Spotlight

Open Mic Lyric Slam, Sunday May 1, 2 - 4 pm

This interactive program will honor the poetry, words and anthems of rock music. Participants will have the opportunity to read and recite their original songs or slam the lyrics of their favorite songs.

Experience It's Only Rock 'n' Roll, But I Like It! through May 1

This all-media show, juried by Fierce Sonia and Jen Chappell, pays homage to all things Rock 'n' Roll. The show runs through May 1. For details DelRayArtisans.org or FierceSonia@aol.com.

A New Artist Year through May 1 at Prudential Carruthers

This special DRA Gallery Without Walls art exhibit "A New Artist Year" will be on display until May 1. The Prudential Carruthers office (300 N Washington St, Alexandria, VA) is open M-F 9am-5pm for show viewing. Contact: Becky Arnold (Becky.Arnold@prudentialcarruthers.com) or Drew Cariaso (DRA.curatorcoordnator@gmail.com) for more information.

T.C. Williams Student Art Show opens Friday, May 6

Fifteen T.C. Williams High School students selected as this year's National Art Honor Society inductees will exhibit their work at Del Ray Artisans May 6-15. Many of these students will continue their art studies at the college level, and much of the work on exhibit was featured in their winning college admission portfolios. Come celebrate these rising stars at an opening reception on Friday, May 6th, 7-10pm.

Alexandria Art Market kicks off Saturday, May 7, 10am - 4pm

Alexandria Art Market is embarking on its 2nd season! It will be held the 1st Saturdays of May, June, July, August, September and November 2011,10-4 pm, rain or shine. The market boasts amazing artwork from local artists, music from multicultural musicians and great food from local restaurants. Located on the green space of the Del Ray Artisans' gallery in Colasanto Park. Entry is free and open to the public. For details DelRayArtisans.org or DRA.AlexandriaArtMarket@gmail.com.

Art Camp 2011 - Registration Now Available

Join the Del Ray Artisans as we travel around the world in five days. From July 25-29, students ages 8-14 will experience an international expedition through the arts. Each day, 9 am - 4 pm, will feature projects and activities related to cultural traditions and artistic movements found throughout the world. Cost is $250 before 6/1/11, $275 after 6/1/11. Register at the gallery or DelRayArtisans.org or contact Lisa McKee, Art Camp Director at DRA.ArtCamp@gmail.com for additional information.

Beyond Form: Expressing Art Exhibit at Signature Theatre runs through June 12

This is a juried selection of pieces from the recent abstract art show at the DRA gallery. This all media, abstract art show is exhibited in the lobby gallery of Signature Theatre in conjunction with their run of "ART" by Yasmina Reza in which a white-on-white abstract painting plays a leading role! Visit our exhibit whenever the Signature lobby is open, Tuesday - Friday 10 am - 10 pm, Saturday and Sunday noon - 10 pm.

Open Life Drawing Session in May

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.

• May 11, 11 am - 1 pm Gestures, 2 pm - 5 pm Short/Long Poses
• May 25, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm TBD

The fee for each three-hour session is $8 for DRA members and $10 for non-members. Two-hour sessions are $6 for members and $8 for non-members. For questions, please contact Katherine Rand at 703.836.1468 or DRA.LifeDrawing@gmail.com.

Partners in Art Group

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. You may find us engaged in a creativity exercise, enjoying a short demonstration or having in a lively art-related discussion. Through it all we will always be striving to inspire and encourage.

• May 9, 2 pm - 4 pm
• May 23, 2 pm - 4 pm

This program is free of charge and open to all. Visit the DRA website for details and upcoming dates. Contact Millie Mateu (globaleducationsolutions@gmail.com) or Katherine Rand (katherine@katherinerand.com) with questions.

Café Sketching Workshop

Tuesdays, May 10th & 24th, 2-5 pm. Join us for this two-part workshop with Hamil Ma. During the first mock cafe session Hamil will demonstrate strategies for simplifying the figure while drawing quickly and fearlessly. For the second session we will head out to Mount Vernon Avenue for some actual cafe sketching. Hamil will provide pointers and encouragement along the way. Please bring sketchbook, pencils and eraser. Fees are $25/members, $30/non-members. Register on-line: DelRayArtisans.org/cafe.

Workshop: Creating Outdoor Mosaic Garden Ornaments

Saturday, May 14, 11:30 - 3:30 PM and Sunday, May 15, noon to 4:00 PM. Class will include techniques and materials to install mosaics that will withstand moisture, freeze-thaw cycles and other elements of winter weather. Additional supplies must be provided by the participants (a supply list will be provided). Participants may register for one day, either Saturday or Sunday, or both days. The workshop fee for DRA members is $60.00 for both days and $30 for one day. The fee for non-members is $70 for both days and $35 for one day. Registration at calendar.DelRayArtisans.org or contact Sally Coler at 202-270-9524 or sallycoler@hotmail.com.

Adopt a Park 2011

Thank you so much to all of you who have helped with our Adopt-A-Park program in the past. It is a very simple way to gain some needed funds, improve the environment, help beautify the city and get a little fresh air as well. We earned $885 for our efforts in 2010 and we can earn up to $945 for 2011. DRA has adopted the Colasanto Park, which is the parkland from the pool fence north to the intersection of Commonwealth and Mt. Vernon Avenues. This is a perfect way to fulfill some of your 10 hours of DRA volunteer commitment. Please contact Marlin Lord, Facilities Director, at MGLAIA@aol.com or 703-836-2724 to sign up for your weekend.

Creativity Needed - Alexandria, VA (NEW)

A Show of Hands is looking for an artist to help design a replacement awning for their building. For additional information, please contact ashowofhands.alexandria@gmail.com.

Call for Instructors / Artists - VA

Deadline: May 1, 2011. Del Ray Artisans is accepting project proposals for Art Camp 2011 for 25 students aged 8-14 (9 am - 4 pm, July 25-29, 2011). The ideal project will be fun, instructional, support the theme "around the world in 5 days" and be tailored to age groups 8-10 and/or 11-14. Projects should combine educational elements with hands-on opportunities for creativity and relate to a current or historic craft founded in cultural tradition. DelRayArtisans.org.

Art in City Hall - Alexandria, VA

Deadline: May 6. The Art League and the City of Alexandria, in conjunction with the Mayor's initiative to promote the arts citywide in Alexandria, are coordinating a rotating fine art exhibit, Around Town. This exhibit will enhance the environment of Alexandria's City Hall and promote the talent of local artists. The exhibit will be juried by an outside, independent expert in the arts, and will hang for seven months on the second floor of the Alexandria City Hall. The Call is available at DelRayArtisans.org/shows/calls/

Call for Instructors: visual arts, crafts and social dance - MD

Deadline: May 9, 2011. The Glen Echo Park Partnership is now accepting course proposals from visual arts, crafts and social dance instructors for the fall and winter 2011-2012 sessions. We are seeking proposals in the arts areas of beading and jewelry; fiber arts including knitting; sculpture and other arts, crafts and media. Social dance proposals are sought in the areas of Carolina Shag, Country Line Dancing and Hand Dancing styles. For more information see GlenEchoPark.org.

Multiple Calls for Entry - VA

Varying deadlines - some as early as May 9. In conjunction with Artomatic, Artisphere in Arlington, VA is announcing multiple calls for entry at www.artisphere.com/about/arts_opportunities.aspx

How to Participate in a Critique without Being Really Offended - VA (NEW)

Tuesday, May 10, 7:00 pm - Bring a piece to be critiqued and join watercolorist Gwendolyn C. Bragg who will review what to look for when critiquing and discuss what to keep in mind when on the receiving end. Free and open to all! ArtSpace Falls Church, http://fallschurcharts.org/?p=1947.

Calling all artists and arts organizations: ROOTS Fest - MD

Participate in a bold and ambitious national arts celebration (ROOTS Fest 2011) which will take place in June on the 52 acres of green space atop the "Highway to Nowhere" (Route 40), which runs through the center of the West Baltimore neighborhood. Details at ROOTSFest2011.org.

Call for Entry: Biennial Maryland Regional Juried Art Exhibit - MD

Deadline: May 15, 2011. The UMUC Arts program invites entries of works by artists in Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington, D.C., for the first Biennial Maryland Regional Juried Art Exhibit, August 1 through October 16, 2011, in the Arts Program Gallery at the UMUC Inn and Conference Center, Adelphi, Maryland. Details at www.umuc.edu/art/biennial_maryland_exhibit/call_for_entries.shtml

2nd Annual Big Cherry Block Party - Take 2 - MD (NEW)

Deadline: June 15 - The 2nd annual Big Cherry Block Party that was held in April was a great success. Unfortunately, mother nature decided not to cooperate and the festival was closed early. So, we have another chance to celebrate Japan and its culture in July. Downtown Silver Spring is an incredible shopping destination. Last year we had over 9,000 eager shoppers come to the festival, and this year was looking even better. Details capitolmarketplaceevents.com.

Adams Morgan Day festival- DC (NEW)

Deadline: July 1, 2011 - One of the best DC festivals, Adams Morgan Day has kept alive the tradition of street festivals for the past 33 years. Every year it draws in over 30,000 people. Art on Belmont is a special section of the festival where 45 fine art and craft exhibitors line the tree shaded street with amazing hand made art. This section is open 2 hours earlier for early art lovers. Applications available: capitolmarketplaceevents.com.

Call for Book Submissions

Deadline: July 29, 2011. The Sunderland Book Project invites national and international artists, designers, bookmakers and printmakers to design and make an artist's book, pamphlet, 'zine or comic inspired by the North East of England's coastal city of Sunderland. Choose from the city's rich history in seafaring, industrial heritage and glass making, (to name just a few) or document contemporary landmarks such as the Stadium of Light, University City and the Aquatic Centre boasting the only 50m swimming pool between Leeds and Edinburgh! Details at theresaeaston.wordpress.com/the-sunderland-book-project.

Aesthetica Magazine

Deadline: Wednesday, August 31, 2011. The competition is now open for entries! Aesthetica Magazine is inviting all artists, photographers, writers and poets to submit their work into the Creative Works Competition. Now in its fourth year, the competition is dedicated to celebrating and championing creative talent across the disciplines and welcomes entries from poets and writers as well as artists working in any medium, including sculpture, textiles, photography, ceramics, paint, digital art and more! Guidelines on how to submit can be found online at www.aestheticamagazine.com/submission_guide.htm.

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

©2011 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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