SPOTLIGHT

Del Ray Dozenz Photography Show

Submissions due by September 23. The all-photography show will be returning to DRA November 4–27, 2011. All current DRA members are encouraged to submit work for consideration. Entries will be judged from actual sample prints on 8.5" by 11" paper. Mail or drop off submissions at the gallery by September 23. Notification of acceptance will be made by September 30. Show curators: Rob Rudick (robrudick@yahoo.com) and Jen Chappell (jen.chappell@cox.net). Download the Call for Entry: DelRayArtisans.org/shows/calls/

Art on the Avenue – Saturday, October 1, 10am–6pm

This festival attracted over 50,000 people last year. During Art on the Avenue, DRA will present: Artists at work. Every hour one or more artists will demonstrate their art (drawing, painting, sculpting, quilting, etc). DRA is seeking members to volunteer to demonstrate their work for one hour. We especially need artists for 4-5pm and 5-6pm or you are welcome to demonstrate your work earlier in the day. The demonstrations will be in a tent immediately outside the gallery. Artists must sign up in advance, must bring their own supplies (and/or visual aids such as samples of work in various stages), and must fit within the tent (approx 12' x 8'). DRA members may stop by the gallery during gallery hours to sign up or contact Millie Mateu at Outreach@DelRayArtisans.org.

As we approach fall, your DRA Board is already thinking of 2012. We'll be developing next year's lineup of exhibits, programs and events, and our Nominating Committee is looking for a few good men and women to fill open Board positions. They may be contacting you to ask if you'll join us in guiding DRA in 2012 and beyond. To learn more, contact Ellyn Ferguson (elferguson@netzero.net), Charlotte Landis (landiscf@comcast.net), or Paula Wulff (paula@wulffmedia.com).

— Michele Reday Cook, President, Del Ray Artisans

Open Life Drawing Sessions

• Wednesday, September 21 (11am–1pm Gestures; 2–5pm Poses)

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. 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 LifeDrawing@DelRayArtisans.org

Del Ray Artisans Fundraising Committee

Help organize or assist with fundraising. We will be planning FUN activities. Come with ideas, your thinking cap, and willingness to brainstorm. Meet at the gallery at 7pm on Wednesday, September 21.

Partners in Art Group

• Monday, September 26 (2–4pm)

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. 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

• Tuesday, September 27 (1–4pm)

Come play with the Collage Cut Ups group in a supportive environment that promotes an exchange of ideas, creativity and networking with beginner and experienced collage artists. 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

Retakes and Transformations exhibit

This all members' showcase includes a silent auction for "Garden Desk" - a beautifully restored and painted child-size desk by Kelly Cox. Proceeds benefit Del Ray Artisans. Come to the gallery to bid during gallery hours. The auction closes at 6pm on Saturday, October 1. The exhibition runs through October 2 and also features an "Art for everyday life" market. Come checkout the aesthetics that enhance everyday life. Details at: DelRayArtisans.org

Get Sparked! Art inspired by writing

• Opening reception: October 7 (7–10pm)
• SPARK reading: October 14 (7–9pm)
• Student reception: October 21 (7–9pm)

DRA and SPARK (getsparked.org) embark on an artistic journey that pushes boundaries. Experience a unique showcase of writing as inspiration, and artistic interpretations. Each participating artist received one written inspiration piece, then created new art using the assigned story or poem as a jumping off point. Also, Greenbriar East Elementary students created artwork inspired by selected writers. Details at: DelRayArtisans.org

Exploring Watercolor and the Figure

Workshop on October 19 from 2-5pm. Join local artist Diana Gamerman as she demonstrates painting the figure in watercolor. A short talk on different types of watercolor paint, mediums, paper and brushes will be followed by a chance for participants to experiment with these different materials as we paint from a nude model. Ideal for beginners and those who want a refresher on using watercolor. All supplies provided. $18 for DRA members; $20 for non-members. Register in advance: DelRayArtisans.org/watercolor

When Art meets Science: A private tour at the Museum of Natural History

Tour on Monday, October 24 from 2-4pm. Sign up for this Partners in Art off-site event: a private tour of "The Bright Beneath" a solo exhibition which merges science and art in a bold new way. Artist Shih Chieh Huang a Smithsonian Artist Research Fellow was inspired through investigation of the unusual evolutionary adaptations that allow creatures to live in environments unthinkable to humans to create haunting installations. Learn more at ocean.si.edu/ocean-news/when-art-meets-science-exhibition-inspired-bioluminescence. For details, contact Millie at milaenartes@gmail.com. RSVP by October 20 at calendar.DelRayArtisans.org.

Collage with Lori K. Gordon

Workshop on October 29-30 from 9-4pm at Del Ray Artisans by nationally recognized, Mississippi Gulf Coast artist Lori K. Gordon. Register for one or both days. Day one: Small-scale organic collages. Day 2: Larger scale collage. Registration required. Including supplies, DRA members pay $130 (1 day) or $235 (both days); non-members pay $145 or $265. For details or to register, visit DelRayArtisans.org/collage or contact Linda Hill at 703-521-7623 or Programs@DelRayArtisans.org.

Request for Pumpkin Carvers – Saturday, October 1

Pumpkin Carving is a staple activity of Art on the Avenue. DRA has been asked to recruit talented carvers, or artists willing to apply their talents to carving, to show children and passersby pumpkin carving at its finest! (This will no longer be a children's activity, but strictly for demonstration.) This will take place on Saturday, October 1st, between 2-4 PM or 2-5 PM, at the "Festival Store" which is usually located in front of the UPS store between Oxford and Del Ray Avenues. Yes, this is a new and exciting way to fulfill a portion of your DRA volunteer hours commitment! Please contact Kathryn Brown at Membership@DelRayArtisans.org

Adopt-A-Park Litter Pick Up

We need help with park litter pick-up the weekend of November 26/27. Inspections are on Mondays, so Sunday is the best pick-up day but not a hard rule. Remember we get points for cleanliness that eventually translates into money for the gallery. If you are interested in fulfilling your 10-hour obligation outside, contact Marlin Lord at AdoptAPark@DelRayArtisans.org

Seeking DRA Members for...

• 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.
• Fundraising Committee: Help organize or assist with fundraising activities. We have a few goals to meet including new gallery lighting. The next committee meeting is Wednesday, September 21, 7-9pm at the gallery.
• Program Workshops: Help the Program Committee set up workshops. It takes less than 1/2 hour per workshop. Duties include taking roll, collecting fees, and placing fees in a lockbox.
• 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: Real Art D.C. (NEW)

This project launched to showcase the creativity of local artists - both professional and amateur - on The Washington Post site. Selected entries will be featured in the Style section of the paper, and some will be chosen for a profile by a Washington Post critic. Post photos of your work in Real Art. The gallery can be found at this address (http://www.washingtonpost.com/realart2011), and also at washingtonpost.com/museums.

Workshop: Mindful Meditation for Enhanced Creativity

Begins on September 20 and runs for 9 weeks on Tuesdays from 7 - 8:30 pm. This course will introduce you to mindful meditation and guided visualization practice to enhance you creative potential. We make use of mediation and journaling in response to guiding questions which help us focus on the ways fear and resistance can block us from full access of our creativity. Whatever you creative endeavor may be, this course can help you. This is a powerful and gentle process that has helped many people over the last several years. The cost for the course is $175.00 and registration is online at www.convergenceccf.net

Concert: Jazz Supper Under The Stars

Old Town Business and Professional Association and King Street Garden Park Foundation Inc presents Jazz Supper under the Stars on Thursday, September 22 from 5pm-9:30pm at King Street Garden Park (King St & Diagonal Rd) featuring The Al Williams Band. Catering by Hard Times Cafe. Cash bar. Tickets: $25 with reservation or $30 at the gate. Rain location is behind Hard Times Cafe in the parking garage (1404 King St). Proceeds benefit King Street Gardens Park. For reservations or more information, call 703-683-0333.

Call for Entry: Dying To Get In (NEW)

Deadline: September 24, 2011. Open to all artists in all media. The subject for this show is the cemetery, any cemetery, and expressed in any media. The show will be displayed in the Springfield Mall. A large map and guidelines for visiting family cemeteries is available in the Springfield Mall Community Room. Juried Art Show presented by: Springfield Art Guild and the Fairfax County Cemetery Preservation Association. Juror: Pam Rogers. Show runs October 3 - November 12, 2011. For more information, email Skeeter Scheid at skeeter.scheid@cox.net. The prospectus is available at http://www.honorfairfaxcemeteries.org/2011/07/18/

Workshop: Image Play

Begins on October 5 and runs for 6 weeks on Wednesdays from 7 – 9 pm at the Lab at Convergence at 1819 N Quaker Lane, Alexandria. This course is based on the "Open Studio Process" which fosters an intimate relationship with deep places in the self. Each class begins with a short period of meditation, then writing an Intention Statement, then a period of art making which could be drawing, painting, sculpture, or whatever the project is tor the evening. Then we write a Witness Statement which is a dialogue with the art work we have made. There is no commenting, judging, or evaluating of the art work so we are each free to have our own experience with art making and with our creative self. This is a gentle, profound, and surprising process. The cost for the course is $120.00 for the six weeks plus $15.00 materials fee (all materials will be provided.) Registration is online at www.convergenceccf.net

Call for Entry: FotoDC Youth Photo Contest

Deadline Sunday, October 9. Any student K – 12 who attends school in DC, Virginia and Maryland may submit their best pictures to the 4th annual Fotoweek DC youth photo contest sponsored by the Washington Post. Categories: People, Animals, Landscape, School Life and Social Change. Cash prizes for 1st and 2nd Place winners. Also, get your photo displayed for everyone to see. For details visit www.FOTODC.org

Call for Entry: Gallery West 15th Annual National Juried Show

Entry deadline: November 11, 2011. Gallery West is pleased to announce a call for entries for its 15th annual national juried show. The all media show will be juried by CD, awards to total $1000. It will be juried by Edward J. Reed. Exhibit Dates: February 8, 2012 – March 4, 2012. For more details, download the attached call for entry or to review the prospectus and entry form go to: www.gallery-west.com

Call for Artist Vendors: Etz Hayim's Artist Expo

Sunday, December 4, from 11:30 to 4 pm. We are holding a crafts fair/artist expo and are in search of local artists, particularly those working in wood, fabrics (silks, cottons, wools, other), pottery/ceramics, paper, soaps/body lotions, glass, or other unusual media. The event will be held at Congregation Etz Hayim, a synagogue at 2920 Arlington Blvd, which is Route 50, in Arlington, VA. The participation fee is $60 for a 9' x 6' space (depending on the number of artists, the space may be a little bigger). We can provide electricity if needed, and will also provide all the artists with a nice lunch! We typically have between 25 and 30 artists participating. For more information, contact leffron@gmail.com or 703-307-3205.

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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