“Growing up in extremely rural Virginia, I have always been inspired by my number one muse, nature, and the materials that are derived from it. After working in a jewelry-crafting supply store in Richmond, I began making jewelry about 10 years ago because simply put, I wanted to make original things for myself that nobody else had. Earth Metals has been the slow-developing process of turning the hand-crafted items I make and sell to friends into a tiny side business and regular hobby. I try to use natural materials when I can and have a penchant for using recycled materials as well. My work is a sum of multiple influences, from my deep fondness for the outdoors to the slight obsession with all things celestial. The literature and music that I love weave their way into my work. Death and its beautiful, rightful place in the cycle of nature is also something I’ve always pondered; you’ll see that theme reflected in my work as well. I am obviously an ardent fan of skeletons. I try not to take my art too seriously; I create for the pure and simple joy of creating. “
J. Nicole Clatterbuck is a sometimes-jewelry designer, sometimes-nature photographer, educator, caretaker, writer, and freelance music booking agent in the Shenandoah Valley. She’s also an avid reader, a mediocre painter, traveler, and a passionate outdoors explorer. She has lived in a number of stunning places but will always count herself lucky to consider Virginia “home.”
Nicole Clatterbuck will be a featured artist at Christmas at the Depot, to RSVP to this event checkhere. Or to learn more about the other featured artists at this event check out Lorie Mier, and Tony Distefano.
An artist with a camera documenting the beauty of the world. Tony DiStefano has called home many beautiful places from the forests of Western PA to the mountains of Southeastern New York State. He has now found his place in Harrisonburg – an area rich with opportunities for creative souls – for more than half of his adult life. You might recognize Tony from his many local shows and his earlier collection, “Through the Lens” back in 2019!
Tony’s work documents his love of the outdoors, as an avid hiker and fisherman since childhood, he has found wonder in nature. Inspired by his brother’s and uncle’s work with macro photography, Tony began his photographic journey in 2013. A prolific shutterbug, he has captured and shared hundreds of captivating images, ranging from birds, flowers, and insects to rural vistas and natural light portraits. While Tony’s work primarily focuses on nature he enjoys highlighting the tiny details organisms have to offer that wouldn’t normally be noticed by the human eye, giving small organisms a big personality through his macro lens. His work also highlights the beauty of texture found in nature like a praying mantis skin or a humming bird’s wings!
For more information on this event or to rsvp check here! Tony’s work will be featured along with Lori Mier’s!
Lori shares her story and inspires others through the written word. She loves chai tea and mountain sunrises with her son and is heavily influenced by the beauty and wholesomeness of nature. She invites you to meet the author at “Christmas at the Depot” on December 3rd along with other artists, Red Wing Academy, and Santa!
Broken Crayons Still Color: Life Afteris the first book by Author, Lori Mier. She is also the author of Merin and Her Very Bright Star: A story of resiliency, a children’s book that was deeply inspired by Lori’s own story of loss and healing. This book has been reviewed in the Citizen and praised as an excellent source for children to understand resiliency. She uses her story to inspire and nurture a love of reading. She has a degree in Social Work and currently works independently as an Ecotherapist Guide, Life Coach, and nature photographer, combining all of these to offer a unique and healing experience. Her healing nature photography has been published on the cover of AT Journeys magazine as well as in Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine and local travel brochures. Lori lives in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia with her husband and son, working to make her community a better place through her writing and photography.
#worldtelevisionday exists to bring awareness and acknowledge the power television has, in 1996 when this holiday was first created it was to bring attention to the effect television had on decision-making by spreading information. While television is important to understand what is happening in society, we decided to look at the fun side of television.
In honor of #worldtelevisionday our team is sharing their most binge-worthy shows to get you through the weekend! Through the pandemic, television has become a more crucial part of our lives, no one can say they haven’t spent an entire night binging their new favorite show. The pandemic highlighted just how important media is to people, and how it can actually work to keep us sane through hard times. While we are all one cohesive team we have very different tastes in what television shows we watch in our free time. Deborah love spooky mysteries, and of course, Charles is all about the classics.
From spooky murder mysteries to sweet baking shows we all define binge-worthy in our own way. Maybe our favorite shows will be your next weekend obsession?
Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) is paving the way in theatre productions with their creation of ‘U2 Romeo and Juliet‘ under the direction of Justin Poole with musical direction by Jerry Holsopple featuring Prince Bellerose. This original performance features a classic story with a twist, utilizing the intense music from the legendary band, U2.
The show was excellent according to Charles’s summary, saying “as always the students at EMU have shown that they have exceptional acting skills and musical talents.”
We could not be more proud to have been a sponsor of this amazing performance and thrilled to sponsor many more art-focused events such as First Friday, featuring Matty Tesch and Andrew Stronge. Supporting the arts community is a primary focus for our firm as we believe beauty in all forms builds a better community for all.
While you might have missed out on viewing this season’s performance, community members know to expect another amazing theatre experience next year featuring Eastern Mennonite University’s talented ensemble. For those yearning for an immersion in the arts, stay tuned for the upcoming EMS High School Musical, Alice in Wonderland, the SVCC Choir Christmas performance, and for those seeking a little more adventure, the Any Given Child as we root for Nathan May (who has an amazing singing voice that he will not get to use in this competition).
We can’t believe it is already November and we are ramping up for the first Friday festivities with featured artist: Matty Tesch! Matty was born and raised in Findlay, Ohio, and later attended Bowling Green State University (BGSU) to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design. Between being a freelance designer and marketing executive Tesch spends her free time painting natural subjects and experimenting with color interaction. She enjoys exploring the relationship between opposite tones and blending, pulling inspiration from light interactions on skin.
Most of her artwork focuses on ridiculous-looking animals and their relationship to color and pattern. Her peculiar subject matter branches directly from the pandemic- as the world became tenser she pursued lighthearted inspiration. “My paintings have no purpose other than my own amusement, I paint for myself and it has worked out well so far.” Her love of detail also plays a part in her work – throughout school she focused most of her energy on subject details disregarding the container itself, she solved this problem by just working on smaller “mini” pieces.
You can check out more of Matty’s colorful creations through the month of November at theCW Depot! Or check out her Instagram for her newest pieces! You can also learn more or RSVP to this event here.
