Del Ray Artisans - Alexandria, VA

On the evening of Tuesday, October 18^th, annual elections for the Officers and Directors of the Del Ray Artisans will be held. The meeting begins at 7:30 PM with elections to be held followed by a short business meeting. Dinner will be served.

Several speakers will report on the State of the Corporation, summarize the past year and comment on the direction and plans going forward.

Members interested in having specific questions addressed should forward their questions, before October 15^h, to the Communications chair, Dave Nicholson, at either 703.578.6471 or f8photog@yahoo.com.

If you are unable to attend the meeting, please support DRA by voting via a Proxy Ballot. Complete the requested information, mail or deliver your ballot to 2210 Mt. Vernon Ave. Alexandria VA 22301 before 5:00 PM on October 17^th.

Enclosed is a Proxy Ballot that may be mailed. The form is also available at www.delrayartisans.org.

Slate of Candidates

PRESIDENT (Officer)                      Susan Slattery
VICE PRESIDENT (Officer)        Laurel Lukaszewski
SECRETARY (Officer)                         Linda Elliff
TREASURER (Officer)                         Marlin Lord
ASST. TREASURER (Officer)           Kathryn Brown
COMMUNICATIONS                      Dave Nicholson FACILITY                                     Karen Schmitz
FUNDRAISING (co-chair)                Julie Branson MEMBERSHIP (co-chairs)    Courtney Brownewell
                                                 Catherine Bott
OUTREACH                                      Linda Silk PROGRAMS (co-chairs             Theresa Kulstad
                                                       Joan Ulrich
   VOLUNTEER                            Vivienne Lukacs   HISTORIAN / ARCHIVIST       Charlotte Corcoran
COMMUNITY/CORP. REPRESENTATIVE OPEN

As the horrors of this hurricane season have unfolded, the DRA Board has been mindful of the misery visited on the people of the Gulf coast.

Last year DRA solicited funds for an Adopt-a-family project during the holiday season. True to form, our members opened their hearts and wallets by making generous donations which were used to assist one family. We are especially proud that in addition to the money donated, several members contributed equally valuable volunteer time to the effort. Every dollar donated went to the family, AND no funds from DRA were used in the program. 100% payout and zero financial impact to DRA!! Wow!!

We are announcing this year's campaign with a bit of a twist. The Board has decided to search out and provide assistance to a sister arts organization in the Gulf area affected by Katrina. We want to offer help to rebuild, restock, resupply or rejuvenate an organization similar in nature to DRA.

We are also discussing offering gallery space and/or mounting an exhibit of works by artists from the damaged area, possibly New Orleans. Additional research is underway to identify and contact a sister arts organization. Please make a tax-deductible contribution to the Adopt-an-arts Family fund today. All artists and those who appreciate art can shudder at the thought of what "could" happen "if.”

Mail your contributions, payable to Del Ray Artisans, to 2210 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Alexandria VA 22301. Mark the envelope Adopt-an-arts Family. If you wish to donate via credit card, contact Assistant Treasurer Kathryn Brown at 703.549.5227. A receipt will be mailed to those paying by credit card.

Snowmen, Christmas trees, wreaths and Ho! Ho! Ho!s were in the balmy air at the Carpenter's Shelter, Alexandria’s main shelter for the homeless, September 8^th and 15^th, DRA's Karen Schmitz and new member Joan Ulrich hosted two art-making evenings for the children living in the facility. Over 20 youngsters, ranging in age from 6 to 16, learned painting and printmaking techniques. They then created original holiday images for a packaged holiday card fundraiser to benefit the Shelter. The range of work was intriguing and colorful. “One girl even made some ‘lucky holiday dice’,” said Schmitz.

Jasmine Witcher, the Shelter’s Volunteer Coordinator, sent the following to organizer Karen Schmitz: “Many thanks to you and the Del Ray Artisans for working with our children to create some really great artwork. You really know how to bring out their artistic talents! Again, we can't thank you enough for coming out not once but twice to allow us to get the best possible artwork for our cards.”

Schmitz had some comments of her own: "The kids were a pure joy! I thank them for showing me the magic a lil' paint and time spent can make in their eyes.”

Other “art elves” included DRA member Randy Scheessele and his brother Eric, Laura "Cousin" Parker and Alexandria Volunteer Bureau's Alison Bell, as well as several Shelter volunteers. Please look for these special holiday cards to be available for purchase in the near future. More DRA members can experience the joy of making a difference in a child’s life as future art projects at the Shelter are being planned for early 2006. Contact Karen to get in on the fun: 703.317.9340.

The Washington Woodworkers Guild and Del Ray Artisans once again present an exciting collaborative art effort coming up in November 2005. The juried exhibit, curated by Martin Angebranndt, which opens Friday, November 4^th with a reception from 7-10 PM, is a two-part endeavor. Washington Wood 2005 showcases the work of twenty talented woodworkers, their carvings, turnings and period furniture. Still Life, Landscape and Other Perspectives features a 2D works by ten DRA members.

The exhibit will be open Saturdays (10-4 PM) and Sundays (12-4 PM), and will run through November 27^th. Don’t miss this one – 2003’s show was a knock out!

As part of membership in DRA, artists are allowed to showcase their work twice a year in an All Member Show. September heralded the fall show and was representative of the quality of work produced by DRA members.

Over 124 works by 63 artist-members were on display. A wide range of art was displayed...and sold... during the show. A memorable moment happened on First Thursday, September 1^st, when several members got to see the pure elation on new member Kimberly Tyler's face as she sold her first work of art, "Phlox subulata".

Hurricane Katrina relief was on the minds of several artists. A heartfelt touch was added when Theresa Kulstad added a wall tag to postcard cover art "Shortened Days" and her horse painting, stating that proceeds would be donated to Hurricane Katrina programs.

DRA added a donation jar with proceeds going towards an arts organization in need.

Big kudos to volunteers Laurel Lukaszewski and Joan Ulrich for their help with hanging work as well as painting the display cubes. Thanks go to Royce Flowers for the deep caramel-colored urn filled with the autumn colors of tiger lilies and cattail. Additional show help praise goes to Kathryn Brown, Susan Slattery, Karen Schmitz, Leslie Wilder, Vivienne Lukacs, and Christopher Wright.

DRA also welcomed the works of 13 shiny new members: Catherine Bott, Courtney Brownewell, Glenna and Seanna Gallagher, Deborah Gibson, Kay Graf, Rosemary Herman, Lucy Johnson, Melanie Jones, Angela Maray, Leanna Lanier, Cathy Messina, D.B.Propert, and Grazia Zalfa

Do you need images of your work for your portfolio, juried exhibit submissions or web site posting?

DRA is considering providing this service. We would photograph each work, providing 5 original slides plus a CD with a tiff and jpg file of the works. Price per piece for DRA members - $25, non-members - $30. Non-members may elect to become members at the time of the photo session, and would then pay the member rate. In order to offer this service, we need to gauge interest in it. There needs to be enough participating artists to set up a schedule in which the photographer(s) can work continuously for at least a 3 hour period. Photography would take place in the DRA gallery.

If you are interested in this service, please email Dave Nicholson at fphotog@yahoo.com.

Artists, come celebrate the holidays in creative style! After ten successful years, we are pleased to invite members to apply to this year’s NEW Fine Art & Fine Crafts Holiday Market to be held December 3^rd and 4^th in the DRA gallery. An application is enclosed.

The Holiday committee will select a diverse group of 20 artists who will represent the many talents of our members, in order to create a cohesive and exciting holiday marketplace The timing of the event will coincide with Del Ray’s Holiday on the Avenue which will feature strolling performers, festive luminaries along “The Avenue” and the annual Christmas tree lighting next door to the gallery. The deadline for applications is Friday, October 21, so be sure to send in your application if you wish to be considered. All current DRA members are invited to apply. New members are welcome too!

NEW for 2005 will be a special evening Preview Reception featuring seasonal libations, to be held Friday, December 2^nd, from 7–10 PM. Additionally, the gallery will remain open late Saturday, December 3^rd, 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. Details will follow in the November newsletter, but Theresa Kulstad is happy to answer any questions in advance. Email tkulstad@verizon.net and/or call 703.283.0399.

If you are interested in volunteering for our exciting holiday weekend, we are looking for help with poster /postcard distribution, decorations, bake sale staff, gallery sitters and more. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Laurel Lukaszewski by email at laurelsl@hotmail.com.

Hey, where did you get that cool T-shirt?

This is the kind of buzz Del Ray Artisans members love to hear when people catch a glimpse of a member-designed T-shirt! Enter our “I Want a Cool DRA T-Shirt Contest!” by designing an Artisans’ T for 2006! We are seeking zippy, in November’s newsletter. A special prize awaits the winner of the design contest too!

Deadline for entries: February 10^th, 2006 This is in anticipation of premiering the design at the Spring All Member show in April. So get started now on an award-winning design! Contact Karen Schmitz at 703.317.9340 or schmityk@yahoo.com original fun ‘n-funky designs which will have people saying "I want!" Watch for the “Cool T” call for entry.

This year, DRA members will have the opportunity to create unique ornaments for sale during the Holiday

Market! Artists will choose from a variety of wooden “blanks” selected by the Market committee. Examples include snowflakes, snowmen, stars, etc. The finished ornaments will be displayed on an in-gallery holiday tree.
Interested members may stop by DRA as early as Saturday, October 1^st to select up to three ornaments ($1ea., payable at time of pick-up). Final drop-off of ornaments: Thurs., Dec. 1^st (6:30-8:30 PM). Ornaments must be delivered ready-to-hang. Bring your price list, we’ll provide the pricing labels. Holiday tree “elves” needed to help with display of the ornaments, please contact Susan Slattery at summerh@erols.com.

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:
Dr. Oswald Durant Memorial Center
1605 Cameron Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

And as a follow-up to the mailing you should have received 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.

Slide service

Hey, where did you get that cool T-shirt?

In-gallery Holiday tree will feature artists’ Ornaments