Open Life Drawing Sessions: Wednesdays, January 19 & 26

Work from live models in our regular Open Life Drawing sessions at the gallery. All skill levels welcome. Sessions are drop-in. No registration required. Bring supplies. Fee for each 3-hour session: $8, DRA members; $10, non-members. Two-hour sessions: $6, members; $8, non-members. For details visit: calendar.DelRayArtisans.org. For questions, contact Katherine Rand at 703-836-1468 or DRA.LifeDrawing@gmail.com.

January 19, 6:30-9:30 pm (short/long pose)
January 26, 11-1 pm (gesture) & 2-5 pm (short/long pose)

"Sock It To Winter" Sock Hop: Saturday, January 15 (7-10 pm)

Put on your dancing shoes and dance the night away to Rat Pack music. The entry fee is one pair of new socks for each person admitted. Donated socks benefit the Carpenter's Shelter. The sock drive runs the length of the current show, Baby, It's Cold Outside. Members of the public that wish to visit the show (through January 30) and donate additional socks, may also 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.

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 at the Del Ray Artisans gallery to create one-of-a-kind, handcrafted greeting cards. 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

Follow the tortured footsteps of Van Gogh and Toulouse Lautrec. Love Letters, the exhibit, running February 4 -27, invites you to submit artwork inspired by art's most powerful emotion—love. Open to Del Ray Artisan members and non-members. Artists may submit a maximum of three entries and are required to accompany each submitted artwork with a love letter to the artwork subject matter. Drop off hours are Sunday 1/30/11 from 7-9 pm and Monday 1/31/11 from 6-9 pm. For details, download the Call for Entry: DelRayArtisans.org/shows/calls/Due-2011-01-31-LoveLetters.pdf. In addition to the exhibit, two creative workshops and a Valentine's Day event are also planned. Please direct your questions to curators Matthew Tito Cuenca (matthewcuenca@gmail.com) or Tracy Wilkerson (tlwideas@comcast.net).

Love Letters exhibition opens: Friday, February 4

A collection of love-inspired artworks paired up with artist's love letters. Join us as we eavesdrop on the private conversation between artist and admiration. Reception is Friday, February 4, from 7-10 pm and runs through Sunday, February 27. Two creative workshops and a Valentine's Day event are also planned. Visit DelRayArtisans.org for details and registration. For more information, contact Matthew Tito Cuenca (matthewcuenca@gmail.com) or Tracy Wilkerson (tlwideas@comcast.net).

Life Drawing Workshop - Gesture Drawing:
Wednesday, February 16 (6:30-9:30 pm)

Still looking for ways to get the most out of those short poses? Instructor Robin Croft will offer exercises and commentary intended to encourage a loose gestural approach to drawing the figure. Bring a LARGE paper or newsprint pad and one or more of the following: red or black Conte; stick charcoal; woodless pencils; chalk pastel; brush and India ink. Fees are $15 for DRA members, $18 for non-members. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Registration deadline is Sunday, February 13 at the gallery or online at: DelRayArtisans.org/WebCalendar/view_entry.php?id=766&date=20110216. For more information, please contact Katherine Rand at 703-836-1468 or DRA.LifeDrawing@gmail.com.

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

Fareeha Khawaja and Betty Plummer will curate an abstract art show in March entitled Beyond Form: Expressing Art. We seek the spiritual essence of things, the energy of color and line, the artist's feelings, emotions, inspiration. This show is open to all artists. As a benefit to Del Ray Artisans members, an additional exhibit opportunity under our Gallery Without Walls program allows DRA members only to submit selected abstract artworks from Beyond Form to a juried exhibit at the Signature Theatre during the run of ART [for 8 weeks from March 29 through May 22]. DRA hopes this inspires you to start painting NOW! For more information, contact Betty Plummer at 703-892-8638 or DRA.newsletter@gmail.com.

"Sock it to Winter" Sock Hop Volunteers Needed

[DRA members only] Looking for volunteers to help with manning the bar and keeping the food table stocked at the DRA Sock Hop this Saturday, January 15, 2011. For details and to sign up, contact curator Constance Springer Zabowski at cspringer43@gmail.com.

Valentine Card Making Party! Handy Helpers Needed

[DRA members only] Volunteers needed to assist DRA's Valentine card makers. No experience necessary! If you're willing to help with snacks, supplies and a big clean up, please contact Theresa at tkulstad@verizon.net or Karen at schmityk@yahoo.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.

DRA Seeking Imagery for Newsletter

Doodle for DRA! Do you do small line drawings that can be added to The Well Crafted Word? Stars, faces, abstract designs, etc., can spark up articles and add original style to our newsletter. Artists will be credited under the drawing. Please send your original art to DRA.newsletter@gmail.com in JPG format.

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.

Art Whino Art Workshops - MD

Does your New Year Resolution's include taking classes to sharpen your arsenal of skills? Then you are in luck! Art Whino, a DC based gallery, is offering fun and unique art classes. The lineup begins with four workshops: 1) Creating Your Alter-Ego and Your Dream Environment, 2) Illustrating the Narrative, 3) Paint the Sandman for Gaiman, 4) Creating Magic From Miniature. For details, please email classes@artwhino.com. Classes will be held at the gallery, National Harbor, 122 Waterfront St, National Harbor, MD.

Washington Glass School Educational Program - DC

This New Year, don't bother with the usual list of resolutions that are posted on the fridge door, only to be ignored and forgotten. Instead, resolve to create at The Washington Glass School. It's a much more manageable resolution. A unique educational program in the Nation's capital, The Washington Glass School and Creative Arts Community offers something for everyone with classes for both the beginning and seasoned artists. All you have to do is go online to: www.washglass.com, start clicking through all the classes offered this winter, and register.

Crystal City Business Improvement Project - VA

Submission Deadline: January 14. Calling all Artists: The Crystal City Business Improvement District is seeking qualified artists to help produce a temporary, outdoor art exhibit for the Crystal City Water Park. Selected artists will receive a grant of $5,000 from the Crystal City Business Improvement District to build and implement their concept. Download the submission packet at www.crystalcity.org/_files/docs/illuminationcfa.pdf. For questions, contact Joe Petty at 703-412-9430 or jpetty@crystalcity.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. 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. To apply for this program, complete and submit this application by January 14: DelRayArtisans.org/shows/calls/Due-2011-01-14-RainBarrel.pdf.

DC Art Decathlon - DC

Proposals due: January 15. Calling all artists to flex their creative muscles. Decathletes are recognized by peers and laymen alike as being the best all-around athletes. If the best all-around athlete is one who most efficiently balances speed, strength, technique, and endurance, then what defines the best all-around artist? The DC Arts Center's Visual Arts Committee wants to know what you think and what you can do! For more information and proposal criteria, contact Carolyn Law at dcacgallerymanager@gmail.com.

Paint From Within - VA

Class begins Sunday, January 16. This on-going painting class invites you to paint intuitively. There is no experience necessary, as this is not a goal-oriented process - rather, it is an expression of the self. Bring your willingness to explore and your openness to new possibilities. All supplies provided. Class will be held at Grass Roots Station Restaurant, 535 East Braddock Road, Alexandria, VA. For details and to register, please contact Sukia at 530-329-4191.

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 February 17. This 9-session series [Feb 17 - April 14] 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 [Thursdays, 7 - 8:30pm]. Class location: Convergence at 1801 N. Quaker Lane, Alexandria, VA. For more info, contact Rusty Lynn at rustylynn@earthlink.net.

Hamiltonian Artists Fellowship Program - DC

Application deadline: Monday, February 28. Hamiltonian Artists is excited to announce its fourth annual open call to emerging artists to apply to its two-year Fellowship Program, aimed to aid in the professional development of contemporary visual artists. For application requirements, restrictions and forms, please visit www.hamiltonianartists.org/apply.php.

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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