Del Ray Artisans’ Spirit Night at McDonald’s (Next week!)

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

Alexandria Love Your Pet Day Block Party

Sunday, April 28 from 11am-3pm. Join the block party with our Gallery Without Walls partner: VCA Alexandria Animal Hospital! Del Ray Artisans is excited to participate in this fun community event that features food trucks, demos, kids' entertainment, vendors and more – fun for the whole family, leashed pets welcomed! Look for Del Ray Artisans' members in the artist demonstration tent. The block party will be at Roth and Colvin Streets, Alexandria VA 22314. For more details, visit DelRayArtisans.org/event/love-your-pet

(No) Comfort Zone Art Exhibit

Runs through Sunday, April 28. The (No) Comfort Zone exhibit reflects people, places and things that are in and out of the artists' comfort zone. The artwork in the exhibit is by Del Ray Artisans members and local area high school students. Details at DelRayArtisans.org/event/no-comfort-zone

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

2019 Membership Drive

Now through May 31. Del Ray Artisans is hosting a special, invitational exhibit in August titled Fresh Meat. Each new member (joining between January 2018 and May 2019) is invited to enter three pieces of artwork for FREE. During our Membership Drive from February–May 2019, any current member who recruits a new member is also invited to enter one piece of artwork in this exhibit for FREE. Bring guests, family, friends, and neighbors to visit the gallery, attend opening receptions, or sign up for a workshop to become more familiar with our nonprofit arts organization. Information on benefits and joining is at DelRayArtisans.org/membership/

Summer Youth Art Camp – Registration is now Open!

Early bird discount now 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

Partners in Art

• 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.

Life Drawing - Open Sessions

• Wednesday, April 24 from 2-5pm (Short/Long Pose)
• Wednesday, April 24 from 6:30-9:30pm (Long Pose)
• Sunday, May 5, from 9:30-11:30am (Gesture, clothed model)
• Wednesday, May 8 from 2-5pm (Short/Long Pose)
• Wednesday, May 8 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.

First Thursday

Thursday May 2. Del Ray Artisans celebrates First Thursday, a Del Ray community event from 6-9pm along Mount Vernon Avenue from April through September. May's theme is Dog Days of Del Ray. 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

Sacred Feminine Art Exhibit Opening Reception

Friday, May 3 from 7-9pm. This exhibit explores female energy, the power of life and birth; it connects that energy to ideas, expressions, dreams, life and all of existence. Tap in to your Sacred Feminine and channel the goddess. The exhibit runs May 3-June 2, 2019. Details at DelRayArtisans.org/event/sacred-feminine

Urban Sketchbooking

Sunday, May 5 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 is Nectar Cafe. Details at DelRayArtisans.org/event/urban-sketchbooking-7

Sacred Feminine Workshops

Tap in to your Sacred Feminine with these special workshops. Register in advance at DelRayArtisans.org/workshops or at the gallery.

• Intro to Honoring the Sacred Feminine in this Busy World on Thursday, May 9 from 7-8:30pm. Create daily rituals to connect and tap your sacred power with instructor Adriana Correa.
• Basic Salsa Techniques on Saturday, May 11 from 1-2pm. Get ready to learn Salsa! Bebe Uy and her students will give a short demonstration, then strut your stuff while learning basic salsa dancing technique, combinations, body movement, musicality and dance partner exercises.
• Goddess-Wear – Creating Leather Jewelry on Tuesday, May 14 from 6-9pm. Learn leather working techniques while getting in touch with the Divine Feminine with instructor Lynn Fernandez.
• The Fire Starter on Saturday, May 18 from 10am-12pm. Cut through dull thinking and fear, and get straight to YOUR core desires, pragmatism, and courage with certified coach Liz Strom.
• Playing with Resin – Curves and Edges Edition on Sunday, May 19 from 6-9pm. Play with resin in a safe environment to learn the ins & outs of mixing resin and using it in your artwork with instructor Tracy Wilkerson.
• Exploring and Making Bangles on Wednesday, May 29 from 6-8pm. Learn beginner wire jewelry making techniques while creating basic bangle bracelets with instructor Tamara Wilkerson.
• Exploring Flamenco & Odissi on Saturday, June 1 from 10am-Noon. Explore the beauty and nuance of Odissi (Classical Indian Dance) & Flamenco, highlighting the feminine strength and beauty in each style with instructors Marsha Bonet and Tapasi Panigrahi.

Spring Art Market

Saturday, May 11 from 10am to 4pm. Del Ray Artisans’ Spring Art Market is an annual, outdoor, family-friendly event featuring original work by local artists and artisans in a variety of mediums. Come and join us, rain or shine in Colasanto Park, adjacent to Del Ray Artisans gallery at 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria. Perfect gifts for your home, Mother’s Day, or other occasions! Details at DelRayArtisans.org/event/spring-art-market-2019

Call for Entry: Art in Meditation - The Chakras

Digital entries due: Sunday, May 12 by midnight. This exhibit will celebrate the seven energy centers of the body, or chakras, and the associated meanings, moods, and colors. The curators are seeking artwork interpretations of the chakra energies. The exhibit will be juried by contemporary artist Jeff Erickson. The exhibit is open to all area artists. Show runs June 6-30. Call for Entry at DelRayArtisans.org/2019/04/chakras-cfe

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/

Call for Entry: Fresh Meat

Digital entries due: Monday, June 17 by midnight. Each new Del Ray Artisans member who joined between January 2018 and May 2019 is invited to enter 3 pieces of artwork for FREE! Plus any current member who recruits a new member between February and May 2019 is invited to enter 1 piece of artwork for FREE. Fresh Meat does not have a theme and is the perfect opportunity to showcase any and all styles/mediums of your artwork. If you are not a member, you may join Del Ray Artisans now to enter. Show runs August 2 – September 1. Call for Entry at DelRayArtisans.org/2019/04/fresh-meat-cfe

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

• Support Del Ray Artisans’ Spirit Night at McDonald’s
  Seeking volunteers for April 25 and May 16 from 4-7pm at McDonald's (1000 N Henry Street, Alexandria VA 22314). Volunteers will greet customers, hand out food at the take-out window and behind the counter, and (most importantly) talk with the customers about the art on display, Del Ray Artisans organization and gallery. To volunteer (including showing some of your artwork), email Mila Mateu at Volunteers@DelRayArtisans.org and include your name, email, best phone number, and preferred date.
• Help during Alexandria Love Your Pet Day Block Party
  Del Ray Artisans member artists who have pet-themed artwork that they would like to display and sell and/or do live pet portraits/demos, we need you on April 28 from 11am-3pm! This is a great opportunity to exhibit your work to an audience that loves pets. Artists are asked to donate 10% of the purchase price of sold pieces to Del Ray Artisans. We also need help setting up the tent and display at 10am and taking it down at 3pm. If you are interested, contact Monica Hokeilen at GWW@DelRayArtisans.org
• Web Posting Volunteer Needed
  The web posting team needs you! We're looking for a volunteer to post exhibit and event information to WeGoPlaces.com. 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, 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

Open until all spaces are filled. 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. The fee for show participation is $225 after April 1st. More information

Call for Artists: Pat Miller Neighborhood Square Public Art Project

Applications due Sunday, April 21 by 11:59pm. The City of Alexandria, Virginia invites artists and artist teams residing in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia to submit qualifications to be considered for a public art project that celebrates Pat Miller Neighborhood Square. The artwork will be expressed as signage that celebrates the surrounding Del Ray neighborhood. One artist or team will be selected to design, fabricate, and install a vertical sign for Pat Miller Neighborhood Square in Del Ray. The words “Del Ray” must be on at least two of its sides. Artwork/sign should reinforce the Art Deco character of Mount Vernon Avenue. Details at https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=5966

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 Entry: National Juried Fiber Arts Exhibition

Deadline: Wednesday, May 1. Bower Center for the Arts in Bedford, VA seeks entries for a juried fiber arts exhibition (July 9 – August 17, 2019). Awards: $500 1st Place, $300 2nd Place, $150 3rd Place, and (min of 3) $75 Award of Merit. Juror: Jill Jensen. Work for this exhibition is limited to fiber art. Natural or synthetic fibrous materials employed in a variety of methods. Techniques may include, but not limited to: quilting, knitting, knotting, embroidery, thread painting, collage, weaving, spinning, crocheting, macrame, and incorporating paper into designs. Work may be fine art, wearable, decorative, or utilitarian. Maximum dimension: 48" in any direction – may be 3-D. Pedestals are available. $30 for up to 3 works. For details, visit the Bower Center website

Call for Artists: Charity Art Gala for MK9s Service Dogs

Deadline: Friday, May 3. Vision Idea Design is inviting artwork submissions for its Charity Art Gala for MK9s Service Dogs. The event will be held on May 22, 2019 at the Fairfax American Legion. All submissions will be reviewed and selected artists will be invited to participate with 1-5 artworks. Proceeds from the sale are split with the artist and the charity, with the artist deciding on the percentage donated. There is no fee to submit. 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.

Call for Artists: VisArts: Frame & Frequency V

Deadline: Friday, June 7. Frame & Frequency is an ongoing International Video Art Screening Series presented by VisArts in Rockville, MD, that highlights artists whose new media, experimental film, and video works explore contemporary visual culture, and presents an intimate panorama of the variety of video art. Video, sound art, film, and new media work will be accepted: experimental, documentary, animation, narrative, non-narrative, multimedia, virtual reality, augmented reality, net art, interactive media, etc. All foreign language moving image artworks must have English subtitles. $5 application fee. 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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