FALL 2013 NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Artisans Downtown Gallery & Gifts is leaving its current gallery space in downtown Harrisonburg effective August 30, 2013. In order to reduce our carbon footprint and our overhead, we will be launching a series of micro-galleries in the months to come, with the intent of maximizing under-utilized space within existing businesses. The first such Artisans Downtown Gallery & Gifts micro-gallery will be located within The Polished Lady, which is situated in the same building as our current space at 320 South Main Street, Harrisonburg, VA. A second micro-gallery will be located in Verona and is expected to launch sometime in September. More details on the Verona gallery will be provided in the coming weeks.

With the coming of fall, our artists will be returning to our sister gallery, the Artisans Courtyard of Dayton, which re-opens for the season on September 5, 2013. The Artisans Courtyard of Dayton is located at 230 Bowman Road in historic Dayton, Virginia, and is open Thursdays through Saturdays from 10-5pm during the months of September through mid-December (Fall Season) and April through June (Spring Season). More information on our Dayton location can be found at www.artisanscourtyard.org.

We hope to see everyone at our various gallery locations in and around Harrisonburg and the surrounding Shenandoah Valley! To receive the very latest news and information on events, exhibits, new locations, and more, follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ArtisansDowntownGalleryGifts! 

Featured Artist - August 2013

During the month of August, the Artisans Downtown Gallery & Gifts will be featuring an exhibit of original handcrafted jewelry by Jewelry Designer & Member Artist Stephani Moore, Owner of Sparkling Creations Jewelry.  Originally from the Richmond area, Stephanie moved to the Shenandoah Valley in 2001 to attend James Madison University, where she received both a Bachelors and a Masters Degree in European History.  After graduation, Stephanie decided to remain in Harrisonburg, a place she considers her true home and admires for its natural beauty and the friendliness of its people.

Stephani studied jewelry design under the generous tutelage of Jewelry Designer Melanie Lebel Schaeffer, who taught her jewelry making techniques as well as offering advice on how to start up a small business.  In 2010, Stephani launched Sparkling Creations Jewelry.  In her designs, Stephani primarily uses wire wrapping techniques to twist high quality materials into unique, handcrafted jewelry pieces.  Her favorite materials to use are tarnish-resistant argentium silver, Swarovski crystals, gemstones, and copper wire.

Stephani is also a Member Artist at Artisans Downtown Gallery & Gifts and at the Artisans Courtyard of Dayton, where her work is displayed and available for purchase.  Her jewelry is also available for purchase at the Skyline Café near Massanutten Resort and via her website at  www.etsy.com/shop/SparklngCreations

Please join us on First Friday, August 2, 2013, from 5-8pm to celebrate the opening of Stephani’s Featured Artist Exhibit and to preview her stunning jewelry work. Complimentary wine and light refreshments will also be served.

The gallery is located at 320 South Main Street in the heart of historic downtown Harrisonburg. We are open Tuesday through Friday from 11:00am until 5:00pm and on Saturdays from 9:00am to 4:00pm. For more information about our Featured Artist Exhibit or the gallery, please feel free to contact us at (540) 432-2300.  

Blogsite created, written, and maintained by Jen Mandell Studios 2013

Featured Artists - June 1 through July 31, 2013

During the month of June, the Artisans Downtown Gallery & Gifts will be featuring a variety of original artwork by a few of our Resident Artists, including the oil paintings of Mary Ellen Janti, the silk paintings and artwork of Judith Townsend Rocchiccioli, and the pencil drawings of LauraLea Marlyn-Spitler.

During the month of July, the Artisans Downtown Gallery & Gifts will be featuring an exhibit of original artwork by Guest Artist, Emily Selwood.  Emily is an emerging young artist, originally from Washington, D.C. and currently residing here in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley.  Emily attended the Washington Waldorf School in Bethesda, where she was introduced to the artistic philosophy of Rudolph Steiner  -  bright lines, ethereal subjects of fairies, gnomes and imaginative play.  Emily's current interest is oil painting in an eclectic abstract style.  She creates on large canvases using bright jewel tones and vivid colors.  The opening celebration and preview of Emily's exhibit is scheduled for 6pm on Friday, July 5, 2013 at Artisans Downtown Gallery & Gifts.  The event is free and open to the public.  Complimentary wine, cheese, and light refreshments will also be served.

 The gallery is located at 320 South Main Street in the heart of historic downtown Harrisonburg. We are open Tuesday through Friday from 11:00am until 5:00pm and on Saturdays from 9:00am to 6:00pm. For more information about the Artisans Downtown Gallery & Gifts or its affiliated galleries, please feel free to contact us by phone at (540) 432-2300.

Summer 2013 "Youth Art on Saturdays" Series

Artisans Downtown Gallery & Gifts will be hosting a "Youth Art on Saturdays" series this summer for children ages 7-14. The classes will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at the Artisans Downtown Gallery, which is located at 320 South Main Street in historic downtown Harrisonburg, Virginia. The class schedule is as follows:

Saturday, June 15, 2013 - Cartooning

Saturday, June 22, 2013 - Paint Flowers in Acrylics

Saturday, June 29, 2013 - Draw Animals in Pastels

Saturday, July 13, 2013 - Paint Hardscapes in Watercolors

Saturday, July 20, 2013 - Paper Mache Sheep

The cost for each class is $20 and includes supplies. For more information and/or to register for one or more of these classes, please call us at 540-432-2300 or 540-578-1680.

Spring 2013 Featured Exhibit - "Images of Art" by Polly Holden Nunn

Welcome to the Artisans Downtown Gallery & Gifts!

From April 1 - May 31, 2013, the gallery is featuring a collection of the artistic works of Polly Holden Nunn. Polly is a local multimedia artist and Fine Arts graduate of James Madison University. Her works include Oils, Watercolors, Acrylics, Sculpture, and Clay! Prior to returning home to her beloved Shenandoah Valley last year, Polly was represented by the Century Gallery in Williamsburg, Virginia.


For more information about this artist, her paintings, the works of any of our other member artists, or any  art works available in or through the Artisans Downtown Gallery & Gifts or its affiliated galleries, please feel free to contact us by phone at (540) 432-2300 or by email at artisansdowntown@gmail.com.

March's Featured Exhibit - Mirages by Amanda Wilson

Welcome to the Artisans Downtown Gallery & Gifts!

During the month of March 2013, the gallery is featuring the paintings of recent James Madison University art graduate, Amanda Wilson. Amanda's paintings focus on the concept of the dual nature of man, of good and evil. Below are some samples of Amanda's work.

For more information about this artist, her paintings, the works of any of our member artists, or any  art works available in or through the Artisans Downtown Gallery & Gifts or its affiliated galleries, please feel free to contact us by phone at (540) 432-2300 or by email at artisansdowntown@gmail.com.