Curio, is a magazine highlighting stories from the Shenandoah Valley, and is written, edited, and published by seniors in the Media Arts & Design program at James Madison University.

Curio is a non-profit organization that was founded by Dr. David Wendelken in 1978 and is supported by the College of Arts and Letters and the School of Media Arts & Design. Subscriptions are not available.

Letter From The Editor

Dear Reader,

The Curio staff shares a love for the breathtaking Valley we had the gift to call home over the past couple of years. The history, culture and scenery of the Shenandoah Valley are a few of the many reasons we chose to be a part of this team. Over this past semester, we have spent hours exploring unwritten pages of the Valley to present them to you wrapped in glossy pages. This year’s edition of Curio features stories of familiar faces and places that have impacted the Valley, such as Rockingham County’s Clerk of Circuit Court, Chaz Haywood, and local businesses including sustainable second-hand shop Dart, and freshly opened Liberty Street Merchantiles. 

This magazine wouldn’t be possible without a staff dedicated to serving the reader. Each individual a part of our team has poured their heart out and encouraged one another to produce memorable stories that impact both the reader and the local community as a whole. We also want to give a special thanks to our advisor Brad Jenkins who has patiently guided us in the process and encouraged our vision daily, helping our ideas come to life one page at a time. 

We are proud to present the 46th edition of Curio. Take this as our love letter to the Valley.  

We hope you find immense joy in reading about and discovering more of what makes the Shenandoah Valley not just a place, but a home to be proud of. 

With love,

Caroline Stoaks | Editor-in-Chief