We are so excited about having Lori Mier return for a First Friday at the Depot. Please join us June 6th to meet the author of “Merin and Her Very Bright Star: A Story of Resiliency” and see her photography show A Bond with the Landscape.
A Bond with the Landscape
June 6, 2025
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
2nd Floor
141 W. Bruce St.
Harrisonburg, VA, 22801
About the artist:
Lori Mier, known online to some as Lori May, is a passionate lifelong learner and a self-proclaimed grief rebel. Her life is a tapestry woven with love for her son (an emerging 7th grader), cherished friendships that have become family, and a dedication to community work. Lori’s enthusiasm for coffee and fashion is matched by her profound appreciation for mountain sunrises.
As the author of “Merin and Her Very Bright Star: A Story of Resiliency,” Lori draws from her personal journey of loss and healing to let children know that grief is real and it is okay. She is currently crafting a poetic memoir that promises to delve deeper into her experiences. With a degree in Social Work, Lori founded “Through Hiking,” a not-for-profit initiative offering guided hikes to foster care agencies and youth, fostering a connection with nature and resilience.
As the author of “Merin and Her Very Bright Star: A Story of Resiliency,” Lori draws from her personal journey of loss and healing to let children know that grief is real and it is okay. She is currently crafting a poetic memoir that promises to delve deeper into her experiences. With a degree in Social Work, Lori founded “Through Hiking,” a not-for-profit initiative offering guided hikes to foster care agencies and youth, fostering a connection with nature and resilience.
Lori’s commitment to education and social justice is evident in her past role on the Equity Committee for Rockingham County Public Schools and her current position on the Board of Directors for the RISE Foundation in Waynesboro, VA. Although not a native Virginian, Lori has found her true home in the Shenandoah Valley.
In August, Lori will embark on a new chapter as a middle school English teacher, building on her timeserving in AmeriCorps when she was 21 assisting in a classroom in the Bronx, NY
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five years with RISE Scholars, three years of experience as a substitute teacher and her imminent teaching license. Passionate about nurturing the diverse social, cultural, emotional, and academic traits, and sparking the energy of middle school students, she is intentional and dedicated to igniting a love for reading, writing, and speaking. Her classroom will be a shelter because she is a shelter.
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five years with RISE Scholars, three years of experience as a substitute teacher and her imminent teaching license. Passionate about nurturing the diverse social, cultural, emotional, and academic traits, and sparking the energy of middle school students, she is intentional and dedicated to igniting a love for reading, writing, and speaking. Her classroom will be a shelter because she is a shelter.
Her journey as a nature photographer began nearly a decade ago, capturing the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains. Her work, featured in publications like AT Journeys and Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine, is available on her Etsy shop, Butterfly And The Storm.
Lori’s artistic journey was unexpected; she embraced the title of photographer only after repeated inquiries about her healing sunrise and sunset images. Her connection to nature traces back to her Minnesota childhood and her early years in Oregon, where her parents tragically lost their lives. A return to Oregon in2020 revealed the striking resemblance between those mountains and the Shenandoah Valley, deepening her bond with the landscape. Through her photography, Lori shares the spiritual and therapeutic essence of her hikes, inviting others to experience the magic of morning and evening light.
*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.
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!
