Del Ray Artisans News
...................since 1992

Elvis Birthday Dance Party  Saturday, January 8th

ALOHA ELVIS! Get your tiki on with the Del Ray Artisans, Saturday, January 8th, 2005, 8 PM to midnight!
   It’s a Birthday Dance Party and Art Exhibit (Jan. 8-30) honoring the King's 70th to be held at the Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mt.Vernon Avenue in Alexandria (703.838.4827) , featuring the swingin’ tunes of The Hula Monsters. Check out their site, www.hulamonsters.com.
   Admission is $15 at the door (no advance ticket sales), and includes the live music and a spread of tempting, tropical fare. Along with the great artwork and entertainment, guests may choose to enjoy world-famous beverages concocted by Master of Mixology David Chan and his wife, Anna, former owners of The Honolulu Restaurant which sadly closed in the  Spring of 2004.
   David and Anna will be shaking it up all evening long and will also be selling their Time2Tiki merchandise, www.time2tiki.com, donating a portion of the proceeds to the Del Ray Artisans.
   So banish the winter chill, put on your grass skirt or come dressed in the “Elvis Way.” For more information, visit www.delrayartisans.org or contact Team Tiki at summerh@erols.com
   Also, check out the latest work of web-guru, Roy Wright, who has made music for our ears at www.delrayartisans.org.
   There, under the January event tab, you will be able to hear the soothing sounds of The Hula Monsters’ Cats Island. Yummy music for our Elvis event.
   Many thanks to the Hulas for allowing us to use this track!

Adopt-A-Family huge success

   The DRA Adopt-a-Family drive got off to a very late start but finished with a huge bang. All thanks to the enormous outpouring of generosity and holiday spirit of our members and the friends of DRA.
   In a little less than 14 days we collected in excess of $768. Over $240 came from the sales of baked goods during the Holiday Arts & Craft Show and Sale. The remainder was donated from members and friends of DRA. Additionally, one member assembled a large basket of fruit and healthy teas.
   The basket and gift checks were delivered to the designated family before Christmas with the best wishes and warm thoughts of the entire DRA family. Special thanks to Charlotte Corcoran, Theresa Kulstad, Linda Silk and Ellyn Ferguson for their efforts.

February
House of Cards Show

  Cards Galore will be featured at the February "House Of Cards Show". The February 4^th opening runs from 7:00-10:00 PM and will feature handmade cards with all the elements of imagination available. Cards are for sale until February 27.
  Card-making artists will use many techniques including stamping, collaging, decoupaging, painting, sewing, drawing as well as mixed media and 3D elements.
   Cards will be themed not just for Valentine's Day but birthdays and the popular "All Occasion.”
   There will be two Sunday Card-making Parties, January 16th & 23rd. Curator Karen Schmitz can be reached at 703.317.9340 or schmityk@yahoo.com

Santa visits DRA kitchen

   Imagine our surprise when DRA was visited by Santa, albeit a little early. The big guy was lugging a super-duper new microwave! Oh thank you, thank you, thank you from all the little kitchen gnomes who regularly need to use a nuker during openings.
   The gift really was from Del Ray’s community organizer and impresario, Pat Miller. Just her way of thanking DRA for our past help with all things Del Ray-Art on the Avenue, First Thursdays, the Salvation Army food Pantry. We appreciate the thought and the gift, Pat!

  A small but dedicated group have been diligently working to complete revising and refining the draft of the By-Laws that were prepared several months ago. Meetings and discussions have ensued for months.
   It appears an end is in sight. The Board is expected to vote on the By-Laws draft at the February Board meeting. The next step is for DRA members to vote at the General Meeting, scheduled for February 15^th. We need your vote or proxy, contact Secretary, Stacy Block at 703.283.4832  or stacy@bluedotcreations.com for a proxy ballot form.

Salvation Army food drive another success

   Just a little self-congratulatory pat on the back for each of you who made a donation to the Salvation Army Food Pantry Drive.Again, DRA members and guests stepped up and made this another very successful endeavor.
   A heartfelt thank you to everyone who thought of those in the community who could use a little help. We now have been the collection, drop-off site for the past two Salvation Army drives.
    What this says loud and clear is that DRA CARES!! Thank you, everyone.

2005 Calendar of Events Click Here

   Be watching for a special mailing from Commonwealth One Federal Credit Union describing services available to Del Ray Artisans members.  Credit Unions are not open to the public so these services are only available to DRA members. If you do not receive this mailing, please let us know by e-mailing or calling the DRA Treasurer (see contact info on the sidebar located on this page)

   Did you know that DRA has a small lending library? There are a number of books on the arts and technique that may be checked out for use. Next time you’re in the gallery, ask to be directed to the library area.

It’s not too late for a tax deduction

   As you complete your year-end tax planning, remember you have until January 31, 2005, if you wish to make a charitable donation.
   You may make a donation to be used for general DRA activities or you may designate your donation to be added to our scholarship endowment fund, the Ted Eichers Memorial Scholarship Fund. In either instance you will be able to deduct the full amount of your donation on your 2004 tax return.
   As DRA enters it 14^th year, our commitment to our community continues to grow and expand. Read about our support for the Salvation Army food pantry and our first ever Adopt-A-Family drive elsewhere in this issue. These are sponsorships and do not use any DRA funds, only donations from caring members.
   This is in addition to our sponsorship of the children’s’ summer Art Camp, ongoing art exhibits, special sponsorships, like the Shelley A. Marshall Foundation and multiple collaborations with other Alexandria, Virginia and/or regional arts groups.
  Together, with your financial support, we have continued to be a fresh voice for the arts as well as a conduit for educating and entertaining not only gallery visitors but the community as a whole.
   A very much appreciated donation of $500 was received during the howlingly successful Mask-scara event from Annandale patrons. Additionally, an anonymous donation has been received for a 2^nd year for the Eichers endowment fund.
   Please make your contribution payable to Del Ray Artisans and indicate whether it is for general operations or the Eichers endowment fund. Postmarks must be made by January 31, 2005, to qualify for your 2004 returns.

Call for entries-photographers

   The Ellipse Photo Show arrives January 20^th and runs through February 26^th.  

   SOHO: Space of Her Own serves at-risk, low-income girls, ages 12-16.  It is an art and mentoring program, based on the television show, Trading Spaces.  Girls and mentors together attend workshops in art and design, then work together to remodel the girls' bedrooms.
   A one-year commitment to mentoring is required, as is a criminal background check and attendance at three mentor orientation sessions. Workshops are held Tuesday evenings Feb.15-April 26, 5:30-8:00 PM.    Remodeling weekends are generally a lot of hard work, but the results are rewarding! 
  Depending on the conditions of the rooms and the organizational skills of individual mentors, rooms can take up to 30 hours to complete. 
  If you are interested, simply show up at the first orientation meeting (6:00-8:00 PM, a light dinner is served) on Tuesday, January 4, 2005  to be held at The Art League Annex (corner of Duke & Union Streets in Old Town). For more information, contact Program Coordinator, Linda Odell, 703.838.4144. Attending the meeting does not oblige you to participate

  Check out the Art by the Yard call for entries insert. This show is a collaboration of DRA with the Springwater Fiber Workshop. There will be Judge’s Awards plus additional awards present. Contact Linda Silk at 703.533.7689 or Randy Scheessele at 703.535.6510.ed.