by Charles Hendricks | May 16, 2024 | artwork, citizen architect, community, First Friday, Harrisonburg Architect, Local Leaders, Office Culture
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.
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
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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!
by Charles Hendricks | Apr 19, 2024 | artwork, citizen architect, community, First Friday, Harrisonburg Architect, Local Leaders, Office Culture
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.
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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!
by Charles Hendricks | Mar 29, 2024 | artwork, citizen architect, community, First Friday, Harrisonburg Architect, Local Leaders, Office Culture
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
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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!
by Charles Hendricks | Mar 26, 2024 | citizen architect, community, Empathy
By Designer, Aliyah D. White.
As a firm, we practice design as an act of service. We work closely together with our clients to create projects that are completely custom and unique to their needs. Well-rounded and well-designed projects should aim to better people’s lives by taking in their ideas and input. As designers and architects, we are driven by the passion of using our skills to help people better their environments. Practicing design as an act of service means meeting our clients where they are, working hard to understand their needs, and leading with empathy and patience to help bring their visions to life. These are the projects that have the power to truly connect people and meaningfully better their environment. Here are a few examples of projects we designed with this in mind!
Church Street Townhomes
The Church Street Townhomes project in Christiansburg, Virginia was developed by Habitat for Humanity in New River Valley. Working together with Habitat for Humanity has been a valuable part of us reaching our goal of building strong communities and it is always a pleasure working with an organization that shares our values. The seven conjoined townhomes are fully accessible for people of all abilities and EarthCraft and Energy-Star certified.
Speech and Language Center
The Speech and Language Center in Harrisonburg, Virginia came to us with a very particular problem. The client needed to grow the functional space of the building while only being able to add a few feet to two sides of the building. We worked closely with the client and the builder to expand the space and were able to successfully deliver the right solution for this business to continue to grow and thrive. Teamwork makes the dream work!
Eastern Mennonite School
The Eastern Mennonite School in Harrisonburg, Virginia was a renovation project aimed at converting a three-story office building into an elementary school. The project focused specifically on sustainable practices and creation care, which was important to our non-profit client. We worked together with the teachers, administration, and students at the school to create a space that would enhance the learning environment.
When engaging a client in the design process it is important for us to make sure they feel heard and know we are here to support them and what they want for the future of their space. We encourage all potential, current, and past clients to engage in conversations with us about what they want for themselves, and their communities, and how we can help them get there. Being in constant conversation with the people we serve is important to us, and we also can do community presentations to share our wealth of knowledge and help advance people’s community building. Including the community in the design process is an invaluable learning opportunity and allows for a greater capacity to make meaningful changes with architecture. Using design as an act of service looks like giving tools to people who do not have them and listening to their wants and needs.
by Charles Hendricks | Jan 11, 2024 | architecture, community, project update
Dust is in the air and this time it is not from dancers supporting a wonderful organization. The Harrisonburg Rockingham Day Care Center is under construction!
For 52 years HRCDCC has provided affordable childcare for the Harrisonburg and Rockingham community. Following their Dances with the Stars of the Burg fundraising campaign, the Center has raised enough funds to purchase and renovate an existing building on East Market Street. This building will allow the Daycare to continue providing sliding scale daycare opportunities in the heart of downtown Harrisonburg, something that is much needed.
The next fundraising goal is to fill the remaining funding gap for building expenses. WHSV covered this update and gives more description of what the funds will be used for here. Consider donating to this amazing organization that does so much for the community. Donation page here. Read more about their programs and reach at their website.
Harrisonburg Construction is the general contractor for this project and a long time supporter of the organization. They, along with Blauch Brothers, Mid-Valley Electric and many other trade partners, will take our design to reality over the coming months.
by Charles Hendricks | Nov 24, 2023 | artwork, citizen architect, community, First Friday, Harrisonburg Architect, Local Leaders, Office Culture
Red Wing Academy is back this year to play music for our special Holiday and First Friday event on Friday, December 1st from 5:00 – 7:00pm. We absolutely love supporting and partnering with Red Wing Academy each year, and it is such a pleasure to get to host a small group of these talented students each year for our holiday celebrations.
Red Wing Academy is hosted by Eric Brubaker of The Steel Wheels as a four-day intensive camp, leading up to a performance on-stage with the band at Red Wing Roots Music Festival. It’s open to non-beginner violin, viola, cello, bass, guitar, mandolin and banjo students ages 5 – 19. Students receive individual and group instruction from highly trained music teachers and are coached by members of The Steel Wheels throughout the week. It’s an incredible opportunity to play with and learn from music experts.
Gaines Group Architects sponsors the camp each year as a way to support the next generation of musicians in our community. A focus on musical instruction not only teaches kids how to play, but studies have shown that it accelerates brain development in young children, particularly in the areas of the brain that are responsible for processing sound, language development, speech perception, and reading skills.
Below, read more about Red Wing Academy and see clips of their performances at EMU and on-stage at the Red Wing Roots Music Festival.
“We see the old lines between instruction and play dissolving, bringing the spirit of traditional American music into the classroom, and fusing the culture of festivals with expert training in string instruments and live performance.
Red Wing Academy’s mission is to nurture both the wings and the roots of the newest generation of old time musicians. We provide emerging, student musicians with the skills, talents, and community to go beyond classical training into the culture of improvisational performance and group play, the hallmark of a genre that has always celebrated spontaneity and place as part of its sound and tradition.”
This event is free and open to everyone. Refreshments will be served, there will be artists and craft vendors, 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.
