the Depot! We will have food and drink available!