Del Ray Artisans - Alexandria, VA

The DRA Art Camp (July 24-28) will feature an exciting multicultural element this year. The Multi-Cultural Art Camp Odyssey is for kids ages 9-15 and will present a probable curriculum of the following classes:

Scholarships for campers are also available. Volunteers are needed to assist teachers and students. Fun will be had by all during this week-long art adventure! This is a rewarding, educational opportunity for DRA members to fulfill their yearly volunteer hours (10) requirement while learning and giving at the same time. Lunch and swimming with the campers is an added benefit. For more information, contact Linda Silk 703.533.7689 or lmsilk@worldnet.att.net

Whether you make photographs, collages or paintings, your work isn’t complete until it’s properly framed and ready to hang. As artists we all have the challenge of presenting our work to its best advantage, and there’s no denying that a great framing choice can make your artwork really sing. Sadly, this skill is often overlooked, and framing can easily feel overwhelming when we’re faced with all the options!

Fellow DRA members Thilys Araujo and Stephany Wright, owners of Del Ray’s custom framing gallery Artifacts, Inc., will lead a 2-hour workshop Sunday, April 9, 11-1:00 PM, demystifying everything an artist should know about matting and framing. They will discuss ways to cut costs, review examples of good and bad framing choices and the aesthetic consequences of each.

Birds, bees, flowers and ...the hoppin' bunny all on a bed of the freshest green grass grace the "Rites of Spring" All Member Show postcard designed by co-curators Karen Schmitz and Susan Slattery with graphic designer Brian Marquis. From March 31 to April 23 the gallery will burst with our members’ talents. The show opening will be Friday, March 31 (7-10 pm).

A poetry reading by M. Magnus will be presented at the reception. This will be a stimulating preview of the citywide Yockadot Poetics Theater Festival which is M is organizing for Spring of 2007. DRA will be involved in the Festival, so stay tuned for more details.

April ends with an exciting Master's thesis show by Leslie Rousseau. Her "From the Edge" exhibit will be on display April 28-30, with an opening reception Friday, April 28 (7-10pm).

Leslie earned a BFA from the University of Michigan. Her thesis exhibition is part of her work for a Masters Degree from Virginia Commonwealth. Currently she teaches art at her alma mater, T.C. Williams High School.

Rousseau is an abstract painter who says of her work, “It is how I connect to what is too large, too vague, or too personally meaningful to express in any other way.” Space and its transformation by light and color, with an emphasis upon spatial ambiguity, are central to her images.

Her art is the place where “I acknowledge the cracks in the ice and where I try to keep from falling through when the ground opens up. Shifting planes are where I try to keep my balance while peeking through the cracks and over the edge.”

It’s true that we can all set up a still life at home and paint on our own. But it’s much more fun to get together, combining items to create different set-ups.

A small but intrepid group of DRA artists did just that during one week in February. The gallery was turned into Still Life Central. While artists painted, ideas and energy flowed, advice was given and taken.

If you are interested in helping to arrange regular nights of still life painting at the gallery, email Joan Ulrich at ulrichclay@aol.com

Over President’s Day weekend, DRA hosted a life drawing marathon at the gallery. Each day six models sat from 10 am until 8 pm giving artists ample opportunity to create drawings, paintings, and even a small clay model or two.

A great mix of participants attended: ages ranged from high school students to seniors, including both members and non-members. Michele Reday Cook and Joan Ulrich, who organized the weekend, promise to find a way to continue to offer life drawing on a regular basis at the DRA gallery. Stay tuned!

Everyone felt right at home at the 2006 DRA and Springwater Fiber’s collaborative show, Mi Casa, Su Casa. Artists from both groups converted the gallery into a warm and welcoming place. Artists (58!) from every media displayed over 100 works, inspiring everyone on how art makes a house a home. The highlight of the opening reception was the “Apprentice – Weaving Style” competition. 50 artists competed on Del Ray Artisans’ and Springwater Fiber’s teams to produce two unique art pieces, which collectively raised several hundred dollars in a silent auction that ran through the end of the end of the show. Proceeds will benefit Red Cross Katrina Relief efforts.

Ultimately, Springwater won the weaving competition “by the tiniest margin,” with DRA slated to provide the refreshments at SFW’s next board meeting. However, say Mi Casa’s curators, SFW will “forgo the feast.” They have requested that DRA add the cost of the treats to the Katrina Relief fund!

Co-curators Randy Scheessele and Maybelle Taylor Bennett would like to thank Karen Schmitz, Susan Slattery, Linda Silk, Marlin Lord, Kathryn Brown, Theresa Kulstad, Linda Hurt, Sylvia DeMar, Ann Liddle, and Yvette Thomas for all of their help with this show.

If you haven't done so already, mark your calendars for the Del Ray Artisans Spring Sale, which is being held on Saturday, May 6th, from 10 am to 4pm. The sale will feature your fellow Del Ray Artisans selling an array of painting, photography, jewelry, pottery, embroidery, stained glass, and wearable sculpture. The Sale will take place in Colasanto Park, adjoining the gallery.

There are a couple of slots still available, if you'd like to participate. Contact Rob Rudick, robrudick@yahoo.com, 301.270.2323 for information.

First Thursdays are held the first Thursday of each month, 6-9:00 PM, May-September, along Mt. Vernon Avenue in the Del Ray neighborhood. Businesses and community groups feature free entertainment and other activities. Don’t miss these mini-street festivals! If you would like to help with First Thursdays, contact 703.836.2176 or mail@AlexandriaVolunteers.com .

Mar. 31-April 23                    Rites of Spring - Spring All Member Show – curators Schmitz & Slattery
               April 9                                     Presentation Possibilities framing overview(11 AM-1 PM)
                April 11                                  Board Meeting (7:00 PM)
                April 15                                  Farmer’s Market opens
                April 21                                  CANCELLED Rites of Spring Toga Party & Dance
                April 28-30                            From the Edge - Master’s thesis exhibit - Leslie Rousseau

May 4                                     1^st Thursday (6-9 PM) – Munchkins on the Avenue theme
                May 6                                     Spring Art Sale (10 AM-4 PM)/ organizer Rob Rudick 301.270.2323
                May 9                                      Board Meeting (7:00 PM)
                May 12-28                            Student Art Show / organizer Linda Silk
                May 16                                   DRA General Meeting (7:30 PM)

June 1                                    1^st Thursday (6-9 PM) – Luau on the Avenue theme
                June 9–July 16                     Abstract Art / Juried exhibit
                June 13                                   Board Meeting (7:00 PM)

July 6                                      1^st Thursday (6-9 PM) – Red, White & Blue theme
                July 11                                   Board Meeting (7:00 PM)
                July 24–28                            Art Camp / K. Schmitz & L. Silk

August 3                                1^st Thursday (6-9 PM) - Fashionistas theme
                August 4 -27                         3 Artists– Lukacs, Kulstad & Silk
         August 8                                Board Meeting (7:00 PM)
                August 15                              DRA Annual Pool Party (6:00 PM), General Meeting & Pie Baking contest

September 7                          1^st Thursday (6-9 PM) - Chew on the Avenue theme
                Sept. 8–Oct. 1                      Fall All Member Show
                September 9-10                    Alexandria Festival of the Arts
                Sept. 12                                  Board Meeting (7:00 PM)

October 6-22                       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                             Board Meeting (7:00 PM)
                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 PM)

November 10-26                   DR Dozen invitational photography exhibit curator Rob Rudick 301.270.2323
                November 14                        Board Meeting (7:00 PM)
                November                             Photography workshop

December 1-3                      Fine Art & Fine Crafts Holiday Market / Juried
         December 2                         Holiday on the Avenue - Tree Lighting & Luminaria Display (6:00 PM)
                December 12                       Board Meeting (7:00 PM)
                December                             Cookie Swap / Ornament workshop

Opportunities for artists

Sunday, April 30 -Titan Expo 2006's Art on the Green (12-5 pm) – pmiller1806@comcast.net or 703.683.2570. Held behind Chinquapin Park Recreation Center.

Saturday & Sunday, May 13 & 14 -26^th Annual Old Town Fine Art & Crafts Fair sponsored by the Alexandria Volunteer Bureau, 75+ artists, live music & food at Market Square in the heart of Old Town, mail@AlexandriaVolunteers.com or 703.836.2176.

Saturday, June 10 - Arts in the Alley, Purcellville, VA (10-5 pm); $25 fee for judging 3 works-digital photos only. Questions: artists@artsinthealley.org

The Virginia Commission for the Arts is looking for grant review panelists for FY 06-07. Anyone interested will need to attend 1-2 days of meetings in late April and have read the grants prior to the meetings.

For more information see the Commission's website at www.arts.virginia.gov or contact Peggy Baggett, Executive Director at 804.225.3132.

Member news

DRA member Sue Murray is exhibiting her photography at The Charles Sumner School, Museum and Archives, 1201 17th St., NW, Washington, DC from January 12 - June 23. Contact Sue for more details at dsm514@yahoo.com.

DRA member Richard F. Wyvill is having a solo exhibit of recent works at the Fisher Art Gallery in the Schlesinger Center at NVCC, 3001 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria. The exhibition runs from March 20 - April 29, with a reception held Saturday, March 25^th from 3-5:00 PM. All are welcome to attend.

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.

Submit letters of interest and qualification statements to: harold.little@alexandriava.gov or mail to:

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.