Del Ray Artisans

First Knitted Hat Workshop (2nd of 2 classes)
2024-11-13 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
This time is reserved for the First Knitted Hat workshop. You must register by November 2nd to attend.

View other upcoming workshops, information about the facility and policies on the Upcoming Workshops page.

Intro to Tunisian Crochet: Cockatiel Cowl (class)
2024-11-14 19:00 - 20:30 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
This time is reserved for the Intro to Tunisian Crochet: Cockatiel Cowl workshop. You must register by November 3rd to attend.

View other upcoming workshops, information about the facility, and policies on the Upcoming Workshops page.

Creative Book Club – "Bright Stars: Great Artists Who Died Too Young" by Kate Bryan
2024-11-16 10:00 - 12:00 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
Book: “Bright Stars: Great Artists Who Died Too Young” by Kate Bryan
Facilitator: Marshall Carolus
Meeting Date: Saturday, November 16, 10am-12pm
(Drop-in; Set a reminder in Eventbrite)
“In Bright Stars, Kate Bryan examines the lives and legacies of 30 great artists who died too young, celebrating their inspirational stories and extraordinary talent.
Some of the world’s greatest and most-loved artists died under the age of forty. But how did they turn relatively short careers into such long legacies? What drove them to create, against all the odds? And how can we use these stories to re-evaluate artists lost to the shadows, or whose legacies are not yet secured?”

—Frances Lincoln, Publisher
The Creative Book Club meets on select Saturday mornings to discuss readings by a variety of authors. The club is free and open to all who are interested in keeping their creative muse flowing and connecting with other creative people. Future book selections will be announced on this website and in the Weekly eNews email in advance.
If you have questions, please contact Marshall Carolus at marshallcarolus@aol.com.
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Decorated Letters Workshop (Register ASAP)
2024-11-17 13:00 - 15:30 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
Instructor: Jenny Nicholson
Date/Time: Sunday, November 17, 1-3:30pm
Cost: $45 Del Ray Artisans member / $55 Non-member; plus a $15 Supply Fee
Class size: 4-10 participants
(Register in advance; walk-ins welcome only if space permits)
Create large letters and decorate inside and around them with Zentangles, patterns, texture, color, and gold. Final pieces are a 3.5″ square or larger. Materials fee includes white and black paper and Gelly Roll pens, along with other materials provided by the instructor to use in class. Bring watercolors and a small watercolor brush if you already have them.
Register Now

View other upcoming workshops, information about the facility, and policies on the Upcoming Workshops page.

Playing with Resin Workshop (Register ASAP)
2024-11-17 18:00 - 21:00 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
Instructor: Tracy Wilkerson, recycledworks@yahoo.com
Date/Time: Sunday, November 17 from 6-9pm
Cost: $40 Del Ray Artisans member / $50 Non-member; plus a $10 Supply Fee
Class size: 6-12 participants
(Register in advance. Walk-ins welcome, space permitting.)
Learn the ins and outs of prepping for and mixing resin, and how to use it as an adhesive, a covering, or the main medium. There’s lots of creative time during this 3-hour workshop… No need to rush, which is one of the first lessons in using resin! All supplies are provided, but feel free to bring personal embellishments for your piece(s).
This workshop does not get into using dyes with resin or building big molds to create one-of-a-kind resined tables (as seen on YouTube), but this workshop will provide you with a good understanding of how resin works so you can be bold enough to take the next steps in your creative interests.
Although the class is listed for 3 hours, you can leave once you have finished your creations. Some students finish very quickly while others take the whole 3 hours to create – there is plenty of time for each person to enjoy the creative process while not feeling rushed. You’ll leave your finished masterpiece(s) to set at the gallery at the end of the workshop, and pick them up during gallery hours later in the week.
The workshop is designed for adults. Children ages 16-17 may participate with parental permission. Children ages 12-15 may participate only with a co-participating adult guardian (guardian must contact instructor in advance).
Register Now

View other upcoming workshops, information about the facility and policies on the Upcoming Workshops page.

Advanced Resin Techniques Lecture (Register ASAP)
2024-11-18 18:30 - 20:30 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
Presenter: Tracy Wilkerson, recycledworks@yahoo.com
Date/Time: Monday, November 18, 6:30-8:30pm
Cost: $20 Del Ray Artisans member / $30 Non-member
Class size: 7-20 participants
(Register in advance; walk-ins welcome, space permitting)
Do you like working with resin but want to get a little more creative? In this class, we will discuss advanced resin techniques such as layering, tilting, building in three dimensions, adding lights, and more. The instructor will show physical examples of these techniques and discuss what to be aware of when using each technique. There will be time for questions and discussions during the class. This class will NOT cover resin dyes or pigment powder usage, but will touch on other possible additions to resin (such as glitter and alcohol inks).
You must already know how to use resin before taking this class. This is a lecture rather than a hands-on workshop, so registrants will not be creating anything during the class.
Register Now

View other upcoming workshops, information about the facility and policies on the Upcoming Workshops page.

Life Drawing Session – Gesture and Short Pose
2024-11-19 19:00 - 21:00, 2024-12-03 19:00 - 21:00, 2024-12-17 19:00 - 21:00 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
Drop-in and practice life drawing on two select Tuesday evenings each month. Bring your supplies and join us at the gallery to draw or paint our nude model.
Traditional drawing media (such as pencils, pens, and charcoal) are welcome; and pastels, watercolor and ink are permissible. Please do not bring acrylics or oil paints. We don’t supply easels – only plenty of chairs – but you are welcome to bring your own easel if you want to use one. All skill levels are welcome.
The first part of this session will be focused on gesture poses (dynamic 1-5 minute poses) to loosen up and participate in a fun, fast-paced drawing experience. The second hour will be a few short poses for more detailed drawings leading up to up to two 20-minute poses.
Fee for each session is $8 for Del Ray Artisans members and $10 for non-members. Register now or pay at the gallery before the session. If you have any questions or would like to participate as a model for our sessions, please contact Brando Gould at LifeDrawing@DelRayArtisans.org.
View artwork from past DRA Life Drawing Sessions on Instagram! Tag #dralifedraw or @dralifedraw for your work to be featured.
Face masks are recommended inside the gallery.
Register Now | View Upcoming Sessions

Artwork credit: “To The Beat” by Katherine Rand

CANCELLED: Partners in Art Evening (RSVP in Advance)
2024-11-20 19:00 - 21:00 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
The November 20th session has been cancelled. See you in the new year!
Calling fellow artists, beginners to professionals, you are invited to join our art-support group, to share artistic goals, techniques, and the local art scene. Participants may show one or two artworks, any medium, in any stage, for advice and feedback.
To join our small, friendly, and supportive artists’ group, contact Michele Reday Cook at mredaycook@gmail.com for details and registration BEFORE the day of the meeting.
This program is free. Donations ($1-3) are greatly appreciated. Contact Michele Reday Cook (mredaycook@gmail.com) with questions.
Face masks are recommended inside the gallery.
View Upcoming Meetings

Playing with Resin Workshop (Register ASAP)
2024-12-02 18:00 - 21:00 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
Instructor: Tracy Wilkerson, recycledworks@yahoo.com
Date/Time: Monday, December 2, 6-9pm
Cost: $40 Del Ray Artisans member / $50 Non-member; plus a $10 Supply Fee
Class size: 6-12 participants
(Register in advance; walk-ins welcome, space permitting)
Learn the ins and outs of prepping for and mixing resin, and how to use it as an adhesive, a covering, or the main medium. There’s lots of creative time during this 3-hour workshop… No need to rush, which is one of the first lessons in using resin! All supplies are provided, but feel free to bring personal embellishments for your piece(s).
This workshop does not get into using dyes with resin or building big molds to create one-of-a-kind resined tables (as seen on YouTube), but this workshop will provide you with a good understanding of how resin works so you can be bold enough to take the next steps in your creative interests.
Although the class is listed for 3 hours, you can leave once you have finished your creations. Some students finish very quickly while others take the whole 3 hours to create – there is plenty of time for each person to enjoy the creative process while not feeling rushed. You’ll leave your finished masterpiece(s) to set at the gallery at the end of the workshop, and pick them up during gallery hours later in the week.
The workshop is designed for adults. Children ages 16-17 may participate with parental permission. Children ages 12-15 may participate only with a co-participating adult guardian (guardian must contact instructor in advance).
Register Now

View other upcoming workshops, information about the facility and policies on the Upcoming Workshops page.

Neurographic Art Workshop (Register by 12/8)
2024-12-11 18:00 - 20:00 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
Instructor: Morgan Parr
Date/Time: Wednesday, December 11, 6-8pm
Cost: $30 Del Ray Artisans member / $40 Non-member; plus $10 Supply Fee
Class size: 4-25 participants
(Register in advance. Drop-ins welcome, space permitting.)
You don’t have to be an artist to make art with Neurographic Art. A neuron is a cell that carries messages between the brain and other parts of our body and that is the basic unit of our central nervous system. Graphic is the artistic use of pictures, shapes and words. This activity helps you to connect with the art making process and allows your mind to relax.
Supplies are provided but please feel free to bring markers, pens or watercolors to add color to your project.
Register Now

Image credit: Neurographic art by Morgan Parr

View other upcoming workshops, information about the facility, and policies on the Upcoming Workshops page.

Art Rx for Madison County NC Donation Drive through December 22
2024-12-22 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
In September 2024 Hurricane Helene tore through Western North Carolina and left behind a trail of devastation. Del Ray Artisans member Betsy Lederer has organized Art Rx for Madison County NC to assist with the recovery by equipping the arts community with supplies—for artists, from artists.
You can support this effort by donating new or like new art supplies. Specifically requested are:
‘Ready for Creating’ kits for both children and adults. Kit examples:

Watercolor paper, paint and brushes
Acrylic canvas, paint and brushes
Drawing sketch book, pencils, pens, eraser, sharpener, colored pencils
Sewing kits with needles, thread, material
Knitting and crocheting kits with yarn needles and patterns
Felting kit with wool, felting needle, foam pads and patterns
Air dry clay and modeling tools
Weaving kits with small looms and assorted yarns
Kid’s kit with paper crayons, markers and glue sticks
Greeting card making kits with blank envelopes and cards, stencils, ink pads, washi tape and adhesives

Classroom supplies such as the following:

Paper – regular copy paper, drawing paper, construction paper, scrapbooking paper and origami paper
Crayola Tempura Paint
Yarn
Tape – Clear scotch tape, making tape, painter’s tape, washi tape
Crayola markers – thick or thin
Black sharpies
Elmer’s glue sticks
Random fun loose supplies like googly eyes, foam shape rubber stickers, brad fasteners, rubber bands, pipe cleaners, feathers, beads, popsicle sticks and straws
Low fire white clay

A collection bin is located in Del Ray Artisans gallery foyer from November 15 through December 22, 2024. Donated supplies will be delivered by Betsy to the Madison County Art Council and two elementary schools particularly hard hit by Helene, Brush Creek and Hot Springs.
Gallery hours for drop-offs until December 1:
Thursday 12-6pm; Friday 12-9pm; Saturday & Sunday 12-6pm
Closed on Thanksgiving Day, 11/28; Open on Wednesday, 11/27, 12-6pm
Holiday Market hours for drop-offs from December 6–22:
Fridays 6-9pm, Saturdays 9am-5pm, Sundays 11am-5pm
Other ways to help:

GoFundMe Fundraiser – Art Rx for Madison County NC – Supplies for Dreaming
Amazon Wish List – Art Rx: Post-Helene Art Supply Donations for Western NC
Donate to Madison County Arts Council via their Art Rx Donation Page
Donate directly to Brush Creek Elementary School. Checks can be written to BCES PTO, with “Art supplies” in the memo line. The school mailing address is: Brush Creek Elementary School, 265 Upper Brush Creek Road, Marshall, NC 28753

If you have questions, please contact Del Ray Artisans Director of Community, Seán Crumley, at community@delrayartisans.org.

CANCELLED: Figure Drawing Session
2025-01-07 19:00 - 21:00 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
UPDATE: The session on Tuesday, January 7th has been cancelled due to the weather. The next session will be on Tuesday, January 21st.
Drop-in and practice figure drawing on two select Tuesday* evenings each month. Bring your supplies and join us at the gallery to draw or paint our nude model.
*Most sessions are on Tuesday evenings, but in 2025 there will be a session on Thursday, November 13 and a few costumed sessions on Thursday evenings in October.
Traditional drawing media (such as pencils, pens, and charcoal) are welcome; and pastels, watercolor and ink are permissible. Please do not bring acrylics or oil paints. We don’t supply easels – only plenty of chairs – but you are welcome to bring your own easel if you want to use one. All skill levels are welcome.
The first part of this session will be focused on gesture poses (dynamic 1-5 minute poses) to loosen up and participate in a fun, fast-paced drawing experience. The second hour will be a few short poses for more detailed drawings leading up to up to two 20-minute poses.
Fee for each session is $8 for Del Ray Artisans members and $10 for non-members. If you have any questions or would like to participate as a model for our sessions, please contact Brando Gould at LifeDrawing@DelRayArtisans.org.
View artwork from past DRA Figure Drawing Sessions on Instagram! Tag #dralifedraw or @dralifedraw for your work to be featured.
Register Now | View Upcoming Sessions

Artwork credit: “To The Beat” by Katherine Rand

Open Mic: Amateur Stand-Up Comedy Night
2025-01-10 20:00 - 22:00 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
Save the date for Open Mic: Amateur Stand-Up Comedy Night on Friday, January 10, 8-10pm.
Enjoy the fun puns and show your appreciation for the laughs by adding a few dollars to the donation jar. All proceeds support Del Ray Artisans nonprofit. Come on your own or with friends to this entertaining drop-in event. Mark your calendar or set a reminder via Eventbrite.

Performers: Overcome stage fright and get feedback on your worst puns!
Sign up for Open Mic night and show off your comedy chops in a gallery filled with goofy artwork and funny people. To participate, sign up for a two-minute slot and prep your best material. At Open Mic, you’ll take the ‘stage’ and unleash your comedy on a supportive audience.
NOTE: You will be scheduled for a 2-minutes spot within a half-hour time period. Select which half-hour time period you prefer. If you have any questions, contact Erica Hughes at zarathustraspeaks@msn.com.
Sign Up to Perform

This workshop is held in conjunction with the Visual Humor art exhibit.

POSTPONED new date 2/1: Creative Book Club - “Paris in Ruins: Love, War, and the Birth of Impressionism” by Sebastian Smee
2025-01-11 10:00 - 12:00 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
Book: “Paris in Ruins: Love, War, and the Birth of Impressionism” by Sebastian Smee
Facilitator: Marshall Carolus
Meeting Date: Saturday, January 11, 10am-12pm
(Drop-in, set a reminder in Eventbrite)
“The Pulitzer Prize–winning art critic’s gripping account of the “Terrible Year” in Paris and its monumental impact on the rise of Impressionism.
From the summer of 1870 to the spring of 1871, famously dubbed the “Terrible Year” by Victor Hugo, Paris and its people were besieged, starved, and forced into surrender by Germans―then imperiled again as radical republicans established a breakaway Commune, ultimately crushed by the French Army after bloody street battles and the burning of central Paris. As renowned art critic Sebastian Smee shows, it was against the backdrop of these tumultuous times that the Impressionist movement was born―in response to violence, civil war, and political intrigue.
In stirring and exceptionally vivid prose, Smee tells the story of those dramatic days through the eyes of great figures of Impressionism. Édouard Manet, Berthe Morisot, and Edgar Degas were trapped in Paris during the siege and deeply enmeshed in its politics. Others, including Pierre-August Renoir and Frédéric Bazille, joined regiments outside of the capital, while Claude Monet and Camille Pissarro fled the country just in time. In the aftermath, these artists developed a newfound sense of the fragility of life. That feeling for transience―reflected in Impressionism’s emphasis on fugitive light, shifting seasons, glimpsed street scenes, and the impermanence of all things―became the movement’s great contribution to the history of art.”
—W. W. Norton & Company, Publisher
The Creative Book Club meets on select Saturday mornings to discuss readings by a variety of authors. The club is free and open to all who are interested in keeping their creative muse flowing and connecting with other creative people. Future book selections will be announced on this website and in the Weekly eNews email in advance.
If you have questions, please contact Marshall Carolus at marshallcarolus@aol.com.
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Del Ray Urban Sketchers 2025
2025-01-12 13:00 - 15:00 | St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub, 2300 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
Del Ray Urban Sketchers operates on a drop-in basis and meets the second Sunday of most months at St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub in Del Ray. (Del Ray Urban Sketchers does not meet in July, August, and December.)
Urban sketchbooking emphasizes storytelling that conveys a sense of place or a moment in time through drawings completed from direct observations.
Bring your supplies and join us outside at the cafe to produce still life, figure, or architecture subjects in your sketchbook. Participants will spend some time putting their skills into practice and then reconvene for a review of finished works.
This program is FREE! Donations appreciated. Meet outside at St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub (2300 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22301). Contact the organizer, Joan Bickelhaupt (joanbickelhaupt@gmail.com), with any questions.
RSVP via Eventbrite | View Upcoming Dates

Photo courtesy of Joan Bickelhaupt

Partners in Art (FULL)
2025-01-13 14:00 - 16:00 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
The afternoon program is FULL. If you would like to join the evening program, contact Michele Reday Cook (mredaycook@gmail.com) for information and registration.
Need support reaching your art related goals? Join this collegial group of artists to share your goals and get feedback on artwork. Monthly meetings include discussions on exhibit opportunities, the creative process and the local art scene. Artist can bring 1-2 works – complete or in progress – for feedback. All skill levels and media welcome.
This program is free, but donations ($1-3) are greatly appreciated. Contact Mila Mateu (milaenartes@gmail.com) or Suzanne Tillman (zannet@verizon.net) with questions about the afternoon program.
View Upcoming Meetings

Knit Amigurumi Workshop (Two 2-hour classes)
2025-01-13 18:30 - 20:30 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
Instructor: Dawn Zurell, dmzurell@gmail.com
Date/Time: Mondays, January 13 and 20, 6:30-8:30pm
Cost: $70 Del Ray Artisans member / $80 Non-member; plus students must bring supplies
Class size: 2-6 participants
(Register in advance.)
This advanced beginner class is great for those who are relatively new to knitting and want to try amigurumi techniques. It is spread out over two weeks (two 2-hour classes), so you will have time to practice the techniques learned in-between sessions. This format will set you up for success and give you the skills needed to continue with future amigurumi projects. You will also complete an adorable clownfish stuffed toy! This class is for anyone aged 13+ years.
Skills needed for this class:

Knit and purl stitches
Long tail cast-on

The specific skills taught in this class are:

German short rows
Increasing and decreasing
Basic sewing skills

Materials you will need to bring to your first class:

US2(2.75mm)knitting needles (straight, circular, or double pointed)
Yarn type: DK weight cotton or cotton/acrylic yarn (see suggested yarns below)
White yarn (50yd/46m)
Orange yarn (100yd/91m)
Black yarn (50yd/46m)
Tapestry needle
Locking stitch markers
Purchased pattern at www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/nemo-the-clown-fish
(Fiberfill for stuffing will be provided)

No other preparation is needed.
Suggestions for yarn:

KnitPicks Animation DK Weight Cotton
Friends Cotton 8/8 Light Worsted/DK
Hobbii Rainbow Cotton 8/8 Light Worsted/DK
LionBrand 24/7 DK 273yds Light Weight Cotton Yarn
CascadeUltra Pima
Schachenmayr Catania Sport 100% Mercerized Cotton
Paintbox Yarns Simply DK
Premier Basix DK

This workshop is held in conjunction with the Visual Humor art exhibit.
Register Now

Artwork credit: Nemo the Clown Fish by Nicola Riley; Purchase Pattern

View other upcoming workshops, information about the facility and policies on the Upcoming Workshops page.

Crochet Amigurumi Workshop (Two 2-hour classes)
2025-01-15 18:30 - 20:30 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
Instructor: Dawn Zurell, dmzurell@gmail.com
Date/Time: Wednesdays, January 15 and 22, 6:30-8:30pm
Cost: $70 Del Ray Artisans member / $80 Non-member; plus students must bring supplies
Class size: 2-6 participants
(Register in advance.)
This advanced beginner class is great for those who are relatively new to crochet and want to try amigurumi techniques. It is spread out over two weeks (two 2-hour classes), so you will have time to practice the techniques learned in-between sessions. This format will set you up for success and give you the skills needed to continue with future amigurumi projects. You will also complete an adorable clownfish stuffed toy! This class is for anyone aged 13+ years.
Skills needed for this class:

Foundation chain//chain stitches
Single crochet
Slip stitches
Crochet into back side of the chain

The specific skills taught in this class are:

Magic ring
Increasing and decreasing
Basic sewing skills
Basic embroidery skills

Materials you will need to bring to your first class:

Crochet hook, size G (6) / 4.0mm
Yarn type: DK weight cotton or cotton/acrylic yarn (see suggested yarns below)
White yarn (143yd/130m)
Orange yarn (310yd/290m)
Black yarn (22yd/20m)
Dark orange yarn (11yd/10m)
Tapestry needle
Locking stitch markers
Purchased pattern at www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/clown-fish-amigurumi-2
(Fiberfill for stuffing will be provided)

No other preparation is needed.
Suggestions for yarn:

KnitPicks Animation DK Weight Cotton
Friends Cotton 8/8 Light Worsted/DK
Hobbii Rainbow Cotton 8/8 Light Worsted/DK
LionBrand 24/7 DK 273yds Light Weight Cotton Yarn
CascadeUltra Pima
Schachenmayr Catania Sport 100% Mercerized Cotton
Paintbox Yarns Simply DK
Premier Basix DK

This workshop is held in conjunction with the Visual Humor art exhibit.
Register Now

Artwork credit: Clown Fish Amigurumi by Joyce Overheul; Purchase Pattern

View other upcoming workshops, information about the facility and policies on the Upcoming Workshops page.

Silly Suds: Humorous Soapmaking Workshop (Register ASAP)
2025-01-18 09:00 - 12:00 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
Instructor: Suzan Ok Shumate
Date/Time: Saturday, January 18, 9am-12pm
Cost: $35 Del Ray Artisans member / $45 Non-member; plus a $10 Supply Fee
Class size: 4-10 participants
(Register in advance; walk-ins welcome if space permits)
Get ready to laugh and lather as you create your own humorous soaps (winking owls, poop emojis, wacky animals, and more). Learn about melt-and-pour techniques using a moisturizing shea butter base, premium fragrance oils, and fun, skin-safe colorants. Bright colors, fun scents, and a dash of whimsy will bring your designs to life. While soaps harden, decorate a gift box to take your creations home with you at the end of this workshop.
This workshop is held in conjunction with the Visual Humor art exhibit.
Register Now

View other upcoming workshops, information about the facility, and policies on the Upcoming Workshops page.

Gallery Open 1-6pm Today (1/19)
2025-01-19 13:00 - 18:00 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
UPDATE at 12:30pm: The National Weather Service has decreased expected snow totals, now anticipating closer to 1 inch of accumulation rather than the higher range initially expected. This adjustment is due to the later-than-expected arrival of the arctic front, which may bring more rain or a rain/snow mix before transitioning to snow later today.
The gallery will be OPEN on Sunday, January 19 from 1pm-6pm. The City of Alexandria is under a Winter Weather Advisory on Sunday, January 19 from 7am-7pm.

POSTPONED: Knit Amigurumi Workshop (2nd of 2 classes)
2025-01-20 18:30 - 20:30 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
UPDATE: A new date is being scheduled for the second class. Registered participants will receive an email from the instructor.
This time is reserved for the Knit Amigurumi workshop. You must register in advance to attend.

View other upcoming workshops, information about the facility and policies on the Upcoming Workshops page.

Figure Drawing – Gesture and Short Poses Session
2025-01-21 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-01-28 19:00 - 21:00 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
Drop-in and practice figure drawing on two select Tuesday* evenings each month. Bring your supplies and join us at the gallery to draw or paint our nude model.
*Most sessions are on Tuesday evenings, but in 2025 there will be a session on Thursday, November 13 and a few costumed sessions on Thursday evenings in October.
Traditional drawing media (such as pencils, pens, and charcoal) are welcome; and pastels, watercolor and ink are permissible. Please do not bring acrylics or oil paints. We don’t supply easels – only plenty of chairs – but you are welcome to bring your own easel if you want to use one. All skill levels are welcome.
The first part of this session will be focused on gesture poses (dynamic 1-5 minute poses) to loosen up and participate in a fun, fast-paced drawing experience. The second hour will be a few short poses for more detailed drawings leading up to up to two 20-minute poses.
Fee for each session is $8 for Del Ray Artisans members and $10 for non-members. If you have any questions or would like to participate as a model for our sessions, please contact Brando Gould at LifeDrawing@DelRayArtisans.org.
View artwork from past DRA Figure Drawing Sessions on Instagram! Tag #dralifedraw or @dralifedraw for your work to be featured.
Register Now | View Upcoming Sessions

Artwork credit: “To The Beat” by Katherine Rand

Crochet Amigurumi Workshop (2nd of 2 classes)
2025-01-22 18:30 - 20:30 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
This time is reserved for the Crochet Amigurumi workshop. You must register in advance to attend.

View other upcoming workshops, information about the facility and policies on the Upcoming Workshops page.

"When Pigs Fly" Bead Embroidery Workshop (Register by 1/22) - NEW DATE!
2025-01-23 18:00 - 21:00 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
UPDATE: This workshop was rescheduled from Sunday, January 19 to Thursday, January 23 due to the weather. Additional registrations will be accepted until midnight on Wednesday, January 22.
Instructor: Amy Castine, amy.castine@aim.com
Date/Time: Thursday, January 23, 6-9pm
Cost: $50 Del Ray Artisans member / $60 Non-member; plus $15 Supply Fee
Class size: 4-8 participants
(Register by midnight on January 22)
Create a fun piece of wearable bead art! While bead embroidery may look complicated, it doesn’t have to be. In this class, you will learn beginning bead embroidery stitches as you create your own flying pig pin/pendant. Plus, the skills you learn can be combined and added to all sorts of fiber arts, giving you a solid foundation to expand your creativity.
This workshop is held in conjunction with the Visual Humor art exhibit.
Register Now

View other upcoming workshops, information about the facility, and policies on the Upcoming Workshops page.

Nature Journaling Club 2025
2025-01-25 10:00 - 12:00 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
Practiced by artists and naturalists alike, nature journaling is a centuries-old exercise in refining our powers of observation, appreciation for nature, drawing skills, and mindful presence. This group is open to all experience levels as we meet to sketch, connect, and learn together!
Del Ray Artisans’ Nature Journaling Club meets at 10am in front of Del Ray Artisans on the final Saturday morning of the month (except not in July, November, and December).
Participants will need to bring their own sketchbooks and supplies. We will have plenty of time for sketching in nature before gathering again at 11:30am to share our sketches and observations and discuss tips and tools for nature journaling in the wild. We hope you will join us as we strengthen our art and inquiry practice together!
Suggested supplies: sketchbook, pens, pencils, colored pencils, watercolor pencils, or other portable media, and a water bottle since we will be outdoors. You may also want to bring something to sit on (folding chair or blanket).
NOTE: This program is held outdoors and will be canceled if raining.
This program is FREE! Donations appreciated. For more information, contact the coordinators: Stephanie Darlene Greenwald (stephanie@stephaniedarlene.com) and Meredith D’Amore (meredith.w.damore@gmail.com).
View Upcoming Dates

Artwork credit: Drawing by Meredith D’Amore

Creative Book Club - “Paris in Ruins: Love, War, and the Birth of Impressionism” by Sebastian Smee
2025-02-01 10:00 - 12:00 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
Book: “Paris in Ruins: Love, War, and the Birth of Impressionism” by Sebastian Smee
Facilitator: Marshall Carolus
Meeting Date: Saturday, February 1, 10am-12pm
(Drop-in, set a reminder in Eventbrite)
“The Pulitzer Prize–winning art critic’s gripping account of the “Terrible Year” in Paris and its monumental impact on the rise of Impressionism.
From the summer of 1870 to the spring of 1871, famously dubbed the “Terrible Year” by Victor Hugo, Paris and its people were besieged, starved, and forced into surrender by Germans―then imperiled again as radical republicans established a breakaway Commune, ultimately crushed by the French Army after bloody street battles and the burning of central Paris. As renowned art critic Sebastian Smee shows, it was against the backdrop of these tumultuous times that the Impressionist movement was born―in response to violence, civil war, and political intrigue.
In stirring and exceptionally vivid prose, Smee tells the story of those dramatic days through the eyes of great figures of Impressionism. Édouard Manet, Berthe Morisot, and Edgar Degas were trapped in Paris during the siege and deeply enmeshed in its politics. Others, including Pierre-August Renoir and Frédéric Bazille, joined regiments outside of the capital, while Claude Monet and Camille Pissarro fled the country just in time. In the aftermath, these artists developed a newfound sense of the fragility of life. That feeling for transience―reflected in Impressionism’s emphasis on fugitive light, shifting seasons, glimpsed street scenes, and the impermanence of all things―became the movement’s great contribution to the history of art.”
—W. W. Norton & Company, Publisher
The Creative Book Club meets on select Saturday mornings to discuss readings by a variety of authors. The club is free and open to all who are interested in keeping their creative muse flowing and connecting with other creative people. Future book selections will be announced on this website and in the Weekly eNews email in advance.
If you have questions, please contact Marshall Carolus at marshallcarolus@aol.com.
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STEAM-tastic: Pop Art Cats Workshop (Ages 6-12) (Register ASAP)
2025-02-08 10:00 - 12:00 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
Instructor Morgan Parr
Instructor: Morgan Parr
Date/Time: Saturday, February 8, 10am-12pm
Cost: $25/child
Class size: 4-20 participants
(Register in advance; walk-ins allowed, space permitting)
Andy Warhol loved cats. In fact, he owned 25 cats and all but one called Sam! He believed that art is everywhere and that even the things we see everyday make a perfect subject to add to a painting, like cats. You will learn color theory while making a series of cats on a colorful painted background. This fun technique allows you to keep creating as many cats as you’d like, each with their own personality to create a work of art inspired by Andy Warhol. All the supplies are provided.
This workshop is for participants ages 6-12 years old. Family members are welcome to attend, listen, and learn. Please contact the Youth Programs Director at youth@delrayartisans.org with any questions.
Register Now

STEAM-tastic @ DRA – Come join us at Del Ray Artisans for interactive classes about Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM), taught by professionals from each field! Geared toward kids and teens, each lesson has a short talk or demonstration and a hands-on craft project. Del Ray Artisans’ STEAM-tastic workshops are made possible with support from the City of Alexandria through the FY2025 Annual Arts Program Grant.

View all upcoming workshops, information about the facility, and policies on the Upcoming Workshops page.
