Unfinished/Finished (4/2-5/1)
2021-04-02 - 2021-05-01 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
Unfinished/Finished Art Exhibit
April 2 – May 1, 2021
“Beauty and the Background” by Michael Green (left, starting artist) and Eileen M. O’Brien (right, finishing artist)
View Online: Photo Album | Video Tour
Many artists are notorious for having oodles of unfinished pieces hidden in their workspaces. In preparation for this exhibit, unfinished works were given to different artists to complete. The Unfinished/Finished art exhibit showcases how these partnerships yield impressive finished artworks by local artists and high school students. Come explore the notion of when and how a work of art is “finished.” Note how the “start” inspired the “finished” piece. The overall concept offered a fun and safe way for artists to collaborate, given the isolation we have all experienced due to the pandemic. Some of the artists paired up with an artist they knew, while others signed up to be randomly paired with another artist. All artists brought a “started” piece to a “finished” state.
Reserve a ticket for a half-hour viewing during the extended hours on opening day: Friday, April 2 between 12-8pm. Opening day tickets are not required, but ticket holders have priority entry. The gallery capacity is limited to 10 people at any one time in order to facilitate social distancing.
Opening Day Tickets
Three special events are held in conjunction with this exhibit:
Speed-Painting with Friends on Sunday, March 14 between 3-6pm. In this free activity, artists will use small canvas boards and take turns painting, with each artist building on the prior artist’s work. No art experience necessary! The artwork created during this event will be displayed as part of Del Ray Artisans’ April exhibit, Unfinished/Finished, with proceeds supporting our non-profit arts organization. Due to pandemic restrictions, registration is required. The event is currently full; check the registration page for last-minute openings.
Sketchy: How to Not Finish a Drawing Workshop on Saturday, April 17 from 10am-Noon. Instructor Margaret Wohler will lead participants through a series of short, fast, drawing techniques that will enhance observational skills and focus on natural subjects. Participants will explore blind contour, gesture, and drawing-by-feel techniques along with meditative mindful drawing. The workshop is $25 for Del Ray Artisans members and $35 for non-members; plus drawing kits will be available for purchase for $25. This workshop will be held outside the gallery, weather permitting. Register at sketchy-workshop.eventbrite.com
Music As Muse: Inspired Painting Workshop on Saturday, April 24 from 2-4pm. Join us for a day of painting inspired by music led by Nancy Ramsey! We will create loose abstract acrylics, painting along to music. We’ll create gestural movements in time to the music and create a record of them in paint. Working with three small canvases simultaneously, we’ll do a rotation by removing one of the paintings and continuing to work on the remaining ones. Then we’ll pick a final painting to continue to work on. At the end, we will have a series of three paintings in a progression of completion—some left more “unfinished” than others. This workshop will be held outside the gallery, weather permitting. Register at music-as-muse.eventbrite.com
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The Unfinished/Finished art exhibit runs April 2 – May 1, 2021 at Del Ray Artisans gallery in the Colasanto Center, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, Virginia 22301. The gallery is free, open to the public, and accessible.
Regular gallery hours are Thursdays 12-6pm, Fridays 12-6pm, and Saturdays 12-4pm. Del Ray Artisans is ALX Promise certified and is committed to the health and safety of our visitors. Please wear a face mask and maintain 6′ of personal space.
For more information, contact the curator Eileen O’Brien (artbyeileenm@gmail.com) or Director of Curating Kelly Postula (Curating@DelRayArtisans.org).
