Weekly eNews

Speed Dating at the Gallery (Tomorrow!)

THIS SATURDAY, April 26 from 8-10pm. Join us for an evening of awesome art viewing and fun conversations! The evening will start at 8pm with viewing art from the Revolution: Art & Technology show, mingling and conversation over light refreshments. Only $10 per person and covers food and goodies. Must be over 21 years old and single to participate. Please RSVP with your name and gender to Gallery@DelRayArtisans.org by 6pm on April 26. Details at: calendar.DelRayArtisans.org

REVOLUTION: Art & Technology Art Exhibit (Final Weekend!)

Love it or hate it, technology is revolutionizing the art world. In REVOLUTION, artists explore their relationship with technology through computer-created art, digitally manipulated art, art made from electronic parts, mixed-media pieces expressing feelings about technology, and more. Show runs through Sunday, April 27.

Thank you to all who patroned, volunteered to help, and participated in this show. The show received wonderful reviews. Voting ended Friday, April 18 for the Viewer's Choice Awards. 77 ballots were tallied for a total of 297 votes. View the awardees at: calendar.DelRayArtisans.org
—Ann Krug & Connie Saunders, Curators   

17th Annual T.C. Williams Student Art Show Opening Reception

Friday, May 2 from 7-9pm. Del Ray Artisans and the T.C. Williams High School Art Department jointly present the 17th Annual Student Art Show at Del Ray Artisans gallery. The exhibit will feature the work of members of the National Art Honor Society (NAHS). Many of these students will continue to study art at the college level, and much of the work on exhibit was featured in their winning college admission portfolios. Show runs May 2 through May 11.

Partners in Art

Monday, May 5 from 2-4pm. Looking for support in reaching your art-related goals? Partners in Art is a group of artists that meets regularly to share goals, report on progress, obtain feedback on current artwork, and discuss topics of interest to the group. Become a regular or drop-in with artwork if you are looking for feedback. Contact us for current topics of discussion: Millie Mateu (milaenartes@gmail.com) or Katherine Rand (katherine@katherinerand.com). Donations ($1–3) greatly appreciated.

Life Drawing Open Sessions

• Monday, May 5 from 7-9pm (Short Pose)
• Wednesday, May 7 from 11am-1pm (Gesture)
• Wednesday, May 7 from 2-5pm (Short/Long Pose)
• Sunday, May 18 from 9:30-11:30am (Gesture)
• Wednesday, May 21 from 2-5pm (Short/Long Pose)
• Wednesday, May 28 from 6:30-9:30pm (Long Pose)

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 3-hour session is $10 for DRA members and $12 for non-members. 2-hour sessions are $8 for members and $10 for non-members. If you have questions, contact Katherine Rand at LifeDrawing@DelRayArtisans.org.

Alexandria Art Market

Saturday, May 10 from 10am-4pm. Introducing Alexandria's 5th season art market featuring amazing artwork and multicultural performances. The variety of original artwork from over 25+ artists will be displayed for sale including, but not limited to, painting, photography, pottery, jewelry, and glasswork. The market is held on the 2nd Saturday of the month from May through October from 10am-4pm in Colasanto Park, adjoining the Del Ray Artisans gallery at 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA (corner of Commonwealth Avenue and Mount Vernon Avenue). This free event is held rain or shine.

Bring your Camera to the Member Meeting!

"How to Photograph Your Artwork" is the program for the Member Meeting on Sunday, May 18 from 2-4pm. This free presentation by David Kosar will give you the basics needed to photograph your art and time will be allowed for individual questions. Refreshments provided. Bring your camera and instruction manual. For more information, contact Linda at Membership@DelRayArtisans.org

SocialLights!

Tuesday, May 20 from 6-9pm. SocialLights is an open forum for artists to come together to discuss concepts, participate in activities, and encourage more inspiration and art-making. Whether creating a collaborative piece, sharing ideas on current art events, or brainstorming for the next show, this program allows an open space to encourage a positive and motivational environment for artists to network and share ideas. This event is FREE; donations appreciated. Space is limited so register to reserve a spot: DelRayArtisans.org/SocialLights

By Women, About Women at Prudential PenFed Realty

Show runs through June 29 at Prudential PenFed Realty. Prudential PenFed Realty's Old Town Alexandria office features the Living Legends of Alexandria (photographic portraits of women who have made a positive, tangible difference to the quality of life in Alexandria) and works by Del Ray Artisans women artists (highlighting women and women's themes). View the exhibit during office hours at Prudential PenFed Realty (300 N Washington St, Suite 100, Alexandria VA 22314). Office hours are: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. Details at: DelRayArtisans.org/PrudentialPenFed

Solo/Small Group Exhibit Opportunities for DRA Members

Del Ray Artisans (DRA) is looking for artist members to submit proposals for solo or small group shows as a part of our Gallery Without Walls (GWW) program. Current opportunities include: three one-month shows at the Shirlington branch of the Arlington Public Library (first show in June; digital submissions due May 1) or rotating four-month shows at the Prudential PenFed Realty office in Old Town Alexandria (starting in July; digital submissions due June 1). Download the Call for Entry for both: DelRayArtisans.org/shows/calls/

Eyes On The Border

Receiving: Sunday, May 11 and Monday, May 12 from 6-8pm. In this collaborative exhibit, artist members from Del Ray Artisans (DRA) and Art Latin American Collective Project (ALACP) are invited to explore universal themes from the individual perspective of each artist. This exhibit is both a celebration of Latin American art and culture and a look at how we are all influenced by places, borders and boundaries, political, or cultural, real or imagined. Latin American artists living and working in this area, and Del Ray Artisans with their own immigrant experience share their roots and translate their realities into a vision influenced by the virtual world and globalization. Open to DRA and ALACP members only. Download the Call for Entry: DelRayArtisans.org/shows/calls/

SUITES: Scandalous, Uproarious, Intriguing Titillating Entanglements & Seductions

Receiving: Sunday, June 1 and Monday, June 2 from 6:30-8:30pm. Shocking, funny, arousing curiosity, exciting, compromising, temptations... what do these words bring to mind? Show us in your own medium what these words mean to you. Make us laugh, make us blush... or both! Having trouble visualizing something? Look up each word in the "SUITES" show title for inspiration. Or, since our collaboration with the Little Theater of Alexandria (LTA) this year is with their production of Neil Simon's Plaza Suite, dive into the screenplay for ideas! Download the Call for Entry: DelRayArtisans.org/shows/calls/

Del Ray Artisans members are required to volunteer for at least 12 hours per year to support the organization and its mission. Below are some volunteer opportunities.

Time-Sensitive Requests

• Adopt-a-Park: Pick Up Litter
  We need a volunteer for this weekend (April 26-27)! Del Ray Artisans volunteers pick-up litter in Colasanto Park every weekend from March through November as a part of the City of Alexandria's Adopt-a-Park program. Inspections are on Mondays, so Sunday is the best pick-up day but not a hard rule. If you are interested in assisting, contact Marlin with your preferred weekend(s) at AdoptAPark@DelRayArtisans.org
• Student Art Show: Gallery Hosts Needed
  Seeking volunteers to help students Gallery Host. Dates needed: Saturday, May 3 from 6-9pm; Friday, May 9 from 6-9pm; Saturday, May 10 from 6-9pm. Contact Stacy at Youth@DelRayArtisans.org

On-Going Needs

• Archives/Documentation: Event Photography
  Seeking volunteers to take photos of Del Ray Artisans events for our archives and Flickr Photostream. Volunteer to photograph opening receptions, workshops, regular programs, or markets. We are hoping for around 10-20 photos from each event. Contact John at Archives@DelRayArtisans.org.
• Archives/Documentation: Photographers Needed to Document Shows
  Seeking volunteer(s) to take photos of each piece of artwork in a show (as well as some overall gallery shots) for our archives and Flickr Photostream. Must be completed before the show comes down. We have a volunteer covering the current show; help needed for the next show. Contact John at Archives@DelRayArtisans.org.
• Garden: Spring Clean Up & Prep
  Seeking volunteers to help with clean up and preparing of the gardens at the gallery to help turn them into spring beauties. Contact Pamela at Gardens@DelRayArtisans.org
• Office Help at the Gallery
  The Office Manager needs help getting office-related things done on Thursdays and Fridays between 12-6pm. Tasks may include basic typing, labeling envelopes, shredding papers, organizing files, comparing lists, organizing things in closets (no heaving lifting). Would love to have a few people commit to 1-2 hours/month for consistent help (e.g. every 3rd Friday or every 2nd Thurs). Contact Tracy at Gallery@DelRayArtisans.org to help.
• Office Help from Home: Typing Guest Book Entries
  We need a volunteer who could take the guest book sign-in sheets and type the information into an electronic spreadsheet. This work could be done at home on your own timeframe (with generous deadlines). Must have Microsoft Excel or Google Drive Spreadsheet. Contact Linda at Membership@DelRayArtisans.org.
• Curator Support: Join Our Team!
  Volunteer to assist a curator (hanging artwork, data entry / spreadsheets, people skills). Experienced past curators especially needed, but all volunteers are welcome. Contact Lesley at Curating@DelRayArtisans.org.
• Curator Support: Help Curators write their Call for Entry
  A Call for Entry consist of a description of the art exhibit vision (audience: artists), Entry Details, Accepted Artist Requirements & Find Print, Entry Form, and important dates. Help curators put together this document. Must have access to Microsoft Word and be able to email documents. Helpful skills: creative writing, content editing, MS Word formatting. Contact Lesley at Curating@DelRayArtisans.org.
• Curator Support: Help Curators write their Communications Packet
  A Communications Packet consists of a Press Release, 35-word blurb, and 75-word blurb explaining the exhibit (audience: the public). Help curators put together this packet for media consumption. Must have access to Microsoft Word and be able to email documents. Helpful skills: creative writing, content editing, MS Word formatting. Contact Lesley at Curating@DelRayArtisans.org.
• Curator Support: Help Curators design their Postcard
  Postcards contain the vital show information: show title, dates, reception information, any special events and other information the curators wish to highlight. Help curators put together this file for the printer. Must have access to software capable of creating printer-ready files (e.g. Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, etc.) and be able to email documents. Helpful skills: creative design, content proofing. Contact Lesley at Curating@DelRayArtisans.org

Plein Air Event in Lorton, VA

Event date: Saturday, April 26. Check in begins at 8:30am. The Workhouse Associate Artists of Building W-9 are hosting their 2nd Annual Plein Air Event as a part of SpringFest Fairfax 2014. Artwork must be completed on-site. Cash prize for Best in Show. The Judge will be Tricia DeWeese. Entry donation is $10. Painters and viewers welcomed. Artwork subject must be of designated Workhouse Arts Center, Cross County Trial, or Occoquan Regional Park scenes, not from photographs. Workhouse Arts Center is located at 9601 Ox Road, Lorton, VA 22079. For more information, contact: skyvine@yahoo.com and review / print the prospectus and registration form from: tinyurl.com/wh-pa14

Call for Artist Vendors: Alexandria's Food & Wine Festival

Applications due by May 1, 2014. We are seeking arts and craft vendors for this year's festival scheduled for June 21st from 12-5pm at John Carlyle Square near Old Town Alexandria. For details. please email sales@sandbevents.com or call 202-246-0163. Website: www.alexandriafoodandwine.com

Call for Entries: Fall for the Book 2014 Poster Contest

Deadline: Postmark by May 15, 2014. The festival planners seek a full-color poster that celebrates the interaction between readers and writers. The poster will be printed in the summer & distributed throughout the capital region. The poster must include the Fall for the Book logo, festival dates (Sep 11-18, 2014), www.fallforthebook.org, and leave room for a QR Code. Entries should appear in the same form as the final artwork; electronic files will be necessary for reproduction of the winning poster. Grand Prize: A cash award of $500. Details at Web: http://fallforthebook.org/2014/04/02/2014-poster-contest/

Call for Artists: Art on the Avenue on October 4

Submit Application by June 1 to be in the first round of judging. Art on the Avenue is a multicultural arts festival organized by the Del Ray Community Partnership. The show welcomes applications from all craft artists and is known for high quality artwork. All work must be original, handmade, created and exhibited by the approved artist. Showcase your most recent and best work, and list materials and retail prices on the back of each photo. Standard booth rate is $195 ($180 for Del Ray Artisans members or students). The first round of judging is the first week in June. From June through the end of September any remaining spaces are filled by the judges as applications are received. For questions about the jury process or the show, email artontheavenue@gmail.com. Download the Application: artontheavenue.org/?p=520

Call for Artists: Solo show opportunities at Gallery Underground

Gallery Underground announces juried solo or group exhibition opportunities for artists from the Greater Washington, DC area for the Special Exhibitions space. Crystal City gallery w/ flexible space for both 2d and 3d art. Go to www.galleryunderground.org for full prospectus and application. Contact: 571-483-0652

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

©2014 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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