Baby, It's Cold Outside Artwork Drop-off: January 2-3

Calling all Del Ray Artisans... An art show to celebrate and remember all things good and bad about winter. After last year's endless snowy season, remembering might be the last thing on your mind, but pull out your "once in a lifetime" Snowmageddon photos or work inspired by the power of the storms. Recall fond memories of warm and cozy fires or other winter's delights. Whatever your choice, show off your best works and help us "Sock it to Winter" by donating a pair of new men's or women's socks to the Carpenter's Shelter with each work of art that you enter. The homeless are at great risk to the elements and you can help keep them warm and dry this winter. For more info: calendar.DelRayArtisans.org/view_entry.php?id=749&date=20110102

Baby, It's Cold Outside Show Opens: Friday, January 7

Del Ray Artisans will be celebrating winter and helping the homeless during their January show, Baby, It's Cold Outside, running January 7-30, 2011. The darkest days of January will be highlighted by an all member show of mixed-media art. The show will also feature a drive to collect new socks for the homeless of Alexandria. Donated socks will benefit the Carpenter's Shelter.

Opening Reception: Friday, January 7 from 7 pm to 10 pm. Meet the artists while you snack on light appetizers. Members of the public attending the opening are encouraged to bring new socks to donate during the reception.

Sock Hop: Saturday, January 15 from 7 pm to 10pm. The entry fee is one pair of new socks for each person admitted. Enjoy Rat Pack music and dance the night away.

Members of the public that wish to visit the show and donate additional socks may do so during regular gallery hours. For gallery hours and more information, visit: DelRayArtisans.org or contact Constance Springer Zabowski & Celeste Zabowski at 703-407-6992 or cspringer43@gmail.com.

Beginning Calligraphy Workshop, Saturday, January 8 (1-4 pm)

Registration Deadline: January 4. In conjunction with the February show, Love Letters, Del Ray Artisans invites you to learn basic calligraphy strokes and lettering with instructor, Jenny Nicholson, a calligrapher since 1988. She is a member of the Washington Calligraphy Guild and for the past 12 years has been employed by the Office of the Chief of Protocol at the Department of State as a Calligrapher and a Protocol Officer, creating invitations and designs for the Secretary of State's official functions. Workshop fee is $20 members, $25 non-members, and includes a calligraphy marker (yours to keep!). For more information, contact curators Matthew Tito Cuenca (571-213-9177, matthewcuenca@hotmail.com) or Tracy Wilkerson (703-501-1736, tlwideas@comcast.net). This is a popular workshop, so register early at: calendar.DelRayArtisans.org/view_entry.php?id=801&date=20110108

Free Gesture Drawing Session: Sunday, January 9 (9:30 am-12:30 pm)

Learn how to capture the figure quickly and take advantage of dynamic short poses. Guest instructor Robin Croft will share an unusual exercise to encourage a fresh approach to seeing your subject. Bring a LARGE paper or newsprint pad and the following: red/black Conte, stick charcoal, woodless pencils, chalk pastel, brush and India ink.Session is free, but please RSVP to Katherine Rand at 703.836.1468 or DRA.LifeDrawing@gmail.com.

Card Making Party: Sunday, January 16 (Noon-4 pm)

Back By Popular Demand! Theresa Kulstad and Karen Schmitz are ready to squish up your creative juices again with a card making party! Join us Sunday, January 16th from noon-4 pm at the Del Ray Artisans gallery to create one-of-a-kind, hand crafted greeting cards. Bring your imagination and any paper craft supply (glue stick & scissors) you may have on hand and any images, decorative papers, stamps, stencils and embellishments you may like to share. The timing is great for you to get Valentine's Day cards ready for February's "Love Letters" show. This event is open to all over 12 years old and donations for time and supplies are appreciated. Donated cards will be sold at the gallery to benefit Del Ray Artisans. For more information, visit DelRayArtisans.org or contact Theresa at tkulstad@verizon.net.

Love Letters Call for Entry: Sunday, January 30 - Monday, January 31

Whether you have it, lost it, want it, avoid it, need it or ignore it; love makes us do crazy things. Love Letters will exhibit a unique juried collection of love-inspired artworks paired with the artist's love letter to the object of their affection. Drop-off Dates: Sunday, 1/30/2011 7pm-9pm; Monday, 1/31/2011 6pm-9pm. Show is open to both members and non-members Entry Fees: $5 per piece up to 3 pieces for members, $10 per piece for up to 3 pieces for non-members. All media accepted. Artists may submit up to 3 pieces of artwork. For more information, contact Matthew Tito Cuenca at matthewcuenca@gmail.com or Tracy Wilkerson at tlwideas@comcast.net.

Beyond Form: Expressing Art Call for Entry: February 27-28

Fareeha Khawaja and Betty Plummer will curate DRA's multimedia all-member abstract art show in March—Beyond Form: Expressing Art, spotlighting painting. We seek the spiritual essence of things, the energy of color and line, the artist's feelings, emotions, inspiration. As an added exhibit opportunity under our Gallery Without Walls program, DRA artists may submit selected abstract artworks from Beyond Form for a juried exhibit at the Signature Theatre, for 8 weeks during the run of ART. DRA hopes this inspires you to start painting NOW! For more info, contact Betty Plummer at 703-892-8638 or DRA.newsletter@gmail.com.

"Sock it to Winter" Sock Hop Host Needed

[DRA members only] Looking for a volunteer to act as the host with the most for the "Sock it to Winter" sock hop on Saturday, January 15, 2011. We are also seeking community outreach volunteers to help collect socks, socks and more socks! For details and to sign up, contact curator Constance Springer Zabowski at cspringer43@gmail.com.

Youth Art Symposium Seeking Activities Coordinator

If you're a person interested and willing to facilitate activities for youths in the areas of arts & crafts, drawing, painting, basics of drama, theatre, dance (including hip-hop, jazz, etc.), or poetry/spoken word, the Northern Virginia Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., wants you! Event date: Saturday, January 22, 2011, 2:30pm at the Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. For details contact: Celena Noel 225-773-0789 or celenanoel@gmail.com.

Have content for The Well Crafted Word?

[DRA members only] Submit all your articles, notices, images, etc. for the Del Ray Artisans newsletter by the 10th of the month for the next issue. Submit your content to the editor, Betty Plummer, at DRA.newsletter@gmail.com.

Arts Advocacy Update

Virginia Arts Advocates need your help! The organization is proposing a plan to legislators to achieve its Dollar-per-Capita goal for arts grant funding over the next three fiscal years. Virginia's ranking is currently #35 among states for funding of its arts agency (43 cents per capita). Virginians for the Arts (VFTA) understands that recovery from the present fiscal crisis won't occur overnight. Nevertheless, in the face of the unprecedented fiscal pressures faced by arts organizations, they believe it is imperative that the Commonwealth adopt an orderly plan for restoration of the $3.1 million cut since 2009.

What Can You Do?
Call and make an appointment with your legislator to discuss the difference the arts are making in your community, invite him or her to an arts event, or go out for a meal or coffee to thank him/her for past support. To join a meeting with other local advocates organized by VFTA, email Trish Poupore at VaforArts@aol.com, or to meet with constituents, visit: capwiz.com/artsusa/va/directory/statedior.tt?state=VA&lvl=state

"Got Art?" Individual Artists Opportunities - VA

Sculptors and 3-D artists sought for immediate and future exhibitions in Foyer of the Charles Beatley Library. No entry fees required. For information contact Gwen Lockhart: glxpres@comcast.net

Falls Church Arts (FCA) Holiday Market - VA

Saturdays, November 20 through December 18. Calling member artists to exhibit and sell their holiday season "giftable goods" at the Falls Church Farmers' Market--recently named #1 in the country. Sign up to market your note cards, jewelry, fabric arts, paintings, and other works at the FCA-sponsored spaces outside City Hall, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, VA. This show is open to current Falls Church Arts members. To join or renew your membership visit: fallschurcharts.org/pdf/FCAmemberform.pdf. To sign up, email FCA at: info@fallschurcharts.org. Indicate preferred exhibit dates and type of work to be sold.

FCA 2011 Call for Artists: Passport to the World - VA

Entry Form Deadline: December 17, 2010 at 5pm. Falls Church Arts (FCA) All-Member Show kickoff event for a "Passport to the World" includes music, dance, storytelling, and art festival at ArtSpace. The show will hang for the duration of the festival. Bring your best work, on subject matter of your choosing, but especially works that reflect your travels (here or abroad, imagined or real), or the influences other cultures have had on your work. Entry is open to 2011 Falls Church Arts members. Gala Opening Reception: Friday, January 14, 2011, 7-9 pm. Show Continues through Sunday, March 6, 2011. For membership info and application visit: www.fallschurcharts.org.

T.C. Williams Craft Fair - VA

Saturday, December 18, 2010: T.C. Williams High School's Advanced Engineering Department is holding a Craft Fair from 10 am - 4 pm. Come shop crafts from 30 vendors and enjoy the bake sales, raffles, and other fun events. The proceeds will benefit Joining Hearts and Hands, an organization promoting economic, health, and educational improvements in Kenya and Tanzania. The fair is located at T.C. Williams, 3330 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22302. For more info contact: Jennifer Moshier at jennifer.moshier@acps.k12.va.us.

POPArt Group's "Christ Calls Us To Creativity" - VA

Entry Fee and Form Deadline: January 7, 2011. Show them... I will show you my faith by what I do. Call for artists working in all media and living in Virginia, D.C, and Maryland. Entries must be original artwork, no reproductions. Photography, printmaking, and digital art must be limited numbered editions. Artwork must be consistent to the show theme. There is a $25 nonrefundable entry fee. Each applicant may submit up to three works. Submission of CD, fee, and entry form postmarked by January 7, 2011. Notification of Judging results, January 28th. Accepted works delivered February 9th from 12pm - 2pm, or 7pm - 8pm. Reception held on February 13th from 12:30-3:00pm. Show dates February 13, 2011 - March 13, 2011. Show and Tell Gallery is located at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 8304 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, VA 22152. For more info contact: Kathleen Gillmann at 703-644-6512 or Melinda Reidy 703-599-6216 (POPArtGroup@poplc.org).

2011 Artistic Rain Barrel Program! - VA

Application Submission Deadline: January 14. The Northern Virginia Rain Barrel Program partners invite you to submit a design and application to have your artwork featured in the 2011 Artistic Rain Barrel Program. Each selected artist will turn a rain barrel into a work of art as part of a fun way to educate the community on the benefits of using rain barrels to improve water quality. All artistic barrels will be on display with interpretative signage at local libraries, nature centers, community centers and businesses throughout Northern Virginia in spring 2011. Potential artists are required to submit a short summary and sketch of their intended design. The Northern Virginia Rain Barrel Program will choose artists based on the creativity of the design and the relevance to the program's goals. Teachers who wish to apply for their class must submit a short description of how they will use the painting and/or decorating of the rain barrel as a teaching tool in their classroom. The 55-gallon plastic barrels will be provided to the artist fully assembled, together with a $25 stipend to help cover the cost of supplies. To apply for this program, complete and submit this application by January 14: DelRayArtisans.org/shows/calls/Due-2011-01-14-RainBarrel.pdf

Learn Photoshop and be dangerous! - VA

Seating is limited: Register NOW. FCA is offering a two-part introduction seminar intended for anyone interested in learning the basics of Photoshop. It is also recommended for people who know a little about the software and wish to understand it better. Part I: Thursday, January 20, 2011, 7:00-9:30 pm  or  Saturday January 22, 2011, 1:00-3:30 pm. Part II: Thursday, February 3, 2011, 7:00-9:30 pm  or  Saturday, February 5, 2011, 1:00-3:30 pm. FCA members and students, $40; non-members, $60. Fee includes Parts I and II. The seminar will be held at ArtSpace Falls Church, 410 S. Maple Avenue, Falls Church, VA 22046. Seating is limited, and advance registration is required. For more info and registration form visit: www.fallschurcharts.org/pdf/Intro_to_Photoshop_2011.pdf

Mindful Meditation for Enhanced Creativity - VA

Class begins in February... This 9-session series introduces you to meditation to enhance your creative potential; assisting people who are creative in the arts, or any area of life, to be centered and confident in their being as they create. Register early - a deposit of $50.00 is requested to hold your place [size is limited to 8]. Total cost is $150.00 for the (9) hour and a half sessions. Class location: Convergence at 1801 N. Quaker Lane, Alexandria, VA. For more info, contact Rusty Lynn at rustylynn@earthlink.net.

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

©2010 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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