Del Ray Artisans - Alexandria, VA

Artists, come celebrate the holidays in creative style! Members are invited to apply to this year’s Fine Art & Fine Crafts Holiday Market to be held December 2^nd and 3^rd in the DRA gallery. An application is enclosed in this newsletter. Jurors will select a maximum of 20 diverse artists in order to create an exciting holiday marketplace. The timing of the event will coincide with Del Ray’s Holiday on the Avenue featuring festive luminaries placed along “The Avenue” and annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony next door to the gallery.

The deadline for applications is Friday, October 20^th. All DRA members in good standing (Have you performed your annual volunteer hours yet?) are invited to apply. Artists who may not have a large inventory of their own are welcome to recruit another member to share a space. The application should be completed in both names with one artist designated as the contact. Last year the special evening Preview Reception was such a rousing success, we are doing it again for 2006! The event features seasonal libations, and will be held Friday, December 1^st, from 7–10 PM. Additionally the gallery will remain open late Saturday, December 2^nd, to welcome guests from the tree-lighting event.

A Bake Sale will be held in conjunction with the Market. Donations of baked goods, pre-priced and festively-presented will be gratefully accepted. Questions? Contact Theresa Kulstad tkulstad@verizon.net

Market participants will need to help with this exciting weekend: poster /postcard distribution, decorations. Other volunteers are needed for set-up, as gallery sitters and more (work off those volunteer hours!). Please contact Barb Boehm at 703.838.6265 or barbxb@yahoo.com.

The annual DRA elections will be held Tuesday, October 17 (7:30 PM). Mark your calendars and come to cast your vote. Refreshments will be served. A few board chairs remain open so if interested in serving on the 2007 board, contact Nominating Committee member Linda Elliff (LLElliff@aol.com or 703.360.1265).

Slate of Candidates (as of September 30)
PRESIDENT (Officer)                Susan Slattery
VICE PRESIDENT (Officer)         OPEN
SECRETARY (Officer)               Linda Elliff
TREASURER (Officer)               Marlin Lord
ASST. TREASURER (Officer)      Kathryn Brown
COMMUNICATIONS                  Daniel Wise
FACILITY (co-chairs)               Karen Schmitz & Ron Blank
FUNDRAISING (co-chairs)         OPEN
GALLERY COORDINATOR           OPEN
MEMBERSHIP (co-chairs)          Mara Burk & Jennifer Webb
OUTREACH                           Vicki Walchak & David Kosar
PROGRAMS (co-chairs)            Jamee Telford
VOLUNTEER                            Barb Boehm
HISTORIAN / ARCHIVIST           Kathe Graham
COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVE   OPEN

Stay tuned next month for the editing efforts of new WCW Editor and DRA member Daniel Wise! Articles for the Nov. WCW should be sent to: danlwise@verizon.net He will be joined by an enthusiastic new Mailing Diva - Jewell Lewis-Terry.

Our globe-trotting WCW Editor Dave Nicholson is “retiring” after many late-night hours spent editing WCW articles in hotel rooms across America and beyond. This is Dave’s “swan song” issue so please enjoy!

And there’s more - Mart Larson, Mailing Diva of many, many years, is “retiring” as well. Sincere and multiple Thank yous from all of us and rest well on ye laurels!

The Antics were in full swing for the month of September. The gallery was filled with a wide range of artwork by 60 of our members. We had sales transacted even before the Opening Reception started! And was it packed. We even did the first DRA video interview. Co-curators Paula Lantz and Kathryn Brown

were filmed by Roy Wright, virtuoso webmaster, who then posted the resulting video on the DRA website. The autumnally-themed flower bouquet by Royce Flowers was stunning. We would like to thank our members who pitched in above and beyond the call of duty (as 2 hours of sitting or other tasks are considered required, we are trying to only include those who did more, forgive us if we missed your name). Glynis Berger, Barb Boehm, Candace Clifford, Charlotte Landis, Cyndi Lederer and her boyfriend Adam, Donnalynne Lefever, Marlin Lord (gallant banner hanger), Brian Marquis (postcard designer), Kurt Peterson, Vivian Raveling, Marina Reiter, Debra Singleton, Fierce Sonia, Tally Tripp, Daniel Wise and Janice Yahres.

Also, a donated plate of hot appetizers was provided by our favorite “after reception” restaurant, Los Tios Grill! Many thanks!

If you missed the photo and article in the Sept. 14^th Alexandria Gazette Packet, check our copy in the gallery! To everyone who gave of themselves by volunteering, a big thank you! It’s times like these that make us love you all.

On October 14-15, Lisa St. Martin will bring her working glass studio to The DRA gallery for a two-day workshop. Each participant will have his own workstation. Torches, tools and glass will be provided.

Lisa happily welcomes all skill levels, however this will be an ideal setting for a beginner wanting to try their hand at this ancient craft with minimal investment. You’ll have the opportunity to practice shaping the glass beads, with tools (and gravity!), decorating your pieces with fine strands of contrasting colors applied as stripes or dots. As the weekend progresses you’ll become more proficient in moving the glass in the flame, forming the beads and blending colors.

As you gain confidence using the materials, you can start imagining and designing your own beads. Lisa will help you think through construction of your design for optimal success. The experienced student can work with Lisa one-on-one to learn more advanced skills and techniques, so come ready with your current challenges. If you’d appreciate some constructive criticism, bring samples of your work.

The workshop will take place on Saturday and Sunday, October 14-15, 2006 at the DRA gallery. 10 AM-5 PM. Fee is $185 for DRA members, $205 for non-members.

All materials will be provided, please bring a sack lunch. Maximum of 8 participants, pre-registration required. To register, contact Joan Ulrich at ulrichclay@aol.com or call Joan at 703.660.2382.

Know the feeling of having a great image, but not quite knowing how to get it published, credited, and make some bucks from it, all while protecting your rights?

Yes? Then come meet Keith Barraclough for a conversation all about business issues for photographers. This one-time session will be held on Saturday November 11^th, from 1-3 PM with plenty of time for group discussion afterwards. This event is free for DRA members, $20 for non-members. Barraclough has worked as a teacher and professional photographer for 17 years. As a freelance professional, he works for many editorial, corporate and commercial clients: The Washington Post Magazine, Time Out New York, Discovery Channel (Travel Channel, Animal Planet, Science Channel), Wolf Trap, The European Union and more! He presently teaches a photo business course at NOVA (Alexandria Campus). For more information visit: www.keithbarraclough.com

"Oh the Joy!!" of 25 children making art a-plenty at the 2006 Multi-Cultural DRA Art Camp! It was a pleasure to not only visualize but to teach and volunteer as well. Camper Fionna's mom Kate said "What a wonderful underrated value DRA's art camp is!".

Her daughter, as well as all the other campers “thrived” making everything she/they could get their creative hands on! Jasmine's mom was “thrilled” to have her daughter attend as a scholarship recipient. "She had a terrific time, much better than another camp experience she had….She just loved splashing in the pool too".

Del Ray Artisans extends a BIG THANKS to all who helped make this a BEST-ART- CAMP-EVER EXPERIENCE! And a very special thank you to Cynthia Lazo of Whole Foods in Alexandria for their $500 donation for healthy lunches for the campers. Also an Art-full THANKS to our scholarship donors: The Honorable Mayor William D. Euille, Community Partners for Children, Potomac West Business Association (Alice Kale Scholarship), Tom Teasley (and his corporate sponsors) and an anonymous donor.

Big Teacher and Volunteer Thanks to: Jen Athanas, Jill Aubry, Amoret Bunn, David Amoroso, Barbara Boehm, Juli Branson, Donna Carter, Megan Cook, Charlotte Corcoran, Sonia Covey, Jane DeWeerd, Dianna Diatz, Sue Dick, Amy Perlman Gura, Mary Cole Henshaw, David Kosar, Theresa Kulstad, Mary Lagnaoui, Liz Martinez, Debbie Mezzetta, Edith Sanabria, Karen Schmitz, Sara Sertic, Linda Silk, Susan Slattery, Ted Smouse, Susan Stayer, Jane Stockdale, Tom Teasley, Cheryl Vandermolen, Vicki Walchak, Toni Warren and all the other helping hands!

This year DRA members will again have the opportunity to create unique ornaments for sale during the Holiday Market. Artists will choose from a variety of wooden “blanks.” The finished ornaments will be displayed on an in-gallery holiday tree. Interested members may stop by DRA now to pick up ornaments or to select up to three ornaments. Ornaments are $1.00 each - payable at time of pick-up.

Final drop-off of ornaments: Thurs., November 30^th (6:30-8:00 PM). Ornaments must be delivered ready-to-hang. Bring your price list, we’ll provide the pricing labels.

We sadly bid adieu several months ago to Membership chair Courtney Brownewell, who relocated with her family to North Carolina (we’ll miss you!). Two DRA members, Mara Burke and Jennifer Webb have assumed the Membership Co-chair positions and will soon be delving into the task of keeping our members and our mailing lists updated and in order, along with other membership-related activities. If you are interested in serving on the Membership committee, please feel free to contact Mara (703.922.2030 / maraburk@hotmail.com) or Jennifer 703.323.0340 / MDJM5660@aol.com

In Memoriam

We are very sad to announce that DRA Treasurer Kathryn Brown's father passed away Wednesday, September 6^th. The Brown family has not specified any memorial funds, but DRA has received a generous donation from Mr. and Mrs. Charles (Bill and Pat) Rohrer as a memorial in honor of Mr. Bill Brown. The money will go to DRA’s Ted Eicher's Memorial Art Scholarship Fund.

Sept. 20 - Mar. 23, '07 Art in City Hall, Bi-Annual, Juried Exhibition

October 7-22                     Bead II / Juried exhibit /Barbara Brecher 703.548.2878
October 7                           Art on the Avenue (10 AM-6 PM)- Dance & art activities in the gallery
October 10                          Art in City Hall Opening Reception (5:00 - 6:45 PM)
October 10                         Board Meeting (7:00 PM)
October 13                                Opening reception (7-10PM) Bead It! 2
October 14-15                    Workshop "Lampwork glass with Lisa St. Martin"
October 17                         DRA Annual Meeting & Elections (7:30 PM)
October 27-Nov. 4               Dia de los Muertos workshops / event / exhibit
October 29                         Del Ray Halloween Parade (2:00 PM)

November 10–26                DR Dozen invitational photography exhibit/curator Rob Rudick 301.270.2323
November 11                       "Business Issues for Photographers" with Keith Barraclough (1-3:00 PM)
November 14                       Board Meeting (7:00 PM)
November 16                       Special Reception for Jim Hartmann, City Manager (7-9 PM)

December 1-3                      Fine Art & Fine Crafts Holiday Market / Juried
December 2                         Holiday on the Avenue - Tree Lighting & Luminaria Display (6:00 PM)December 8,9 & 10             Barnes & Noble BOOKFAIR & Ornament workshop
December 12                       Board Meeting (7:00 PM)

Following on the heels of the first very successful and well received Art in City Hall exhibit, the second show is off to a wonderful start! Again gracing the 2^nd floor of Alexandria's City Hall, 80 works hang thanks to countless hours of volunteer effort by many DRA members, and those of the other participating arts groups: The Art League, Springwater Fiber Workshop and the Torpedo Factory Artists. You should have received your postcard announcement by now -- please note that there is a correction (due to a last minute change...) the Opening Reception will actually start at 5:00. We look forward to seeing you there!

Along with 45,000 other art and music lovers, DRA is looking forward to the Art on the Avenue festival which takes place along Mt. Vernon Avenue! We will be open 10 AM-6 PM with Bead It!2 on display and “hands on” art activities for kids. Mask making is being considered and, from noon -1 PM, there will be exciting dance performances by the Choreographers Collaborative Project. If you are interested in leading an art activity or volunteering to assist (teens welcome) email Susan Slattery at summerh@erols.com or call 703.922.7290.

The Del Ray Citizens Association is seeking proposals for public art projects in the neighborhood in order to create a durable artistic contribution to the streetscape.

There will be no entry fee. Look for a detailed design call available soon at the DRA gallery, or contact Pat Miller at pmiller1806@comcast.net.

Opportunities are available with the City of Alexandria for qualified instructors of Music, Theatre, Dance, and Visual Art. Sessions cover a max 4-10 weeks and may cover four quarters. Instructors will be self-employed contractors and not City of Alexandria employees.

And as a follow-up to new members you should received information packet from our credit union, CommonWealth One Federal Credit Union. Suzanne Waltmeyer will be happy to answer your questions. Please call her at 703.236.7635.

Membership in DRA is a great deal! Not only do you get to meet Del Ray's coolest people, but we bring you real benefits that no other arts organization can/does offer. If your membership has expired or you are reading this free copy of the Well Crafted Word, please drop a check in the mail to renew your membership or join the fun.

Welcome New Membership Co-Chairs

In Memoriam