Shenandoah Valley native artist & designer Elwood S Madison III has only recently found a reason to call home "Home." Unsure and largely unconcerned with pursuing any one specific career during his twenties, Madison found himself jumping from city to city up and down the east coast of the states as well as select countries across Europe. Rarely content with simply visiting a location, with an interest in immersing himself in the local culture, he would find a job and a place to live for months or years at a time. Confronted with the arguments that he was jeopardizing his potential, neglecting his future, and needed to focus, Madison jokes, "I decided to craft my life somewhat in reverse and take care of retirement dreams while I was young and able." Along the way, and mostly unaware of the path that he was on, he found a thread. One that led him through experiences offering profound lessons such as the deep appreciation for well thought out products , wonderfully executed graphics, and spaces that are nothing short of magical. In 2007 Elwood Madison settled down again in Harrisonburg to study interior design at James Madison University. Working under the teachings of a few great professors he discovered the tools of design that would become the backbone of his career. In his early post-graduation years the artist entered an unintentional hibernation phase that would last through his time in DC while he searched for a job in the field of architecture. Unable to find a firm that was doing anything other than building uninspired cookie-cutter corporate and government structures he quickly realized that the normal avenue of becoming an architect which requires years of unending hours in the office laboring to, in this case, bring lifeless spaces in to existence was not a particularly enticing way to spend his thirties. Instead he decided to set off on his own, beginning with a stint of back to back shows in downtown Harrisonburg; each one specifically designed and curated for the particular location in which the work would be displayed. From choice of content to method of display each collection was catered to the space. The artist claims to only show in galleries and businesses that he supports or enjoys for any number of reasons. This M.O. Fits with the reason he typically cites for returning to Harrisonburg. "I catch myself sometimes thinking that I should be working in New York or Asheville, but I love the community here in downtown Harrisonburg. The level of support for artists in this community coupled with the density of inspirational talent in proportion to the population is exactly what I want."