Del Ray Artisans News
since 1992
March 2006 VOLUME 14 ISSUE 3
| In This Issue |
Art Camp instructors-Bring it on!!
DRA Art in City Hall
Spring All member show headed
your way
Hit me with your best
shot-Planet Cupid
Call for entry Annual Spring Sale
A volunteer for all
time-Vivienne Lukacs
Huey Lewis
says, "I want a new...T-shirt design!"
2006-07 Calendar of Events
Thank you for the Eichers
fund donations
Virginia
Commission for the Arts-grant review panelists
Member news
Visual & Performing Arts
Teachers Wanted
Member benefits
DEL RAY ARTISANS NEWS
Contributors this month include: Kathryn Brown, Linda Silk, Rob Rudick, Karen Schmitz, Susan Slattery and Dave Nicholson.
Many thanks to our monthly sponsor:
Royce Flowers -
lovely arrangements seen at every opening.
Thanks to the Alexandria Commission for the Arts for their continuing support.
Edited by: Dave
Nicholson
Submission deadline-20th
of month preceding
e.g. (3/20 for April)
email to:
NEWSLETTER
EDITOR
Web Curator: Roy
Wright
EMAIL SUGGESTIONS AND COMMENTS
Once we receive your information we will begin sending you new exciting information about us once it becomes available.
WCW ARCHIVES
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004
September 2004
August 2004
July 2004
June 2004
May 2004
Art Camp instructors-Bring it on!!
Del Ray Artisans Art Camp
needs teachers for a creative program for kids 9-15 years old. Art Camp is
scheduled for July 24-28 and is looking to fill 7-10 paid teaching positions. If
you were those 
ages now, what
art classes and projects would you want to get your energetic hands on?
Contact us now with your ideas, skills and projects, so we can prepare a “kid-tastik" Art Camp curriculum for publication. Linda Silk at lmsilk@worldnet.att.net / 703.533.7689 or Karen Schmitz at schmityk@yahoo.com or 703.317.9340.
DRA, in collaboration with the City, The Art League and the Alexandria Commission for the Arts (ACA), acted on a Mayoral initiative to promote the arts in Alexandria by joining in the inaugural Art in City Hall exhibit. In what is promised to be an on-going rotation of art in public spaces, a joint exhibition was installed in City Hall. It runs February –July 21. The exhibit is open to the public Monday–Friday, 8 am–5pm, and Saturdays from 9 am–noon, closed on holidays.
Planned and executed in a short time period, the original committee was brought together by Janet Barnett, Deputy Director of the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities, and consisted of City staff, Betsy Anderson, chair of the ACA’s Public Art committee, Marlin Lord and Kathryn Brown from DRA, and Linda Hafer and Bridget Walsh of The Art League.
Assistance was provided by The Art League staff, their volunteers, and dedicated volunteers from DRA including Barbara Boehm, Gretchen Brodtman, Courtney Brownewell, Barbara Chiminello, Jane DeWeerd, David Fromm, Paula Lantz, Vivienne Lukacs, Dave Nicholson, Karen Schmitz, Linda Silk, Amy Slack, and Susan Slattery.
The City provided for professional installation, printing and hosted a lovely reception. Both DRA and The Art League are jointly supplying the funds for the monetary Awards: Best in Show $250, 2nd Place $150, and 3rd Place $100.
The juror, well-respected Washington artist M.V. Clark, is founder and currently co-director of the Museum of Contemporary Art in D.C. His paintings are held in prestigious collections including the Corcoran and the National Gallery of Art. Mr. Clark selected 135 pieces from the 265 submitted, choosing the works destined for awards and honorable mentions. DRA award winners are: 3rd Place - Donna Carter, with Honorable Mentions to Jen Chappell, Cathy Messina, Gaetano Rando, and Karen Schmitz.
The exhibit is being well-received by both City personnel and visitors to City Hall. It has, and will continue to, raise the visibility of DRA by reaching new audiences in our community. Help support DRA and art in Alexandria by visiting the show, telling a friend, and perhaps even thanking the Mayor!
Spring All member show headed your way
Spring will be sprung early with the Del Ray Artisans’ All Member Show opening on Friday, March 31st. Rites of Spring will showcase the blossoming and full bloom talents of DRA's creative membership. Call for entry is included in this newsletter. Curator contacts for this show: Karen Schmitz 7703.317.9340 or Susan Slattery summerh@erols.com.
Work in all mediums will be presented March 31 through April 23. Drop-off of artwork will be Sunday, March 26 (4-6 pm) and Monday, March 27 (6-8 pm). Don’t miss this, as the next all member show will be in September.
One MORE April event to look forward to:
1) Member Leslie Rousseau’s Master’s thesis exhibit From the Edge, April 28-30 following DRA’s Spring show. Show opening: Friday, April 28 (7-10 pm).
Hit me with your best shot-Planet Cupid
Love was in the air and one could hear the "ooohs" and "aaahhs" when people saw the DRA gallery decked out for Planet Cupid. Someone coined it "the Jetsons-meet-the- Sweetheart-Dance!" The cool lounge effect was created through the collective brains and energies of Debbie Mezzetta and Charlotte Corcoran with the help of so many volunteers that it would take up too much space to print! We thank you all! We also thank the record number of card making participants who created almost 200 valentine cards the weeks leading up to Cupid. Visitors orbited the gallery viewing one-of-a-kind arty Valentine cards, handmade jewelry, customized underwear, pottery, bookmarks and candles. Fabulous chocolates by Jason Andelman of "Artisan Confections" were a big hit with art lovers who bought every box of the exotic treats which feature the works of local artists on each delicious bite!
And speaking of chocolate....Susan Slattery and Juli Branson put together a beautiful array of goodies to be dipped through the amazing and aromatic chocolate fountain. The hot raffle item was a "basket of pleasures" that made the winner both blush and smile. It all set the tone for a wonderful Valentine's celebration. Theresa Kulstad would like to thank her committee of Juli Branson, Angela Calos, Charlotte Corcoran, Linda Elliff, Vivienne Lukacs, Debbie Mezzetta, Patti North-Rudin, Karen Schmitz, and Susan Slattery, along with ALL of the volunteers who helped her with this fundraiser.
Call for entry Annual Spring Sale
The
third annual Spring Art Sale is scheduled for Saturday, May 6 (10am-4pm)
in Colasanto Park which adjoins the gallery. Building on the success of the
past two years, we need your participation to make this happen. It’s a great
opportunity to display your new creations as well as clear out your
studio of artwork in need of a
new home. All participants must be members of Del Ray Artisans, and all work
sold must be created by the artist. Complete the
enclosed insert to sign up for the Art Sale.
Questions, contact Rob Rudick at
301.270.2323 or
robrudick@yahoo.com. Artists must provide their own shelters
and tables as this is a rain or shine event. So pray for sun!
A few spaces are smaller and do not require shelters. Artists may share a booth. Space may be limited, so respond early. We are looking for a diversity of mediums. A fee of $35 plus 10% of sales is required. A few volunteers are needed to help with the sale and to design a poster for the event.
A
volunteer for all time-Vivienne Lukacs
As we went to press we received notice that one of our championship Board Chairs, Vivienne Lukacs is resigning.
As Vivienne Lukacs steps down from the DRA Board of Directors, the words "THANK YOU" should be ten feet tall when describing all the hard work and dedication Viv has contributed to the Del Ray Artisans during her 8 years on the Board as Volunteer Chair. A DRA member since 1996, she mentions among her many accomplishments the three times she served as Furniture committee co-chair with DRA’s bi-annual OFFBEAT Auction. "That was my favorite! I really loved working with the furniture."
Truthfully, Viv has probably had her hands on everything that DRA has ever done! This would include Art Camp, Art on the Avenue, the Farmers Market, dozens of exhibits and fundraisers, Durwin Rice’s decoupage workshops and, of course, recruiting hundreds of volunteers. "She got me," says Karen Schmitz "as I painted a yellow bug chair for the OFFBEAT Auction!"
Busy Viv hopes to have a little more time to enjoy some of her loves: her husband Richard of 53 years, her four children + six grandkids (3 big / 3 small), her new beach condo, the Divas of Decoupage and Alice Kale's watercolor class. So, when you see the DRA dynamo at the next DRA event, please give her a big hug, a thank you and tell her these four magic words which will make her day: "I WANT TO VOLUNTEER!"
Huey Lewis says, "I want a new .......... T-shirt design!"
The "I WANT A COOL DRA T-SHIRT CONTEST" has been extended and, yes, s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d to a final submission date of Sunday, April 9. Several delightful entries have been received, but more are needed for this creative cotton competition. Designs should have a strong visual image. The words “Del Ray Artisans” do not have to appear on your (color or b/w) original design, but the DRA logo and/or web address may be added later.
The winner will receive a week's
worth (7) of cotton T-shirts featuring the winning design. The contest is open
to everyone and multiple entries are encouraged. Original designs can be dropped
off or mailed to:
Del Ray Artisans’ T-Shirt Contest
2704 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22301
Designs in electronic formats (JPEGs, GIFs or PDFs) can be sent to Dave
Nicholson
f8photog@yahoo.com
and Karen Schmitz
schmityk@yahoo.com.
Questions, call Karen at 703.317.9340.
March 3-26 Mi Casa, Su Casa -Springwater Fiber & DRA /Juried
March 13 Del Ray Citizens Association Meet ‘n Greet (7:30 PM)
March 14 Board Meeting (7:00 PM)
Mar. 31-April 23 Rites of Spring- Spring All Member Show
April 11 Board Meeting (7:00 PM)
April 15 Farmer’s Market opens
April 28-30 From the Edge - Master’s thesis exhibit - Leslie Rousseau
May 4 1st 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 1st Thursday (6-9 PM) – Luau on the Avenue theme
June 9–July
16 Abstract Art / Juried
exhibit / curator Laurel Lukaszewski
703.837.0543
June 13 Board Meeting (7:00 PM)
July 6 1st Thursday (6-9 PM) – Red, White & Blue theme
July 11 Board Meeting (7:00 PM)
July 24–28 Art Camp / T. Kulstad, K. Schmitz & L. Silk
August 3 1st Thursday (6-9 PM) - Fashionistas theme
August 4 -27 3 Artist show – 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 1st 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
2007
January 6 Elvis Birthday Party fundraiser
Thank you for the Eichers fund donations
Several donations have been made to the Ted Eichers Memorial Art Scholarship Fund. Some of these have been in Doris Lockard's name, to commemorate our dear former Membership Director. An additional donation was received in the name of Helen A. Lord, made by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Rohrer to honor the passing of Marlin Lord's mother, who turned 90 on January 2nd, 2006. She lost a fortunately brief battle on January 30th. Helen Lord was an accomplished poet and artist. Further donations are gratefully appreciated. Make checks payable to the Del Ray Artisans, noting "Eichers Fund" and your chosen sentiments.
Virginia Commission for the Arts-grant review panelists
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 25th from 3-5:00 PM. All are welcome to attend.
Public Art Project initiative in Del Ray
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.
Visual & Performing Arts Teachers Wanted
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:
Dr. Oswald Durant Memorial Center
1605 Cameron Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
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.