Lovers Art Exhibit Opening Reception (Tonight)

Friday, February 3 from 7-9pm. Lovers art exhibit at Del Ray Artisans gallery features members’ 2 and 3 dimensional artwork that expresses broken hearts, far apart, still together, despite the weather. This exhibit celebrates the spirit of Valentine's Day throughout the month of February. Exhibit runs February 3-26. DelRayArtisans.org

Annual Art Swap and Member Meeting

Sunday, February 12 from 4-6pm. Treasure or Trash? Dig out those unused art supplies and bring them to the Annual Art [Supplies] Swap! In exchange for contributing an artsy item, you will get to take some treasures home. It's a fun event and one of DRA's most popular. Light refreshments will be served. Details at DelRayArtisans.org/event/member-meeting-art-supplies-swap

Sweet Treats & Poetry Event

Tuesday, February 14 from 6-8pm. Celebrate Valentine's Day with poetry readings! Come to this special event on your own, with friends, or with your Valentine. The evening will feature sweet desserts and poetry. You're invited to read a poem, either one you wrote or a favorite by another author, or just come to enjoy the readings by others. Details: DelRayArtisans.org/event/sweet-treats-poetry/

Become a Silver Star

For each donation of $25, you can become a Silver Star! Stars purchased before March 10 will be hung in the gallery with your name on them during the Silver Anniversary Reception on March 19. All proceeds support our nonprofit arts organization, Del Ray Artisans. Silver stars are now available for purchase online or in the gallery. Details at DelRayArtisans.org/silver-star

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 religious holidays. Purchase at the gallery Thursdays and Sundays 12-6pm, Fridays and Saturdays 12-9pm.

Del Ray Artisans turns 25 in 2017!

2017 is the year of Del Ray Artisans 25th Anniversary! Begin preparing for the celebration with our new 25th Anniversary T-shirts. T-shirts sizes small through XL ($25 each) and XXL ($27 each) are available at the gallery. If you are interested in helping at some of the events during the year, please contact committee chair Linda Elliff at 25years@DelRayArtisans.org

Life Drawing - Open Sessions

• Sunday, February 5 from 9:30-11:30am (Gesture)
• Wednesday, February 8 from 6:30-9:30pm (Long Pose)
• Wednesday, February 22 from 2-5pm (Short/Long Pose)
• Wednesday, February 22 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, February 6 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 Katherine Rand (katherine@katherinerand.com) or Suzanne Tillman (zannet@verizon.net) with questions.

Call for Entry: Through the Looking Glass

Digital entries due: Monday, February 20 by midnight. Through The Looking Glass is to be an ode to the childhood cult classic with a personal twist. Bring us your personal story of tumbling down the rabbit hole and the journey traveled. Have you ever captured on canvas, a strange dream in which an orange queen ordered everyone’s heads to be chopped off? Summon forth your most elegant and colorful Jabberwockies, chess pieces fighting to the death, and wild toothy grins. Open to all area artists. Call for Entry at DelRayArtisans.org/cfe

Waterworks Revisited Art Exhibit at Ease Yoga

Runs through February 28. Del Ray Artisans' Gallery Without Walls program has expanded to include a new exhibit at Ease Yoga and Cafe (3051 Mount Vernon Avenue), which is just a short walk from the DRA gallery. Running through the end of February, come see Waterworks Revisited featuring selected pieces from the H20/Waterworks exhibit. Details at 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

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

Call for Artists: Dimensional Expressions, 3D Show

Deadline: February 28 by 4pm. The Artful Dimensions Gallery in Fredericksburg, VA has a call for art for the National Juried Show, Dimensional Expressions 2017. The show will be held from April 4-30, 2017. All 3D media are eligible, but size restrictions apply. See the call for artists for details: www.artfuldimensionsgallery.com

Call for Artists: Art on the Avenue 2017

Submit application by April 1 for the reduced booth fee. 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 $175 if postmarked by April 1. The event is Saturday, October 7 from 10am-6pm. Details: ArtontheAvenue.org

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

©2017 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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