Weekly eNews

18th Annual Student Art Exhibition Opening Reception (Tonight)

Friday, April 10 from 7-9pm. Del Ray Artisans and the T.C. Williams High School Art Department present the 18th Annual Student Art Exhibition, featuring artwork from T.C. Williams High School students, with special recognition given to members of the National Art Honor Society. Silent auction to benefit the Ted Eichers Scholarship Fund. Details: DelRayArtisans.org

Kids Pinwheel Making Event (Tomorrow)

Saturday, April 11 from 10am-12pm. Del Ray Artisans is teaming up with SCAN VA (Stop Child Abuse Now) for Child Abuse Awareness Month. Come by the gallery to design and make pinwheels! Pinwheels are used by SCAN as the symbol for child abuse and neglect prevention. Children of all ages with an adult are welcome. A free event; suggested $5 donation to cover supplies. Details: calendar.DelRayArtisans.org

Life Drawing - Open Sessions

• Wednesday, April 15 from 6:30-9:30pm (Long Poses)
• Sunday, April 19 from 9:30-11:30pm (Gesture)
• Wednesday, April 22 from 2-5pm (Short/Long Poses)
• Thursday, April 23 from 6:30-9:30pm (Long Poses)

These sessions operate on a drop-in basis so there is no need to register in advance. Bring your supplies and join us at the gallery to draw or paint our live models. The fee for each 3-hour session is $10 for DRA members and $12 for non-members. 2-hour sessions are $8 for members and $10 for non-members. If you have questions, contact Katherine Rand at LifeDrawing@DelRayArtisans.org

Spring2ACTion for Del Ray Artisans on (or before) April 22

Wednesday, April 22 is Alexandria's Giving Day. Spring2ACTion is a 24-hour giving event to benefit Alexandria nonprofits. Please show your support by making a donation to Del Ray Artisans on (or before) April 22. Your donation helps maintain and enhance our exhibits and programs, and supports long range plans to expand our instructional and non-instructional programs in the gallery and community. Every donation is appreciated! Please schedule your donation today at: spring2action.razoo.com/story/Del-Ray-Artisans

Art and Story exhibit at the Shirlington Library

Show runs through April 26. Del Ray Artisans’ Gallery Without Walls program presents artworks illustrating the power of art and story, with a portion of each sale benefiting the Friends of Shirlington Library and Del Ray Artisans. View the art at the Shirlington Library (4200 Campbell Avenue, Arlington VA) during library hours: Sunday and Tuesday 1-9 pm, Monday and Wednesday 10am-9pm, and Friday and Saturday 10am-5pm. Details: DelRayArtisans.org/GWW

Partners in Art

Monday, April 13 from 2-4pm. Looking for a chance to get together with other creative people to discuss art and exchange ideas? Then, come to a meeting of our cooperatively led Partners in Art group. This program is free of charge and open to all. Donations ($1–3) greatly appreciated. Contact Millie Mateu (milaenartes@gmail.com) or Katherine Rand (katherine@katherinerand.com) with questions.

SocialLights

Tuesday, April 21 from 7-9pm. Whether creating a collaborative piece, sharing ideas on current art events, or brainstorming for the next show, this informal program is designed to provide a positive and motivational environment for artists to network and share ideas. This event is FREE; donations appreciated. Space is limited, so please register early at: DelRayArtisans.org/SocialLights

MIX: Adventures in Mixed Media Art Exhibit Opening Reception

Friday, May 1 from 7-9pm. Del Ray Artisans and Artistic Artifacts collaborate to present this juried, multi-medium exhibit that promises to "SHAKE UP" the imagination and explore the mixed media art movement. During the opening reception, prizes will be awarded to attendees in the best "mix and do-not-match" attire. Get your plaid and stripes out of your closet and MIX it up! The show runs May 1-31. Details: DelRayArtisans.org

Secrets of the Paper Garden: Spring Bouquet Workshop

Saturday, May 2 from 2-5pm. Artist Debbie Smith Mezzetta will teach you the basics of transforming delicate Italian papers into realistic floral bouquets. No experience is necessary. The fee is $35 for Del Ray Artisans members and $45 for non-members, plus a $15 supplies fee. Class size is limited; Register now! Details: DelRayArtisans.org/Bouquet

Secrets of the Paper Garden: Paper Flower Wreath Workshop

Sunday, May 3 from 1-4pm. Artist Debbie Smith Mezzetta will teach you the basics of transforming delicate Italian papers into classic floral wreaths or delicate floral crowns, swags, or garlands. No experience is necessary. Fees: $35 Del Ray Artisans members / $45 non-members, plus a $15 supplies fee. Class size is limited; Register now! Details: DelRayArtisans.org/Wreath

"Mini-MIX-Art Make & Take" Workshop

First Thursday, May 7 from 6-9pm. Join artists from Del Ray Artisans and Artistic Artifacts for a fun, FREE, drop-in, art mak'n event for all ages at Del Ray Artisans gallery. Come by and make mini artworks with us! Details: calendar.DelRayArtisans.org

Trace Monotype Workshop

Saturday, May 16 from 10am-Noon. Artist Katherine Rand will teach you the basics of this printmaking technique that transforms line drawings into prints with unique textural effects. No experience is necessary. The fee is $35 for Del Ray Artisans members and $45 for non-members, plus a $6 supplies fee. Class size is limited, so don’t wait to register! Details: DelRayArtisans.org/Monotype

Paws 'N Claws for Art exhibit at the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter

Show runs through May 31. Del Ray Artisans and the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria present this fundraising exhibit featuring animal-themed artwork from member artists. Both nonprofit organizations receive a percentage of each sale. Also showing, but not for sale, will be UpCycle's Fur-Vor project community-based student-recycled dog art. View the art from Monday-Thursday from 12-7pm and Saturday-Sunday 12-5pm (closed Friday) at 4101 Eisenhower Ave, Alexandria VA 22304. Details: DelRayArtisans.org/GWW

“Bridging Worlds” Artist’s Talk by Lori K. Gordon

First Thursday, June 4 at 7pm. Lori K. Gordon will discuss her personal journey as an artist in the ten years since Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The past decade has been filled with exhibitions, artist's talks and workshops across the world. Most recently, she opened an art café in the fabled city of Marrakech, Morocco. Free event. Details: DeRayArtisans.org/Gordon

Building Altars Workshop

Saturday, June 27 from 9:30am-5pm. The traditional role of altars is to remind oneself of sacred ground—altars can be created around traditional religious themes or focus on personal ideas of the sacred. Instructor is world-renowned artist Lori K. Gordon. Workshop Fee: $80 Del Ray Artisans members / $95 non-members, plus a $20 supply fee. Must be at least 18 years old. Register in advance. Details: DelRayArtisans.org/Altars

Call for Artists: 2015 Spring Art Market

Application due: Friday, April 17. Join Del Ray Artisans in its tradition of outdoor art markets! This market was formerly known as the Alexandria Art Market, but has gone back to it's even earlier name of the Spring Art Market! This market gives artists an opportunity to sell their original handmade artwork to the local community. This is a RAIN or SHINE event at Nicholas A. Colasanto Park, adjoining the Del Ray Artisans gallery, on Saturday, May 9, 2015 from 10am to 4pm. Call for Artists at: DelRayArtisans.org/CFE

MIX: Adventures in Mixed Media

Receiving: Sunday, April 26 and Monday, April 27 from 6-8pm. COMBINE two or more mediums and SHAKE UP your imagination. Mixed media compositions can convey visuals that are quirky, abstract, political, environmental and social. THINK: Paint, Graphite, Textiles, Jewelry, Found Objects, Collage, Sculpture, Shadowboxes, Altered Books and beyond. Del Ray Artisans and Artistic Artifacts have teamed up to create this collaborative juried exhibit. The juror is Rosalee Lamanna. Call for Entry at: DelRayArtisans.org/CFE

Building Bridges (Del Ray Artisans members)

Receiving: Sunday, May 31 and Monday, June 1 from 6-8pm. Building Bridges is a juried show between Del Ray Artisans and Six Degrees Consortium open to Del Ray Artisans members and invited Mississippi Gulf Coast artists. Artists entering this show are asked to visually interpret the building of bridges between peoples and cultures. Artists may interpret this concept either thematically or literally in any medium. Only 2D artwork only with a maximum size of 24" x 36" will be considered. Call for Entry at: DelRayArtisans.org/CFE

Del Ray Artisans members are required to volunteer for at least 12 hours per year to support the organization and its mission. Below are some volunteer opportunities.

Time-Sensitive Requests

• Adopt-a-Park: Pick Up Litter
  Del Ray Artisans volunteers pick-up litter in Colasanto Park, which is a part of the City of Alexandria's Adopt-a-Park program. Inspections are on Mondays, so Sunday is the best pick-up day but not a hard rule. We need volunteers to sign up for weekends now through November 30th. If you are interested in assisting, contact Marlin with your preferred weekend at AdoptAPark@DelRayArtisans.org
• Student Art Exhibition: Gallery Hosts needed
  We need 'adult' volunteers to help out throughout the month of April with the T.C. Williams High School Student Exhibition. The 70+ participating students will be gallery hosting, staffing the reception, hanging, etc; so when you gallery host, you can also help mentor the student(s) you are gallery hosting with! To volunteer or request more information, please contact Stacy Rausch at HSShow@DelRayArtisans.org
• Join the 2015 Board of Directors
  We have two open Board Positions: Director of Facilities and Director of Fundraising Events. If you are interested in either position or in assisting a sitting director, contact Kim Joy at President@DelRayArtisans.org

Administration

• Seeking volunteers for office help
  The office staff needs helpers for various office tasks this spring, such as shredding, labeling, filing, stuffing, etc. None of these tasks are physically taxing and while most need to be done during the weekday when office staff is onsite, a couple tasks can be done "off-site". Contact Tracy at Gallery@DelRayArtisans.org with your availability and interests.

Communications

• Edit and/or Layout The Well-Crafted Word newsletter
  Interested in editing or laying out Del Ray Artisans monthly newsletter? To volunteer or request more details, contact Betsy at Communications@DelRayArtisans.org
• Post our Events on assigned Online Calendars
  Post approved DRA publicity materials on a specific online calendar. Each volunteer will have one or two calendars to update; instructions will be given. Must have internet access. Contact Dawn at Technology@DelRayArtisans.org

Curating & Curator Support

• Join the Curating Team!
  Volunteer to curate or assist a curator (hanging artwork, data entry / spreadsheets, distributing postcards, people skills). Experienced past curators especially needed, but all volunteers are welcome. Contact Lesley at Curating@DelRayArtisans.org
• Help Curators design their Postcard
  Postcards contain the vital show information: show title, dates, reception information, any special events and other information the curators wish to highlight. Help curators put together this file for the printer. Must have access to software capable of creating printer-ready files (e.g. Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, etc.) and be able to email documents. Helpful skills: creative design, content proofing. Contact Lesley at Curating@DelRayArtisans.org

Photography & Video

• Event Photography
  Seeking volunteers to take photos of Del Ray Artisans events for our archives and Flickr Photostream. Volunteer to photograph opening receptions, workshops, regular programs, or markets. We are hoping for around 10-20 photos from each event. Contact Sean at Archives@DelRayArtisans.org
• Photographers Needed to Document Shows
  Seeking volunteers to take photos of each piece of artwork in a show (as well as some overall gallery shots) for our archives and Flickr Photostream. Contact Sean at Archives@DelRayArtisans.org
• Seeking Videographer / Film Maker
  Seeking a volunteer to record a Del Ray Artisans workshop and edit for online viewing. Alternative option is to create an online course explaining an art or art-related activity. Contact John at VP@DelRayArtisans.org

Programs

• Help plan workshops and events for Del Ray Artisans
  We are looking for volunteers who are interested in supporting and/or helping design and schedule workshops and events at the gallery. If interested, please contact Tamara at Programs@DelRayArtisans.org

Call for Entry: Printmaking Show at ArtSpace Falls Church

Digital Submission Deadline: Monday, April 27 by midnight. All artists are invited to submit works in any printmaking discipline, such as linocut, woodcut, screen print, drypoint, etching, mono print, collograph, and serigraph. Show runs May 18 - June 21, 2015 at ArtSpace Falls Church (410 S Maple Ave, Falls Church VA 22046). Details and submission form at: FallsChurchArts.org/falls-church-arts-show-schedule

Call for Artists: Art on the Avenue on October 3

Submit Application by June 1 to be in the first round of judging. Art on the Avenue is a multicultural arts festival organized by the Del Ray Community Partnership. The show welcomes applications from all craft artists and is known for high quality artwork. All work must be original, handmade, created and exhibited by the approved artist. Standard booth rate is $195 ($180 for Del Ray Artisans members or students). The first round of judging is the first week in June. From June through the end of September any remaining spaces are filled by the judges as applications are received. For questions about the jury process or the show, email artontheavenue@gmail.com. Application at: artontheavenue.org/?page_id=20

All DRA events, unless otherwise noted, are held at the DRA gallery:

Del Ray Artisans gallery at the Nicholas A. Colasanto Center
2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22301-1124 | Directions
Phone: 703-838-4827 | DelRayArtisans.org

©2015 Arts Resource Foundation. Special thanks to the City of Alexandria, Alexandria Commission for the Arts, Virginia Commission for the Arts, and National Endowment for the Arts for their continued support of Del Ray Artisans, a 501(c)(3) organization.

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