Spotlight

Art Camp Show — Saturday, July 30, 1-3pm

Art Campers will travel on an international expedition through the arts. Each day of Art Camp features projects or activities related to different cultural traditions and artistic movements. The week culminates with a gallery show of campers' art on Saturday, July 30 from 1-3pm to share with the public, and then campers will take their artwork home.

Art Walk on the Avenue First Thursday — August 4, 6-9pm

Mount Vernon Avenue will be rocking with Art Walk on the Avenue next Thursday—the First Thursday in August. Del Ray Artisans will have live music and visual art demonstrations. Plus get a sneak peek of the upcoming exhibit: States of Mind. Come get your portrait done or just enjoy the scene. Visit the gallery on First Thursday, August 4, from 6-9pm!

States of Mind exhibit opens Friday, August 5, 7-10pm

Seven über-volunteers are showcasing their artwork in this mysteriously named show. Join them as they welcome you into their creative world. The opening reception is on Friday, August 5 from 7pm-10pm. A Silent Auction runs the length of the show (August 5-28). For more information, visit: DelRayArtisans.org

Alexandria Art Market — Saturday, August 6, 10am-4pm

The market boasts amazing artwork from local artists, live music and great food. Located on the green space of the Del Ray Artisans' gallery in Colasanto Park. Musical performance by Jeff Severson on August 6 from 12-2 pm. Upcoming markets will be held the 1st Saturdays of August, September and November, rain or shine. Details at: DelRayArtisans.org/artmarket

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 a lively art-related discussion. Through it all we will always be striving to inspire and encourage.

• Monday, August 8 (2 - 4 pm)
• Monday, August 22 (2 - 4 pm)

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

Bring Your Scraps and Come Have Fun with Collage Cut Ups

Do you feel overwhelmed with the deluge of junk mail and magazines that come in the mail? Well here's your chance to beat the paper avalanche. Come play with the Collage Cut Ups in a supportive environment that promotes an exchange of ideas, creativity and networking with beginner and experienced collage artists.

• Tuesday, August 9 (1 - 4 pm)
• Tuesday, August 23 (1 - 4 pm)

For more information and to RSVP by 9:00 AM on the date that you want to attend contact the DRA Outreach Director at Outreach@DelRayArtisans.org.

Open Life Drawing Session in August

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.

• Wednesday, August 10 (11-1 pm, gestures; 2-5 pm, short/long poses)
• Wednesday, August 17 (6:30-9:30 pm Long Pose)
• Wednesday, August 24 (11-1 pm, gestures; 2-5 pm, short/long poses)

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.

Member Meeting and Cook Out/Pie-baking Contest: August 14, 5-7pm

If you have been to the August All Member Meeting in past years, you recall that it was a Pool Party... when the City opened the pool! Even though the pool is "shuttered" due to the economic times, we can still have a party! Meet and chat with your fellow artists and art supporting members, enjoy the summer cook out, and learn about what's coming for DRA. If you have not been to this Meeting in past years, you haven't had the pleasure of learning what great bakers some of our members are! Maybe you are one of them! Prepare now to bring your best recipes for the 2011 Pie-Baking Contest - maybe you can win a prize!

Volunteers are needed to help out, contact Lesley Hall at Volunteers@DelRayArtisans.org if you are interested in this scrumptious opportunity to fulfill some of your 10-hour requirement.

Portrait Artists, other Artists and Models needed for First Thursday fun

Thursday, August 4 from 6-9pm: This First Thursday's theme (Art Walk on the Avenue) provides an opportunity for Del Ray Artisans to get involved and we want you to be a part of it! We are looking for artists to do demos of their artwork, act as models, draw clothed models and/or create portraits. This is a time for artists to bring forth their creativity and positively impact Del Ray while having fun. Contact Millie Mateu at Outreach@DelRayArtisans.org for more information.

August Show needs Opening Reception and Gallery Sitting Help

We need help with the August 5th Opening Reception (bringing food/drinks, helping out) and Gallery Sitting during the month of August. If you are interested in fulfilling some of your 10-hour volunteer commitment by helping with this show, please contact Lesley Hall at Volunteers@DelRayArtisans.org. The more the merrier!

Adopt-A-Park Litter Pick Up

We need help with park pick-up on weekends starting in September and ending in November. Inspections are on Mondays, so Sunday is the best pick-up day but not a hard rule. Remember we get points for cleanliness which eventually translates into money for the gallery. If you are interested in fulfilling your 10-hour obligation outside, please contact Marlin Lord at AdoptAPark@DelRayArtisans.org.

Assistant Director of Curating Needed

[DRA members only] Work with Director of Curating, Drew Cariaso, as he guides our individual curators in mounting exhibitions for September, October and November. Coordinating our curators is fun, fulfilling and will help you grow as an artist. Plus you meet some fantastic artists. Seeing a show develop from artwork drop-off to hanging on the walls at our opening reception is an amazing experience. To join the team, contact Curating@DelRayArtisans.org

Seeking DRA Members for...

• Fundraising Committee: Help organize or assist with fundraising activities. This is a rewarding way to meet your volunteer commitment.
• Program Workshops: This is another rewarding way to meet your volunteer commitment and takes less than 1/2 hour per workshop. Duties include taking roll, collecting fees, and placing fees in a lockbox.
• Gardening Chair: Have you got a green thumb? Are you interested in using it to fulfill your volunteer hours? Del Ray Artisans is looking for a Garden Committee Chair.
• Facilities Committee: Interested in helping around the gallery? The Facility Committee is looking for committee members.

Interested members should contact Lesley Hall at Volunteers@DelRayArtisans.org for details. There are many fun ways to meet the 10 volunteer hours per year minimum!

Call for Entry; Masks exhibit at Target Gallery

Deadline: August 1, 2011. Masks is an all media exhibition that is open to all artists, nationally and internationally. Masks have long served as a symbol and a tool for concealment, protection, amusement and performance. Artists are being asked to create work based on the theme of masks, literally and conceptually. For more information and application, visit: torpedofactory.org/galleries/targetcallforentry.htm

Wine Festival at The Plains at Great Meadow September 10 - 11, 2011 (NEW)

We have exhibit space available for Great Art, Fancy Food and Fine Wine. Contact WineFestivalatThePlains.com for more details.

Artists, Crafters & Organizations Wanted, Hadeed Carpet Alexandria West End Art and Wine Festival - October 8-9 (Entry Fee Reduction)

Approximately 90 juried artists from Alexandria and throughout the country will represent all facets of art. Only artists with original arts and crafts are eligible to apply. Approximately 25 handcrafters (i.e., a single item sells for no more than $125) and organizations (i.e., Art League, Animal Shelter) are also sought. Juried Artist Fee: $250; Quality Crafter Fee: $125; and Organization Fee: $125. For more information, visit WestEndEventProductions.com

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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