First Friday Artist: David Sutton

First Friday Artist: David Sutton

by | Nov 22, 2023 | artwork, citizen architect, community, First Friday, Harrisonburg Architect, Local Leaders, Office Culture

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!

First Friday Artist: Russ Eanes

First Friday Artist: Russ Eanes

by | Nov 21, 2023 | artwork, citizen architect, community, First Friday, Harrisonburg Architect, Local Leaders, Office Culture

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 author Russ Eanes. Russ will be signing and selling copies of his latest book, Pilgrim Paths to Assisi: 300 Miles on the Way of St. Francis. Join us to welcome him, enjoy refreshments, and celebrate the holidays with the community. Also don’t miss our other featured artists and vendors, Randy Harman, Wood and Wool, and David Sutton with music by Red Wing Academy. Read more about Russ and his books below. RSVP for the event here.

Artist Russ Eanes

Bio:

Russ Eanes is a writer, walker, and cyclist from Harrisonburg. Formerly the Publisher and Executive Director for MennoMedia, he has written and published two books about his pilgrimage experiences in recent years.

His latest book, published this year, is Pilgrim Paths to Assisi: 300 Miles on the Way of St. Francis. He is also author of the bestselling The Walk of a Lifetime: 500 Miles on the Camino de Santiago. In addition to writing, he works as a publishing consultant and tour host and guide, specializing in active travel for older adults.

He and his wife Jane have six children and eight grandchildren.

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: Randy Harman

First Friday Artist: Randy Harman

by | Nov 20, 2023 | artwork, citizen architect, community, First Friday, Harrisonburg Architect, Local Leaders, Office Culture

On Friday, December 1st from 5:00pm-7:00pm, we are thrilled to host a First Fridays Gallery Opening and special Holiday Party at The Depot which will feature the talented artist Randy Harman! Join us to view Randy’s exhibition, a bold pop of color of poured painting, and to enjoy refreshments and community. Get to know more about Randy and his art below, and RSVP on Facebook here.

Also, don’t miss our other featured artists and vendors with their work for sale, Russ Eanes, Wood and Wool, and David Sutton with music by Red Wing Academy.

Artist Randy Harman

Bio:

Randy Harman is a native of Harrisonburg and the beautiful Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. Randy has worked in the real estate industry since 1996—first as a Realtor, then three years later obtaining his Principal Brokers license and founding Harman Realty, Inc.

Mirroring his own colorful personality, he birthed a lively and family-focused corporate culture while maintaining a strict dedication to the personal and career development of each of his employees. It was this combination of ingredients, coupled with a technology-forward approach, that would prove to be Harman Realty’s special recipe—fueling its sustained growth for decades to come.

Outside of the office, Mr. Harman has many hobbies; but the greatest of these has been his love of art. He has an eye for color usage, as evidenced by his most recent passion for, and the subject of this display, the abstract method of painting called poured or fluid painting using the highest quality of acrylic paint. Randy has been an artist in many areas of his life including palette knife painting with heavy body paints, silk painting using alcohol paints and inks, as well as the art of Shibori which is an ancient method of silk dying and forming colorful permanent pleats in the fabric. Randy also enjoys working in several aspects of art within the use of various textiles, ie fabrics, strings, cords, etc. Randy continues to evolve and expand his artistic ventures but has found much joy and satisfaction in his most recent conquest, the poured or fluid method of painting.

Randy lives in Harrisonburg with his husband Kyle, travels often to visit his daughter attending college in Miami, all while running his business and exceling and expanding in his art! Randy can be reached at his email which is [email protected] or his mobile phone which is 540-246-4300. Randy also has an Etsy store where he displays many of his latest paintings, so feel free to find him there. The address for his Etsy shop is www.etsy.com/shop/RandyHarmanArt .

Randy Harman Signature. CEO Harman Realty, Inc.

This event is free and open to everyone. Refreshments will be served and we look forward to seeing you there! See the event page and RSVP 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). 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!

Celebrate the Holidays at the Depot!

Celebrate the Holidays at the Depot!

by | Nov 20, 2023 | artwork, citizen architect, community, First Friday, Office Culture

It’s once again the time of year when the cold begins to creep onto your windows and as you peer outside, your breath fogs over the glass. The smell of spices and holiday pine greenery begin to fill the air. There’s a tease of snow on the horizon. … You get the picture.

At the Depot, we’re already in the holiday spirit, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you! On Friday, December 1st, join us at the Depot for a special Holiday Party and First Friday event filled with artists galore, craft vendors, refreshments, community, music, an appearance by Santa himself, and more!

Artists featured on the second floor will be Randy Harman, showing his poured acrylic work; author Russ Eanes with copies of his newest book available for sale and signing; Wood and Wool, needle felting and woodturning for sale by Lynn and Phil Adams; and David Sutton of Port Farm, selling his hand-turned woodwork. This is the perfect time to buy local, handmade gifts for the holidays. Also, don’t miss a group from Red Wing Academy who will grace us with their appearance as they fill the space with music.

This is a free and kid-friendly event, and everyone is welcome and invited to join. A special thanks to our neighbors R.S. Monger and Sons Inc. and Herr & Co. for co-hosting this community event. RSVP for the event on Facebook here.

Christmas tree and decorations. Christmas decorations.
Invitation to Holiday Party and First Friday Event on December 1, 2023.
We love Harrisonburg downtown

We love Harrisonburg downtown

by | Nov 17, 2023 | architecture, citizen architect, Harrisonburg Architect

Recently Harrisonburg has been getting national press for what we already know about our community: it’s an amazing place to live, work, and play. We love Harrisonburg, we absolutely love Harrisonburg downtown, and we know that you will too. As hype for ESPN College Game Day at JMU covers the town this weekend due to an undefeated JMU Dukes football team (we are also celebrating JMU’s #24 in the country basketball team), we are seeing so much hype for our friendly city. Recently, Southern Living Magazine wrote a love letter about the place where author Tara Massouleh McCay says “she could live.”
Duke dog holding gaines group t-shirt.
JMU football stadium.
The beauty of our city is that we know each other and want to see each other do well, thrive, have fun. We are the Friendly City in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, surrounded by nature’s beauty and close enough to the bigger cities that we have access to what we don’t have in just a short drive (and still the ability to come back home the same day). If you have not visited our city, whether you are here for football, hiking, food, or just fun – here are some of the places and things you should know about that the national magazines and out of towner reports have not told you.
Visit the Harrisonburg Farmer’s Market on a Saturday morning, ask David Sutton with Port Farm about his plants, cutting boards, and rolling pins. Mention that you would love to hear more about his Dad and the Chesapeake Western Depot. Go see Nico at Mill Song Bakery and get a lunchbox loaf (maybe get two because it will not last long once you taste it). If you want the bread to disappear even faster, stop by to see Mike at Hott Apiary for some local honey. Pick up some flowers from Mary Jo’s Flowers and give them to someone you love – they will love them.
Love Sculpture.
We have the best Children’s museum, Explore More Discovery Museum, for young innovators, creators, and investigators. You can be a news reporter, car mechanic, doctor, dentist, scientist, actor. veterinarian, farmer, or builder. There is a maker space, airplane, ambulance, and stock market all inside the building. There are scheduled activities, classes, and even a Lego league available. The work that Lisa, Melanie, Marcia, Caroline, Kelly and their team do to make this the best museum possible is inspiring. Visit and see this amazing facility when you are downtown – shop in their store to help support them or just make a donation online to allow them to continue to grow this amazing community resource.
A must visit is to go see Mira at Rocktown Kitchen for lunch. Get the Fried Chicken sandwich (or the wedge salmon salad, or the burger, or the BBQ – everything that Chef Kristo creates is amazing). If you decide that you must return for dinner, you will probably need to reserve a seat while you are there for lunch. Word is out about how good it is to eat there. If Rocktown is too busy or not on your way, stop at Texas Inn for a Cheesy and say hi to Angie or pop across the street to one of Aaron’s places and get some fried mac and cheese at Billy Jack’s or Jack Brown’s for an Elvis (one of the best burgers you will ever experience).
You don’t want to miss Ten Thousand Villages for their amazing creations from around the world and stop in Agora Market to see what Heartworn Vintage has found that will have your vintage heart thumping.
Love Sculpture in front of Court Square
If you have someone that likes stickers, keychains, wall hangings, pens, candles, or jewelry, you have to stop by The Lady Jane to see what Sara has stocked for the holidays. The store is FULL of amazing finds. I always stuff the stockings at Christmas with the awesome things she has procured for the shop. This is also the shop where I find Ros O’Brien’s natured inspired ceramics. Her creations are beautiful and always a popular gift from Christmas ornaments to coffee cups.
As you continue up main street, drop in Oasis Fine Art and Craft to talk with Barbara and the other artists about their creations. You will want to see what Delaney has painted and let your young artists make something in the Kid’s Corner.
Old Harrisonburg building.
Now that you have made it to the historic Court Square you will want to take some time to enjoy the architecture of our courthouse, read about Charlotte Harris’s fate in 1878 on one of our local historic markers, and find out more about the springhouse.
Go visit Glen’s Fair Price Store – Harrisonburg’s most Unusual Store – to find rare and not rare toys, games, costumes, pranks and other fun things you did not know you needed.
That is a full day of fun and I did not even mention The Golden Pony pizza, Clementine’s Concerts, Kline’s ice cream, the shows at Court Square Theater, the games at Horizon gifts, the Massanutten Regional Library, The Lo (get the small) at Lola’s Deli, the murals throughout, the duck scavenger hunt, the buenos dias at Cuban burger, salmon at Beyond, the records you can find at Wonder Skate shop, or stopping in to talk to Mike at Water Street Vintage.
Then there is north downtown and all the shops and restaurants you should visit, the amazing team at HDR that works on programs and events for downtown, and of course my favorite place in all of downtown – The Depot. Come visit, see our art gallery, explore our historic artifacts, or get a building designed.
First Friday Artist: Joe Fitzgerald

First Friday Artist: Joe Fitzgerald

by | Oct 24, 2023 | artwork, citizen architect, community, First Friday, Harrisonburg Architect, Local Leaders, Office Culture

On Friday, November 3rd from 5:00pm-7:00pm, we are thrilled to host a First Fridays Gallery Opening at The Depot featuring the talented photographer Joe Fitzgerald! Join us to view Joe’s exhibition, “Sense of Place,” and to enjoy food, refreshments, and community. Get to know more about Joe and his art below and RSVP on Facebook here.

First Friday artist Joe Fitzgerald's headshot

Biography:

I’ve been a newspaper editor, Harrisonburg mayor, political hack, reporter, writer, programmer, photographer, webmaster, tech writer, and a night clerk in a 7-Eleven. Not all at the same time. I’m retired now, so I’m only doing two of those – photos and writing – and only when I want to. Like everybody else, I’m trying to keep my cool while the world doesn’t. I’m married to Deb, economics professor at BRCC and the only person I know of to chair both the city’s School Board and its Planning Commission. She spots photos for me, tells me when I’ve processed one too much, suggests which ones to print, and helps me hang them. I do the rest, including pointing the camera, choosing the f-stop, and taking the credit.

Artist Statement:

“Sense of Place,” photos by Joe Fitzgerald. “We travel, and Deb says, “Look over there,” and I have a camera with me. Beyond that, the photos have to speak for themselves, even if I’m never sure what they’re saying.”

photograph of mountains by Joe Fitzgerald
photograph entitled, "Mosco Street"

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