“A Tale of Two Studios” Art Exhibit at Del Ray Artisans Gallery

Exhibit Dates: April 7–29, 2023
Opening Reception: Friday, April 7, 7-9pm

The Teleportal from Art Enables to Del Ray Artisans by Shawn Payne
“The Teleportal from Art Enables to Del Ray Artisans” by Shawn Payne, Art Enables (Acrylic, ink and plastic gems on canvas board; 16 x 20″)

Del Ray Artisans partners with DC Gallery and Studio Art Enables to showcase the inspiring and diverse art of these two local community organizations and to forge creative exchange through artist talks, workshops, and tours. The A Tale of Two Studios art exhibit (curated by Amy Kitchin and co-juried by Art Enables artist Toni Lane and program manager Aimee Wanner) features favorite works by Del Ray Artisans members and Art Enables resident artists. Both groups are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.

Join us for the opening reception on Friday, April 7 between 7-9pm at Del Ray Artisans gallery at 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, Virginia. During the opening reception, Delegate Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (VA-45) will present Del Ray Artisans with Commending House Resolution 797 from the Virginia House of Delegates. The resolution highlights the impact Del Ray Artisans has had promoting the arts and arts education in Alexandria while helping local artists grow and thrive for the past three decades. Please join us for this special presentation. Mark your calendar now or set a reminder through Eventbrite.

In conjunction with the A Tale of Two Studios exhibit, these events will be hosted at Art Enables at 2204 Rhode Island Avenue, NE, Washington, DC:

  • Saturday, April 8, 11am-3pm | Monotype Printing Workshop at Art Enables – DRA member and artist Eileen M. O’Brien will lead the 2nd Saturday Workshop. Event is free and open to the public. Register to reserve your seat.
  • Saturday, April 22, 2-5pm | Wine & Cheese Reception at Art Enables – Art Enables invites Del Ray Artisans members to this special reception. Resident artists and staff from Art Enables will be present and provide tours of galleries and studios to Del Ray Artisans members. If you are not a member, join now.
  • Saturday, June 10, 11am-3pm | Wax Crayon Art Workshop at Art Enables – DRA member and artist Amy Castine will lead the 2nd Saturday Workshop at Art Enables. Event is free and open to the public.
Zygocactus Tabletop by Ellen Rosenthal
“Zygocactus Tabletop” by Ellen Rosenthal, Del Ray Artisans
(Block Print Collage; 16 x 16″)

Also join us in April for these creative programs hosted at Del Ray Artisans gallery (2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, Virginia) unless otherwise noted:

  • Sunday, April 9, 1-3pm | Del Ray Urban Sketchers at St Elmo’s – Bring your art supplies and join us outside St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub in Del Ray (2300 Mount Vernon Avenue) to sketch. This program is drop-in, free, and open to the public.
  • Tuesday, April 18, 7-9pm | Life Drawing at Del Ray Artisans – Bring your art supplies and join us at the gallery to draw or paint our nude model. The fee for each session is $8 Del Ray Artisans member / $10 non-member. Drop-in or register to reserve your seat.
  • Saturday, April 22, 10am-12pm | Creative Book Club at Del Ray Artisans – The book for this discussion is “Why A Painting Is Like A Pizza: A Guide to Understanding and Enjoying Modern Art” by Nancy G. Heller. The program is drop-in, free, and open to the public.
  • Tuesday, April 25, 7-9pm | Partners in Art Evening at Del Ray Artisans – Join our art-support group to share artistic goals, techniques, and the local art scene. Bring one or two artworks, in any medium and at any stage, for advice and feedback. The program is free; RSVP to the coordinator in advance.

Del Ray Artisans’ gallery hours are Thursdays 12-6pm, Fridays 12-9pm, Saturdays 12-6pm, and Sundays 12-6pm (closed on April 2 and April 30, 2023). For a sneak peek of the exhibit, visit the gallery on First Thursday, April 6 from 12-9pm.

The A Tale of Two Studios exhibit runs April 7-29, 2023 at Del Ray Artisans gallery in the Colasanto Center, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, Virginia 22301. Face masks are recommended inside the gallery. The gallery is free, open to the public, and accessible. For more information, please visit DelRayArtisans.org/exhibits.


Del Ray Artisans, founded in 1992, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote art for the benefit of artists and the community.

Del Ray Artisans (DRA) appreciates the continued support from the City of Alexandria, Alexandria Commission for the Arts, Virginia Commission for the Arts, and National Endowment for the Arts. DRA is a 501(c)(3) organization.

A Tale of Two Studios postcard (front)A Tale of Two Studios postcard (back)

Short Blurb – 35 words or fewer

“A Tale of Two Studios” (April 7-29) – Del Ray Artisans partners with DC gallery and studio Art Enables in an open-themed showcase of the diverse and inspiring art of these two organizations. DelRayArtisans.org/exhibits

Synopsis – 75 words or fewer

“A Tale of Two Studios” – Del Ray Artisans partners with Art Enables Gallery & Studio in an open-themed showcase of the inspiring art of these two community organizations to convey an essential story about creative expression and art-making. On display April 7-29, 2023 at Del Ray Artisans, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria VA. Opening Reception: Friday, April 7 from 7-9pm. Open Thursdays 12-6pm, Fridays 12-9pm, Saturdays 12-6pm, and Sundays 12-6pm (closed April 30). DelRayArtisans.org/exhibits