Exhibit Dates: January 2–31, 2026
Opening Reception: Friday, January 2 from 7–9pm
Celebrating the toys we cherished as kids, the Toy Stories art exhibit at Del Ray Artisans brings a fun, nostalgic vibe to visitors and highlights the unique skills of numerous local artists who have crafted pieces reflecting nostalgia, admiration, and consumer culture of the toy world across a broad spectrum of media.
Join us for the opening reception on Friday, January 2 between 7-9pm to meet curator Gordon Thomas Frank and the artists. Mark your calendar now or set a reminder through Eventbrite at toy-stories.eventbrite.com.
Register in advance for our workshops and save the dates for our other creative programs in January:
- Packing Tape Image Transfers and Collage Workshop – Wednesday, January 7, 6:30-8:30pm
- Creative Book Club: “How Painting Happens; and Why It Matters” by Martin Gayford – Saturdays, January 10 & April 11, 10am-12pm
- Create an Artwork Sales Website with Square Workshop – Sunday, January 11, 6:30-8:30pm
- Create an Art Inventory System in Excel Workshop – Monday, January 12, 6:30-8:30pm
- Life Drawing Sessions – Tuesdays, January 20 & 27, 7-9pm
- Neurographic Art Workshop: Teen edition – Saturday, January 24, 10am-12pm
- Playing with Resin Workshop – Sunday, January 25, 6-9pm
- Advanced Resin Techniques Lecture – Monday, January 26, 6:30-8:30pm
- Nature Journaling Club – Saturday, January 31, 10am-12pm
- Plus more! Upcoming programs listed at delrayartisans.org/programs
The Toy Stories exhibit runs January 2–31, 2026 at Del Ray Artisans gallery in the Colasanto Center, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, Virginia 22301. Gallery hours are Thursday 12-6pm, Friday 12-9pm, Saturday 12-6pm, and Sunday 12-6pm (closed on February 1).
The gallery is free, open to the public, and accessible. For more information, 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, and Virginia Commission for the Arts. DRA is a 501(c)(3) organization.
Short Blurb – 35 words or fewer
The “Toy Stories” art exhibit (January 2–31, 2026) at Del Ray Artisans celebrates the toys that brought you happiness in your childhood or that one you always wished you could have. Details: DelRayArtisans.org/exhibits
Synopsis – 75 words or fewer
The “Toy Stories” art exhibit (January 2–31, 2026) explores the cultural, emotional, and imaginative world of toys. Celebrate the toys that brought you happiness in your childhood or comfort you with nostalgia as an adult. View at Del Ray Artisans, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria VA. Opening Reception: Friday, January 2 from 7-9pm. Gallery hours are Thursdays 12-6pm, Fridays 12-9pm, Saturdays & Sundays 12-6pm. Details at DelRayArtisans.org/exhibits