SUMMARY: The School of Art, Design, and Art History proudly celebrates the reopening of the artWorks Gallery and New Image Gallery.
The School of Art, Design, and Art History proudly celebrates the reopening of the artWorks Gallery and the New Image Gallery. Both spaces had been closed during the renovation and reconfiguration of The Arts at 131 W. Grace, and we are thrilled to welcome our community back.
Emergence, SADAH’s selected student exhibition, presents work from across the school, including Architectural Design, Art History, Foundations, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Studio Art, and the Art Education Licensure Program.
Director MiKyoung Lee reflected on the collaborative spirit behind the exhibition: “I am deeply grateful that this project brought the entire school together, beginning last spring. From planning with the SADAH Leadership Team, to the tireless preparation by our staff, to the collaborative installation efforts of faculty and students—and most importantly, the outstanding student work—this exhibition reflects a true collective effort.
The New Image Gallery will be curated on a rotating basis by Studio Art faculty, with Professor of Photography Corinne Diop serving as liaison. Diop describes the gallery as a dynamic space for contemporary art, featuring regional, national, and international artists. “New Image Gallery allows for flexible programming,” she explained. “While Duke Gallery may schedule exhibitions years in advance, New Image can respond to opportunities as they arise. Artists who exhibit here are often invited to campus to visit classes, give talks, and offer demonstrations.”
Currently on view is Arthur Liou’s meditative 14-minute film Kora, documenting a pilgrimage in Tibet. Discovered by SADAH curator and art history professor Dr. Beth Hinderliter, Liou’s visit included a public lecture, individual meetings with graduate students, and discussions about the intersection of technology and art.
Still from Kora
Meanwhile, the energy of Emergence fills the artWorks Gallery. On view February 2 through March 10, 2026, the exhibition is open to the public Tuesday through Friday, 1–4 p.m. Visitors encounter a wide range of projects: architectural proposals for a Mineral Museum, Foundations explorations, evocative photography, interactive puzzles, meticulously crafted leather shoes and furniture prototypes from Industrial Design, and ambitious large-scale paintings.
Faculty in each area selected the works for inclusion. In Industrial Design, projects were chosen based on craftsmanship, conceptual strength, storytelling, and presentation quality. Professor Anna Marie Smith explained that faculty met after final critiques to deliberate and select the strongest projects from advanced studios in furniture and footwear design.
Student response has been enthusiastic. Lisa Tubach, Professor of Art and Foundations Coordinator, noted that participating Foundations students felt validated and energized by the experience. “It clearly gave them confidence for further creative pursuits,” she said.
Jori Ann Erdman, Professor and Architectural Design coordinator, said of her exhibited assignment, “We had the students examining minerals for structure and color which then got deployed in the design of a Mineral Museum for downtown Harrisonburg. We visited the JMU Mineral Museum as well as the Halls of Gems and Minerals at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. The featured projects show the student process work as well as the final designs of two students.” She continued, “It is vital to share the excellent work being done in the School of Art, Design and Art History with the community. The Board of the American Institute of Architects Virginia was in town for a meeting and came to the show during First Fridays. They were impressed with the work of the Architectural Design students as well as the entire School, many of them seeing our work for the first time.”
Erdman’s students Mason Wynn and Owen McGuill reflected on the collaborative atmosphere of Emergence. Wynn shared, “Seeing my work side by side with my classmates’ really showed how hard we worked and how unique our styles are.” McGuill added, “It was a delight to display my work in a professional gallery setting. It reminded me of what SADAH students are capable of creating.”
"It is vital to share the excellent work being done in the School of Art, Design, and Art History with the community."
- Professor Jori Ann Erdman
Fiber student Kate Funk described the excitement of seeing her work installed for the first time. She appreciated the variety of disciplines represented and enjoyed conversations with students from other majors, especially Architecture, noting both the differences and similarities in their creative processes.
Painting professor Nieko McDaniel praised the accessibility of the renovated artWorks space. “It feels open and welcoming to the Harrisonburg community,” he said. He also appreciated gaining greater awareness of the Architectural Design program through the exhibition, particularly admiring cardboard structural works that balanced architectural precision with sculptural presence.
For JMU students, seeing Emergence gives them the chance to get out of their own lane for a while, and to see possibilities for study that perhaps they didn’t know about. Prospective students can also tour Emergence and gain information about potential studies.
Director Lee concluded, “Throughout the process of creating Emergence, I witnessed the strength, care, and remarkable teamwork that define the School of Art, Design, and Art History. We are excited to be part of The Arts at 131 W. Grace and look forward to many future exhibitions that will continue advancing our mission.”
