Call for Entry: Simply Abstract

Digital entries due: Friday, December 23 (TODAY) by 11:59pm. Toss your colors and media in the air and let them fall where they may! Release your inner energy to create and share your abstract art! Abstract art continues to evolve and comes in many different flavors. Compositions use a visual language of shape, form, color, and line. Some have no representational content whatsoever, while others keep one foot in reality, or somewhere in between. All local area artists are invited to visually explore abstract art through any 2D and 3D medium for this juried exhibit. Call for Entry at DelRayArtisans.org/category/cfe

Gallery Painting and Maintenance Day

Our grand venue is in dire need of some tough love and tender care. Hunting for 5-10 people to assist with beautification long overdue. Sign up for one or more of the shifts:

• Wednesday 12/28 from 6-8:30pm (prep day) - Tasks include: sanding, plastering, mask taping and all around un-masking the gallery in order to make her ready for the following days paint party.
• Thursday 12/29 from 11am-1:30pm or 1-3pm (paint party) - Today is an all day painting extravaganza where our wonderful volunteers will put the layers on the walls, trimmings, and any final bells and whistles.

Gallery Closed for the Holidays

The gallery will be closed December 19 through January 1. Artwork entries for Simply Abstract are due December 23 through the online entry form. Artwork drop off for accepted entries is on January 1 and 2 from 6-8pm. Regular gallery hours resume on Thursday, January 5; and the next opening reception is on Friday, January 6 from 7-9pm. Happy Holidays!

Simply Abstract Opening Reception

Friday, January 6 from 7-9pm. Simply Abstract art exhibit at Del Ray Artisans gallery features local area artists’ expressions of abstract art using shape, form, color, and line in 2 and 3 dimensional work. Artists tossed their colors and media in the air to release their inner energy in this exciting display of artwork. Exhibit runs January 6-29. DelRayArtisans.org/exhibits

Pollock Movie Night

Saturday, January 14 from 7-9pm. Join us for movie night at Del Ray Artisans featuring the movie Pollock, and learn about the life and work of 20th century artist Jackson Pollock. More information at DelRayArtisans.org/event/pollock-movie

Artful 2017 Wall Calendar

The 2017 wall calendar features 49 pieces of art by Del Ray Artisans members. Just $18/calendar for a year’s worth of enjoyment! Pre-populated events include Del Ray Artisans' programs, community events (from Del Ray Business Association, Del Ray Citizens Association, and Del Ray Artisans), national holidays, and major Christian, Jewish, and Muslim religious holidays. Contact WebCurator@DelRayArtisans.org if you wish to purchase a calendar before regular gallery hours resume on January 5.

Unique Upcycled Tote Bags and Wristlets

Now available: Del Ray Artisans' Upcycled Tote Bags and Wristlets! These sturdy, one-of-a-kind accessories are made from our art exhibit banners. Tote bags (15"h x 16"w x 5"d) are $40 each and wristlets (6"h x 9.5"w) are $30. All proceeds from this fundraiser benefit Del Ray Artisans. Contact WebCurator@DelRayArtisans.org if you wish to purchase a bag before regular gallery hours resume on January 5.

Del Ray Artisans is turning 25 in 2017!

Planning is underway for celebrations all year long. The 25th Anniversary Committee is seeking ideas for events and volunteers to help plan and execute them. Send your name and willingness to help to Linda at 25years@DelRayArtisans.org

Life Drawing - Open Sessions

• Sunday, January 8 from 9:30-11:30am (Gesture)
• Wednesday, January 11 from 2-5pm (Short/Long Pose)
• Wednesday, January 11 from 6:30-9:30pm (Long Pose)
• Wednesday, January 25 from 2-5pm (Short/Long Pose)
• Wednesday, January 25 from 6:30-9:30pm (Long Pose)

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

Partners in Art

Monday, January 9 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

Call for Entry: Lovers

Digital entries due: Friday, January 20 by midnight. Open to Del Ray Artisans members only. Broken hearts, far apart, still together, despite the weather. Submit your interpretations of affectionate pairings of diverse types. Lovers will celebrate the spirit of Valentines Day throughout the month of February. DRA Fundraiser: Interested artists are asked to contribute handmade cards to be available for sale during this exhibit. Artists can pick up blank cards at the gallery during January and drop them off at DRA as they are completed. Call for Entry at DelRayArtisans.org/category/cfe

Hands on: Collaborate Abstractly workshop

Saturday, January 28 from 2-3:30pm. Register now for Del Ray Artisans’ abstract art workshop, Hands on: Collaborate Abstractly. Students partner up to create unique abstract art. Come discover the diversity of abstract art! Register at DelRayArtisans.org/event/hands-on

Local Flavor Revisited Art Exhibit

Runs through January 29. Del Ray Artisans' Gallery Without Walls and VCA Alexandria Animal Hospital present Local Flavor Revisited, showcasing member artwork that highlight the things they adore, crave, and experience in their beloved neck of the woods. The artwork is displayed in the waiting areas and examination rooms of VCA Alexandria Animal Hospital (2660 Duke Street, Alexandria VA). Details: DelRayArtisans.org/exhibits

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. If you have questions, please email Josh Oliveira, Director of Volunteers, at Volunteers@DelRayArtisans.org.

Time-Sensitive Requests

• Seeking Volunteers for Outreach Director and Programs Co-Director
  The Outreach Director position on the Board of Directors is currently vacant, and the Programs Director is seeking someone to share her role in 2017. These are rewarding ways to meet your volunteer commitment. Interested members should contact Kim Joy at President@DelRayArtisans.org

Curating & Curator Support

• Curate/Coordinate an Exhibit outside the Gallery
  Del Ray Artisans’ Gallery Without Walls program is seeking volunteers to coordinate exhibits with specific venues. The program is flexible to incorporate your ideas and value your time. Contact Eileen at GWW@DelRayArtisans.org and Kathy at Curating@DelRayArtisans.org
• 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 Kathy 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 and content proofing. Contact Kathy 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
• Photograph Processing
  Seeking volunteers to process photos for our Flickr Photostream. Task involves cropping, downsizing, color correcting (if needed), and adding meta data (e.g. artist name, title, media, price, show). Must have Photoshop or comparable application. 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 Michele at Programs@DelRayArtisans.org

Call for Poems: Moving Words 2017

Deadline: January 12. The annual poetry contest Moving Words is now open for submissions. The work of six winning poets will be printed on colorful placards and displayed prominently inside area buses, enlivening the ride for thousands of commuters. This year’s Moving Words competition is juried by Arlington County’s Poet Laureate Katherine E. Young. Winning poets will receive a $250 honorarium and will be invited to give a public reading of their work in April 2017 during National Poetry Month. Details: arlingtonarts.org/cultural-affairs/moving-words/moving-words-poetry-competition.aspx

Call for Entry: 4th Annual Postcard Art Show

Deadline: Tuesday, January 23. Artists for Africa invites artists to donate up to 4 postcard-size (4 x 6") works of art to the 4th Annual Postcard Art Show that will take place at the Embassy Suites in Columbia, SC on February 15, 2017. Artists & collectors will be supporting a non-profit organization dedicated to providing the arts to children in deprived areas of Africa. Details at artistsforafricausa.org. For submissions, contact Brie Russell: brie.russell@russellaw.us

2017 Art Works for Virginia Conference: A New Virginia Renaissance - How Creativity Will Define Our Commonwealth

The Virginia Commission for the Arts is hosting a one-day conference for artists, board and staff members of arts organizations, community and cultural leaders, arts educators, artisans, and arts advocates from every corner of the Commonwealth on Wednesday, January 25 from 9:30am to 5pm at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond, Virginia. Registration: eventbrite.com/e/2017-art-works-for-virginia-conference-tickets-28676393866

Fifth Annual Art Speaks on the Bay May 6-June 3, 2017

Deadline: March 16. This show, sponsored by The Bay School Community Arts Center in Mathews, VA, is for Virginia residents 18 years and older. This year's theme is "Explore the Art of Virginia". Artists may submit up to three entries in any media. Cash prizes will be awarded. For more information call the Bay School at 804-725-1278 or visit the website at bayschool-arts.com/artspeaks

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
Phone: 703-838-4827 | DelRayArtisans.org

©2016 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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