Spring2ACTion - Early Giving Starts Has Started!

Wednesday, March 27 - Wednesday, April 10. During Spring2ACTion 2019, please help support Del Ray Artisans' programs and outreach activities which help members of our community grow as individuals and as artists. You may donate directly to Del Ray Artisans nonprofit or designate your donation for a specific cause: Inspiration Matterz, the Ted Eichers Memorial Scholarship, and Youth Summer Art Camp scholarships. Thank you for your support of Del Ray Artisans and our outreach activities! Details at spring2action.org/organizations/del-ray-artisans

We are also offering a FREE, clothed, life drawing session on April 10 from 2-5pm. Bring your supplies and come ready to sketch! Please donate to Del Ray Artisans between March 27 - April 10 to be a part of Spring2ACTion

Historical Fiction Talk: Using highlights from Icelandic History, 1918-1944 (This Weekend)

Saturday, March 30 from 2-4pm. Providing examples from her novel Sigga of Reykjavik (2019), Solveig Eggerz will discuss making characters central to a story that is historic in nature. She will illustrate how historic events impact character's lives and how characters breathe life into a historic period. The program is free. Refreshments will be served. Details at DelRayArtisans.org/event/historical-fiction-talk

For the Artist Art Exhibit (Final Weekend)

Runs through Sunday, March 31. The For The Artist exhibit features artworks that Del Ray Artisans members have always dreamed of creating. The diversity of expression and creativity in this exhibit is inspiring to artists and art appreciators alike. Two and three-dimensional works, paintings, mixed media, and photography are showcased. Details at DelRayArtisans.org/event/for-the-artist

(No) Comfort Zone Art Exhibit Opening Reception

Friday, April 5 from 7-9pm. The (No) Comfort Zone exhibit reflects people, places and things that are in and out of the artists’ comfort zone. Join us for the opening reception to meet the curators, Del Ray Artisans members, and local area high school students who have work in the exhibit. The exhibit runs April 5-28. Details at DelRayArtisans.org/event/no-comfort-zone

Call for Entry: Sacred Feminine

Digital entries due: Monday, April 8 by midnight. This exhibit seeks to explore the essence of female energy, the power of life and birth… to ideas, expressions, dreams, life and all of existence. We all have masculine and feminine energy inside of us. Tap in to your Sacred Feminine and channel the goddess in your work. The exhibit is open to all area artists. Show runs May 3 – June 2. Call for Entry at DelRayArtisans.org/2019/03/sacred-feminine-cfe

First Thursday (Next Week!)

Thursday April 4. Del Ray Artisans celebrates First Thursday, a Del Ray community event from 6-9pm along Mount Vernon Avenue from April through September. April's theme is Hats Along The Avenue. The gallery is open until 9pm on First Thursday. Come get a sneak peek of the next exhibit! Details at DelRayArtisans.org/event/first-thursday-2019

Life Drawing - Open Sessions

• Sunday, April 7 from 9:30-11:30am (Gesture, Clothed Model)
• Wednesday, April 10 from 2-5pm (Short/Long Pose)
• Wednesday, April 10 from 6:30-9:30pm (Long Pose)
• Wednesday, April 24 from 2-5pm (Short/Long Pose)
• Wednesday, April 24 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. All future dates and sessions types can be found in this calendar view.

Partners in Art

• Monday, April 8 from 2-4pm
• Tuesday, April 23 from 7-9pm
• Monday, May 6 from 2-4pm

Need support reaching your art related goals? Join this collegial group of artists to share your goals and get feedback on artwork. All local artists, from beginners to professionals, and all skill levels are invited. Meetings include discussions on exhibit opportunities, the creative process and the local art scene. Participants may also bring in 1-3 artworks, in any medium, in any stage, to discuss goals, process, and ask for advice. Free, donations ($1-3) greatly appreciated. More information and future dates can be found in this calendar view.

Urban Sketchbooking

Sunday, April 14 from 2-4pm. Urban Sketchbooking emphasizes storytelling that conveys a sense of place or a moment in time through drawings completed from direct observations. Drop-in meetings, during the afternoons of the second Sunday of each month. No need to register in advance. Bring your supplies and join us to produce still life, figure, or architecture subjects in your sketchbook. The fee for each 2-hour session is $8 for members and $10 for non-members. The meetup location TBD. Details at DelRayArtisans.org/event/urban-sketchbooking-6

Call for Artists: Del Ray Artisans' Spring Art Market

Applications due Sunday, April 14. Join Del Ray Artisans in its tradition of outdoor art markets! The Spring Art Market gives artists an opportunity to sell their original handmade artwork to the local community. This is an outdoor, family-friendly, rain-or-shine event at Nicholas A. Colasanto Park, adjoining Del Ray Artisans gallery, on Saturday, May 11 from 10am to 4pm. Application form at DelRayArtisans.org/2019/03/spring-art-market-cfe

Del Ray Artisans’ Spirit Night at McDonald’s

Thursday, April 25 from 4pm-7pm. McDonald’s is generously donating a percentage of sales between 4-7pm to our nonprofit art organization. During this event, you’ll also have the opportunity to see and purchase artwork from Del Ray Artisans at McDonald’s (1000 N Henry Street, Alexandria VA 22314)! For event questions or to volunteer, email Mila Mateu at Volunteers@DelRayArtisans.org

Call for Instructors: Creative Summer Programs

First deadline for proposals: Tuesday, April 30. Seeking instructors for creative classes & workshops at Del Ray Artisans during the summer months (June, July, and August 2019). Demonstrations, speaking engagements, free and fee-based programs, hands-on art classes, and more are all welcome! Tailor your program for the experienced artist or the beginner—for adults, children, families, seniors, or all age groups. We are filling the gallery with awesome, artful programs all summer long. Proposal form at DelRayArtisans.org/2019/03/summer-programs-cfe

Youth Art Camp – Registration is now Open!

Early bird discount until June 1. Del Ray Artisans invites young campers to spend a week creating art with professional artist instruction. All artist supplies are provided. Register for either Week One (July 15-19) or Week Two (July 22-26). Camp is from 9am-3pm daily, with an exhibit of the artwork on the Saturday after camp from 1-3pm. Cost is $300/child until June 1; $325/child after June 1. Scholarship support may be available. Details: DelRayArtisans.org/event/art-camp-2019

Re-Connecting Threads at VCA Alexandria

Runs through Sunday, June 2. The Re-Connecting Threads art exhibit takes another look at artists’ traditional and non-traditional ways to manipulate fiber in art by revisiting the November 2018 Connecting Threads Del Ray Artisans gallery exhibit. Re-Connecting Threads features Del Ray Artisans members’ artwork through a Gallery Without Walls (GWW) program in partnership with the Veterinary Clinics of America Alexandria Animal Hospital (VCA Alexandria). The exhibit is at VCA Alexandria Animal Hospital, 2660 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. Details at DelRayArtisans.org/2019/01/re-connecting-threads/

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

Visit our website for more information about volunteering and to report your hours. If you have questions, email the Director of Volunteers at Volunteers@DelRayArtisans.org. Below are current volunteer opportunities.

Time-Sensitive Requests

• Web Posting Volunteer Needed
  The web posting team needs you! We're looking for a volunteer to post exhibit and event information to Eventful. Web posting can be done from home at your convenience. It doesn't take a lot of time and is an easy way to earn volunteer hours. If interested, please contact Kate at post@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 Monica at GWW@DelRayArtisans.org and Brittany 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 Brittany at Curating@DelRayArtisans.org

Photography

• 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 David at Archives@DelRayArtisans.org
• Artwork Photographers
  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 David at Archives@DelRayArtisans.org
• Flickr Contributor
  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 David at Archives@DelRayArtisans.org and Dawn at WebCurator@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 Stacy at Programs@DelRayArtisans.org

Call for Artists: Art on the Avenue 2019

Deadline: April 1 for early application. Art on the Avenue is a multi-cultural arts festival celebrating our community’s diversity through the arts in the Del Ray neighborhood in Alexandria, Virginia. This festival will be held rain or shine on October 5, 2019. Early application to Art on the Avenue is due April 1, 2019. The fee for show participation is $200 if you apply by April 1st and $225 after April 1st. More information

Call for Entry: Habitats

Deadline: Sunday, April 28. Target Gallery invites artists working in all visual media to submit to Habitats. In this group exhibition, Habitats will explore the relationship between humans and nature creating a dialogue on the impact that we make on the earth and our environments. Juror: Ellyn Weiss, DC- based artist and curator. Exhibition Dates: August 9 - September 22.  More information

Call for Artists: Bella Strada Chalk Festival

Saturday, May 11 from 10am-3pm. The Del Ray Montessori School in Alexandria is hosting fourth annual La Bella Strada, an Italian Street Chalk Festival along Del Ray's Mt. Vernon Avenue. It will take place on May 11, 2019 from 10am-3pm and will featuring local artists who create large square masterpieces along the avenue. Interested artists should include contact information, and a sample of chalk artwork and email bellastrada@thedelraymontessorischool.com. More information.

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

©2019 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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