Weekly eNews

Eyes On The Border Art Exhibit Opening Reception (Tonight)

Friday, May 16 from 7-9pm. In this collaborative exhibit, artist members from Del Ray Artisans (DRA) and Art Latin American Collective Project (ALACP) celebrate Latin American culture and 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. Show runs May 16-June 1. Details at: DelRayArtisans.org

Bring your Camera to the Member Meeting! (This Sunday)

"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 and Paul Alers 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

Life Drawing Open Sessions

• 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)
• Monday, June 9 from 7-9pm (Short Pose)
• Wednesday, June 11 from 11am-1pm (Gesture)
• Wednesday, June 11 from 2-5pm (Short/Long Pose)
• Wednesday, June 18 from 6:30-9:30pm (Long Pose)
• Sunday, June 22 from 9:30-11:30am (Gesture)
• Wednesday, June 25 from 2-5pm (Short/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.

Speed Dating at the Gallery

Saturday, May 31 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 Eyes On The Border show, mingling and conversation over light refreshments. Only $10 per person. Must be over 21 years old and single to participate. Please RSVP to Gallery@DelRayArtisans.org with your name and gender by 6pm on May 31. Details at: calendar.DelRayArtisans.org

SUITES Art Exhibit Opening Reception

Friday, June 6 from 7-9pm. Scandalous, Uproarious, Intriguing Titillating Entanglements & Seductions. Shocking, funny, arousing curiosity, exciting, compromising, temptations… what do these words bring to mind? Experience the intriguing sights and images that area artists created. This all media show has high expectations to make us laugh, make us blush… or both! Show runs June 6 through June 29. Details at: DelRayArtisans.org

Partners in Art

Monday, June 9 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.

Plaza Suite Show and Reception at the Little Theatre of Alexandria

Join us on Friday, June 13 at the Little Theatre of Alexandria (600 Wolfe St, Alexandria VA 22314) for their rendition of Neil Simon's Plaza Suite, where Del Ray Artisans will be hosting a special Reception. Tickets are just $40 each for the entire evening, including delicious hors d'oeuvres, reception elbow-rubbing, an art auction, and the Plaza Suite show! The Reception begins at 6:30pm, and the curtain goes up at 8pm. Tickets for the June 13th event can only be purchased through Del Ray Artisans. For more details or to pre-order tickets, visit: DelRayArtisans.org/LTA

Alexandria Art Market

Saturday, June 14 from 10am-4pm; Live Music from 12-2pm by Flo Anito! 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.

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 a 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: 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/

Call for Artists: Alexandria Art Market

Application due ASAP (accepted throughout the season). Join Del Ray Artisans in its 5th season of monthly outdoor art markets on the lawn area of the gallery. These markets give artists an opportunity to sell their original handmade artwork and provide them with consistent exposure to the community. There will be six monthly markets on the 2nd Saturday of the month (May through October) from 10am to 4pm, rain or shine. Sign up for space at one or more of the market dates. All area artists welcome to apply; Del Ray Artisans members have a reduced participation fee. Download the Application: 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.

• Advertising: Post our Events on assigned Online Calendars
  Post approved DRA publicity materials on a specific online calendar. Each volunteer will have one or two calendars to update; instructions will be given. Must have internet access. Contact Dawn at Technology@DelRayArtisans.org if you are interested.
• Adopt-a-Park: Pick Up Litter
  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
• 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.
• Curator Support: Join Our Team!
  Volunteer to assist a curator (hanging artwork, data entry / spreadsheets, distributing postcards, 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

Call for Entry: "MiniSolo" Opportunities at Touchstone Gallery

Digital application deadline: Tuesday, May 27 by midnight. During the month of August, Touchstone gallery will host a MiniSolos@Touchstone guest artist exhibit. This is an opportunity for area artists to have a “mini-solo” show in this contemporary gallery. Hung by Touchstone’s exhibitions team, work will be selected and presented to the best advantage of each participating artist. 38 spaces are available; acceptance determined by a committee of Touchstone artists. No entry fee; a $250 hanging fee must be paid by the accepted artist. Details at: www.touchstonegallery.com

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. $50 application fee; selected artists pay additional fees from $200-$305; gallery commission is 30% of sold work. Go to www.galleryunderground.org/our-mission/show-opportunities/ for details, 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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