Tell Me a Story (Online 3/30-6/10)
2020-03-30 - 2020-06-12 | Online
Tell Me a Story Art Exhibit
Online Exhibit runs March 30-June 10, 2020
This is the story of curating an art exhibit at an unusual time.
The Tell Me a Story exhibit opened on March 6, 2020 at Del Ray Artisans gallery with a busy reception and high praise. The walls are packed with artwork: 189 pieces in the exhibit and 134 pieces in the art-to-go marketplace. This is nearly double the size of a typical exhibit in this space—with work from 95 artists on display.
As safety guidelines changed, this exhibit was extended to April 26; then, ultimately, on March 23 the gallery was closed to the public until further notice. At this time, we rose to the challenge and posted the artwork in a Flickr album, so the exhibit could still be viewed.
If you would like to purchase artwork, please email the artwork title, artist’s name, or description to Gallery@DelRayArtisans.org or Technology@DelRayArtisans.org by June 10, 2020. Purchased artwork will be available for pick up after the gallery reopens.
View the Artwork
My Journey as Curator
When I was developing the theme for this exhibit, it was important to me to be able to include a variety of visual art and literary works by local artists. The idea was to be able to look at any piece of art and then let the story unfold. Everyone’s story is different; and there are many ways to express your story.
Still I was overwhelmed by the response. This exhibit received nearly double the expected amount of entries, and I needed to cull about a third of the work in order to have any hope of fitting it into the gallery. (There was a moment when I considered putting art on the ceiling!)
We had an outstanding team of volunteers at artwork receiving (when artists drop off accepted pieces) and helping arrange the display. I took the video below after the exhibit’s first round of hanging. Tweaks were made later and temporary artwork tags (seen hanging off the pieces in the video) were replaced by wall tags.
The week of artwork receiving and hanging is always the busiest for the curator. It’s such a reward to see everyone’s reaction to the collection at the opening reception—and the reception was crowded! The exhibit was well received, and many buyers went home with great art from the art-to-go marketplace and reserved exhibit art for later pick up.
Then COVID-19. As we learned more about the illness, it became clear the gallery would be closing. How do we share the art safely? The internet to the rescue.
Thank you to all the artists who submitted photos of their work and to the volunteers who took additional photos. Together we were able to capture the essence of the exhibit through pictures, so you can still take this imaginative journey with us.

“Something’s Brewing” by Lesley Hall, acrylic, $337, 8×11″
In the description for each artwork in the Flickr album, you’ll find the artwork title, artist, media, price, and dimensions. If you would like to purchase an artwork, please send the title, description, and/or artist’s name to Gallery@DelRayArtisans.org and Technology@DelRayArtisans.org to make arrangements. The artwork is available for purchase until June 10, 2020, and it will be available for pickup after the gallery reopens.
We will also be sharing some of the artists’ stories on social media, so be sure to follow Del Ray Artisans on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Thank you the artists, the volunteers, and patrons for celebrating the arts.
—Lesley Hall, curator
Del Ray Artisans’ gallery is located in the Colasanto Center, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, Virginia, but is closed until further notice (effective March 23, 2020). Check DelRayArtisans.org for schedule updates.

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.

POSTPONED: 19th Amendment, War of the Roses
2020-04-03 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
Schedule Update: In compliance with the Governor’s directive to avoid large events and consideration of Alexandria City Public Schools’ schedule, Del Ray Artisans has rescheduled this members and high school students’ exhibit from April 2020 to November 2020 and extended the invitation to enter to 2020 high school graduates.
The original exhibit title was 19th Amendment, War of the Roses. Since the postponement, the exhibit has been revised to be inclusive of current events. The new exhibit title is Women’s Right to Vote: 100 Years Since the 19th Amendment.
View the Call for Entry

“Vote” by Drew
Celebrating the 100-year Anniversary of the 19th Amendment, the 19th Amendment, War of the Roses art exhibit at Del Ray Artisans pays tribute to the rights we enjoy today because of the battle won for women’s right to vote in 1920. This amendment not only gave women the right to vote, but also led the way to more overall equality and social reform. The exhibit features artwork by Del Ray Artisans members and local high school students.
Artist awards will be presented by Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, Vice Mayor of Alexandria, in both the high school category and the members category. Special contributions towards awards provided by the Kiwanis Club of Alexandria, Community Partner McD Mateos, and the curators.
“A Hooded Intellect” by Amy Kitchin Hower
The National American Woman Suffrage Association, formed in 1890, adopted the colors white, golden yellow and purple. Symbolizing purity and hope, golden-yellow banners were used in parades to express the spirit of the movement. Soon, yellow roses became an emblem of the suffrage cause. In contrast, anti-suffragists adopted red roses as their symbol. What ensued was a “War of the Roses.” Are you a “suff” or “antis“? Which color rose would you wear? – yellow or red.
Although Harry T. Burn, the youngest member of the Tennessee state legislature wore a red rose on his lapel, his surprising “yea” vote on August 18, 1920, allowed the passing and ratification of the 19th Amendment, which guaranteed women the right to vote, and moved millions of women closer to equality. “Do the right thing” his mother urged him. Harry stands on the right side of history because he did the “right thing.” Ever wonder what life would be like if Harry Burn had voted ‘nay’ to women’s rights?
For more information, please contact the curators Amy Kitchin Hower (alkitchin.dc@gmail.com), Karen Schmitz (kschmitzart@gmail.com), and Drew Cariaso (druamaart@comcast.net).
