Spotlight

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

All are invited to join Del Ray Artisans and create your own art inspired by live music outside the gallery. Tables, easels and supplies are provided. The artistic inspiration is yours! See how much fun making art can be, for all ages. Plus get a sneak peek of the upcoming exhibit: States of Mind!

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

Artist Vendors: Sign Up for DRA's Holiday Market Now! Registration Deadline August 12

Don't forget to apply to be a vendor at DRA's Holiday Market the first weekend in December! Fill out the application now and send it in with your check and up to three pictures of your work. The application can be found in July's newsletter, at the gallery, or online: DelRayArtisans.org/shows/calls/

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 LifeDrawing@DelRayArtisans.org.

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.

All Member Show Call for Entry; Artwork drop off Sunday, August 28 and Monday, August 29

Enter your work in the September All Member show, Retakes & Transformations: Art from everyday life. Del Ray Artisans look deeply at everyday life and get inspired by delving into habits, routines, favorite things and surroundings. Familiar subjects and commonplace materials are reborn in 2D and 3D artworks. The exhibit features the "Art for everyday life" market stocked with fine handcrafts and shrink-wrapped artwork. The application can be found in the August newsletter, at the gallery, and online: DelRayArtisans.org/shows/calls/

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!

2011 Downtown Holiday Market, December 2 - 23 (NEW)

Application Deadline: August 15, 2011. Held in the vibrant Penn Quarter neighborhood with the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture as its backdrop, the festival will again be located on the wide sidewalk of F Street, stretching from 7th to 9th Streets NW. Both ends of the market are within view of entrances to the Gallery Place Metro. Also across the street are the Verizon Center and the bustling 7th Street Gallery Place corridor. Opposite the Market are Hotel Monaco, the Spy Museum, and many upscale restaurants. All exhibitors wishing to participate must complete an application and pay a $40 application fee. A jury will review applications, images of products, and booth display. Booth fees vary per week from $175-$225 per day. More information and application is available at diversemarkets.net.

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

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

Call for Artist Announced for The Christmas Attic Holiday Advent Calendar Project (NEW)

Deadline: October 3, 2011. Old Town's landmark, The Christmas Attic is seeking qualified artists to help produce a temporary exhibition featuring illuminated canvases of art to be revealed in each of the stores windows for The Christmas Attic's Holiday Advent Calendar Event - part of the store's 40th Anniversary Celebration. The Christmas Attic is looking for 25 artists (1 artist per advent canvas) to submit an electronic sketch for review/consideration to be selected. Each day at sundown, one advent art piece will be revealed and illuminated. The store will select the order of when the canvases will be displayed for the 25 days. The final advent day (Christmas Day) must be an image of a nativity scene. All art designs must be seen from a distance and weather proofed. Artist participation submissions/concept sketches are due October 3, 2011, with artist selections announced on October 17, 2011. Individuals can download the Call for Artist information and application at www.christmasattic.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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