Del Ray Artisans

“Fairy Tales Around the World” Call for Entry Deadline
2025-02-15 23:59 (America/New_York) | Online
Call for Entry ~ Open to area artists
Fairy Tales Around the World
Exhibit Dates: March 7–29, 2025
Digital entry deadline extended to Saturday, February 15, 2025 by midnight
“Tiny Travels” by Courtney Pippin-Mathur
Seeking artwork that celebrates the stories and fables that shaped us, from local legends to distant tales, from mythical beasts to heroes, villains and everyone in between. The artwork may be in any medium, 2-D or 3-D, realistic or abstract or any style in between.
The exhibit is open to all area artists. Del Ray Artisans members pay a discounted entry fee.
Entry Details & Form

RESCHEDULED - STEAM-tastic: Mandalas and Meows (Ages 6-10)
2025-02-16 09:00 - 10:30 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
UPDATE: This workshop has been rescheduled to Sunday, February 23, 9-10:30am.
Instructor: Suzan Ok Shumate
Date/Time: Sunday, February 16, 9-10:30am
Cost: $10/child
Class size: 1-15 participants
(Register in advance; drop-ins allowed, space permitting.)
Students will learn about the science and culture of mindfulness, as well as how creating mandalas can help support being mindful. In addition, they will explore how our pets keep us grounded in the present moment. For the hands-on portion, students also practice drawing geometric shapes to create their own cat-themed mandala.
The hands-on activity is for participants’ ages 6-10. 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.

RESCHEDULED - STEAM-tastic: Mandalas and Meows (Ages 10-15)
2025-02-16 10:30 - 12:00 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
UPDATE: This workshop has been rescheduled to Sunday, February 23, 10:30am-noon.
Instructor: Suzan Ok Shumate
Date/Time: Sunday, February 16, 10:30am-noon
Cost: $10/child
Class size: 1-15 participants
(Register in advance; drop-ins allowed, space permitting.)
Students will learn about the science and culture of mindfulness, as well as how creating mandalas can help support being mindful. In addition, they will explore how our pets keep us grounded in the present moment. For the hands-on portion, students also practice drawing geometric shapes to create their own cat-themed mandala.
The hands-on activity is for participants’ ages 10-15. 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.

Alcove Gift Shop Call for Artists Deadline
2025-02-17 23:59 | Online
Call for Artists ~ Open to Del Ray Artisans Members
Alcove Gift Shop
March 7 – April 26, 2025
Application deadline: Monday, February 17, 2025 by midnight

Del Ray Artisans’ Alcove is a gift shop within the gallery, where members (who apply and are accepted) display and sell their work. Unframed 2-D works are available in bins alongside jewelry, fiber art, wood craft, ceramics, and other smaller 3-D items.
The work will be displayed for two months, and as pieces are sold they can be replaced with similar work for no additional fee. This opportunity is independent of the monthly exhibits and is only open to Del Ray Artisans members. If you are not a member, you may join Del Ray Artisans now to enter.
Application Details & Form

Figure Drawing – Gesture and Short Poses Session
2025-02-18 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-02-25 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-03-18 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

Partners in Art Evening (RSVP in Advance)
2025-02-19 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-03-19 19:00 - 21:00 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
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.
View Upcoming Meetings

Nature Journaling Club 2025
2025-02-22 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

RESCHEDULED: Intro to Mindful Photography Workshop
2025-02-22 13:00 - 17:00 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
This workshop is being rescheduled. New date TBD.
Instructor: Rainbow-Wolf Sabin
Date/Time: Saturday, February 22, 1-5pm
Cost: $70 Del Ray Artisans member / $80 Non-member; Bring your camera or smartphone
Class size: 6-12 participants
(Register by midnight on February 19)
“Mindful” by Rainbow-Wolf Sabin
Sometimes we get stuck in seeing the world around us from the same perspective day after day. We get caught in our routines and hustle through our days without stopping to take pause, take notice of our surroundings in a meaningful way.
Using a camera lens (any camera lens will do—including your smartphone!) we will learn to notice and observe our surroundings from new perspectives. Mindfulness has been scientifically proven to promote an overall sense of well-being in its practitioners, however sometimes more traditional practices may not always resonate, and that’s okay. Through this workshop you can explore and learn the fundamental concepts of mindfulness through a fun and creative medium! All levels of experience with both photography and mindfulness are welcome—including none! This workshop does not focus on technical photography skills, but rather the experience of viewing ourselves, our immediate surroundings, and our connections to the world at large through a new and different lens.
This program focuses on teaching the fundamentals of mindfulness through fun and creative means. It utilizes photography as a tool to explore present moment awareness, curiosity, non-judgment and gratitude while viewing the world from a new perspective. This program does not focus on technical photography skills, so participants only need a smartphone, though all photography equipment is welcome. Part of the workshop will take place outdoors if weather permits, otherwise it will be adapted to take place indoors.
Participants will need access to some kind of camera—a smartphone will suffice, works great and is strongly encouraged, though participants can bring any camera they choose to work with, or multiple camera options. This workshop will mainly be inside, but may move outside for part of the time if weather permits.
Register Now

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

STEAM-tastic: Mandalas and Meows (Ages 6-10)
2025-02-23 09:00 - 10:30 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
Instructor: Suzan Ok Shumate
Date/Time: Sunday, February 23, 9-10:30am
Cost: $10/child
Class size: 1-15 participants
(Register in advance; drop-ins allowed, space permitting.)
Students will learn about the science and culture of mindfulness, as well as how creating mandalas can help support being mindful. In addition, they will explore how our pets keep us grounded in the present moment. For the hands-on portion, students also practice drawing geometric shapes to create their own cat-themed mandala.
The hands-on activity is for participants’ ages 6-10. 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.

STEAM-tastic: Mandalas and Meows (Ages 10-15)
2025-02-23 10:30 - 12:00 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
Instructor: Suzan Ok Shumate
Date/Time: Sunday, February 23, 10:30am-noon
Cost: $10/child
Class size: 1-15 participants
(Register in advance; drop-ins allowed, space permitting.)
Students will learn about the science and culture of mindfulness, as well as how creating mandalas can help support being mindful. In addition, they will explore how our pets keep us grounded in the present moment. For the hands-on portion, students also practice drawing geometric shapes to create their own cat-themed mandala.
The hands-on activity is for participants’ ages 10-15. 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.

Member Meeting & Art Supplies Swap
2025-02-23 16:00 - 18:00 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
Join fellow Del Ray Artisans members for the Member Meeting & Art Supplies Swap on Sunday, February 23 starting at 4pm.
Save the date for the first member meeting of 2025. Bring the supplies you no longer need and be ready to find a treasure in other’s discards.
We’ll begin with a short meeting, and then select “new to you” art supplies. Looking forward to seeing you at the gallery!
If you have any questions, please reach out the Membership Director, Kate Gibney, at Membership@DelRayArtisans.org.

Alcove Gift Shop at Del Ray Artisans (1/3 - 3/1/2025)
2025-03-01 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
Photo Album
The Alcove Gift Shop is open for 10 months of the year (closed in July and December for special events). New items will appear in the gift shop each week, and all the artwork is fully refreshed every two months. The current display runs January 3 – March 1, 2025.
All work featured in the gift shop is by Del Ray Artisans members. Unframed 2-D work is available in bins alongside jewelry, fiber art, wood craft, ceramics, and other smaller 3-D items. The gift shop is located in the alcove inside 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. Gallery hours are Thursdays 12-6pm, Fridays 12-9pm, Saturdays 12-6pm, and Sundays 12-6pm (closed on February 2 and March 2).
For more information, contact the curators Stephen Lally (slallypottery@gmail.com) and Rita Schooley (rlschooley@gmail.com).

Closed to the Public
2025-03-02 - 2025-03-05 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
This time is reserved for the curator to arrange the upcoming exhibit.

Artist Appointments
2025-03-02 12:00 - 18:00 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
The gallery is closed to the public today while the exhibit is taken down. This time is reserved for artists to pick up and drop off artwork. Contact the outgoing or incoming curators with any questions (contact info in the call for entry).
Unsold Artwork Pick Up
Time for artists to pick up their unsold artwork from the closing exhibit, MeWOW: Fabulous Felines.

Accepted Artwork Drop Off
Time for artists to drop off their accepted artwork entries for the upcoming exhibit, Fairy Tales Around the World. Artwork must be ready to hang (with screw eyes and wire) or ready for display (with mounting and/or a display stand if necessary). Review the standard artwork presentation guidelines and the call for entry for show specific information.

Volunteer
All artists participating in the exhibit are required to volunteer a minimum of 3 hours towards managing the show. Those hours can be filled by gallery hosting during the month of exhibit, assisting with show hanging or take down, and volunteering to help with other show-specific activities as needed by the curators. Any hours in excess of 3 hours will count towards the membership requirement. DRA members are reminded to report their volunteer hours monthly.

Fairy Tales Around the World at Del Ray Artisans Gallery
2025-03-07 - 2025-03-29 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
Fairy Tales Around the World Art Exhibit
March 7–29, 2025
Opening Reception: Friday, March 7 from 7–9pm
“Tiny Travels” by Courtney Pippin-Mathur
Remember your favorite stories as a child? The faraway lands, perilous journeys with magical characters and fantastic creatures? The Fairy Tales Around the World art exhibit celebrates the stories and fables that shaped us, from local legends to distant tales, from mythical beasts to heroes, villains and everyone in between.
Join us for the opening reception on Friday, March 7 between 7-9pm to meet curator Courtney Pippin-Mathur and the artists. Mark your calendar now or set a reminder through Eventbrite.
Register now for creative workshops held in conjunction with this exhibit:

Draw your Fairy Home in the Forest (for children ages 6-12 years old) on Saturday, March 8, 10am-12pm
Create a unique 3-D Paper Maché Fairy Tale Character (for teens 16+ years old and adults) on Fridays, March 14 and March 21, 6pm-9pm
Craft a fairy tale inspired Paper Maché Wall Hanging (for children ages 9-15 years old) on Saturdays, March 22 & March 29, 10am-1pm

The Fairy Tales Around the World art exhibit runs from March 7–29, 2025 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 March 30).
The gallery is free, open to the public, and accessible. Del Ray Artisans, a 501(3)(c) nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote art for the benefit of artists and the community.
For more information, contact curator Courtney Pippin-Mathur at courtney@pippinmathur.com or Director of Curating Amy Kitchin Hower at curating@delrayartisans.org.

"Fairy Tales Around the World" Art Exhibit Opening Reception
2025-03-07 19:00 - 21:00 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
Fairy Tales Around the World Art Exhibit
March 7–29, 2025
Opening Reception: Friday, March 7 from 7–9pm
Remember your favorite stories as a child? The faraway lands, perilous journeys with magical characters and fantastic creatures? The Fairy Tales Around the World art exhibit celebrates the stories and fables that shaped us, from local legends to distant tales, from mythical beasts to heroes, villains and everyone in between.
Join us for the opening reception on Friday, March 7 between 7-9pm to meet curator Courtney Pippin-Mathur and the artists. Mark your calendar now or set a reminder through Eventbrite.
Register now for creative workshops held in conjunction with this exhibit:

Draw your Fairy Home in the Forest (for children ages 6-12 years old) on Saturday, March 8, 10am-12pm
Create a unique 3-D Paper Maché Fairy Tale Character (for teens 16+ years old and adults) on Fridays, March 14 and March 21, 6pm-9pm
Craft a fairy tale inspired Paper Maché Wall Hanging (for children ages 9-15 years old) on Saturdays, March 22 & March 29, 10am-1pm

The Fairy Tales Around the World art exhibit runs from March 7–29, 2025 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 March 30).
The gallery is free, open to the public, and accessible. Del Ray Artisans, a 501(3)(c) nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote art for the benefit of artists and the community.
For more information, contact curator Courtney Pippin-Mathur at courtney@pippinmathur.com or Director of Curating Amy Kitchin Hower at curating@delrayartisans.org.

Artwork credit: “Tiny Travels” by Courtney Pippin-Mathur

STEAM-tastic: Fairy Home in the Forest Workshop (Ages 6-12; Register ASAP)
2025-03-08 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, March 8, 10am-12pm
Cost: $25/child
Class size: 4-20 participants
(Register in advance; walk-ins welcome only if space permits)
Draw your own fairy home using markers and paint to capture even the tiniest of details.
Young artists will use picture books, drawings, and their creativity to create a 2D home for their imaginary fairies that includes variations on fairy homes, mushrooms, leaves, flowers, insects and more. All supplies included.
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.
This workshop is held in conjunction with the Fairy Tales Around the World art exhibit.
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.

Del Ray Urban Sketchers 2025
2025-03-09 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 (CANCELLED)
2025-03-10 14:00 - 16:00 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
UPDATE: The Monday, March 10, 2025 session has been cancelled. Please join us on the next scheduled date.
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

“Synchronous” Call for Entry Deadline (Invitational Exhibit)
2025-03-10 23:59 | Online
Call for Entry ~ Only open by invitation to outstanding member volunteers
Synchronous
Exhibit Dates: April 4-26, 2025
Digital entry deadline: March 10, 2025 by midnight
“Synchronous Humanity” by Morgan Parr
Synchronous is a special exhibit designed to provide our most dedicated Del Ray Artisans volunteers with an opportunity to share their creative work. These members help make Del Ray Artisans a thriving organization that fosters community and acceptance. This exhibit is an open theme-all media, 2D & 3D works are acceptable.
Honored volunteers will receive a special invitation to participate in this exhibit. You must be invited, and your membership must be current to enter. If your membership has expired, you may renew now. A list of invited members is in the Call for Entry (select the button below).
Entry Details & Form

Board of Directors Meeting (ONLINE)
2025-03-11 19:00 - 21:00 | Online
This Board meeting will an online meeting through Zoom.
Active members are welcome to attend any Board meeting. If you wish to address the Board or bring something up to the Board during one of these meetings, contact Margaret Slipek at Secretary@DelRayArtisans.org at least four days in advance of the meeting to be included on the agenda and receive the Zoom session link.

RESCHEDULED: Unleash Your Creativity: Acrylic Painting Class
2025-03-13 18:00 - 20:00 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
This workshop is being rescheduled. Please contact the Programs Director at programs@delrayartisans.org with any questions.
Instructor: Edom Alagaw, E21edomgeta@gmail.com
Date/Time: Thursday, March 13, 6-8pm
Cost: $32 Del Ray Artisans member / $42 Non-member; participants bring own supplies
Class size: 6-12 participants
(Register by midnight on March 11)
Join our acrylic painting class and unleash your creativity! This class is perfect for beginners and experienced artists alike. You’ll learn essential techniques, such as color mixing, brushwork, and layering, while creating your own vibrant masterpiece. Our step-by-step instruction ensures a fun and supportive environment where you can explore your artistic potential. Bring your own acrylic paints and brushes and enjoy a relaxing, inspiring experience.
Materials you must bring to class:

Acrylic Paints: A basic set of primary colors (red, blue, yellow), plus black and white. You may expand with secondary colors (green, orange, purple) and some earth tones (brown, sienna).
Brushes: A variety of brush sizes and shapes, including flat, round, and detail brushes. Synthetic brushes are suitable for acrylics.
Palette: A palette for mixing your paints. A plastic or glass palette is ideal, but a disposable paper palette also works.
Canvas or Painting Surface: Stretched canvas, canvas boards, or canvas paper. For beginners, canvas boards or paper are usually more economical.
Palette Knife: For mixing paints and creating texture on your painting.
Water Container: A container for rinsing your brushes.
Cloths/Paper Towels: For cleaning brushes and wiping up spills.
Apron/Old Clothes: Acrylic paint can be hard to remove from fabric once dry, so wear something you don’t mind getting messy.
Spray Bottle: To keep your paints moist on the palette.
Pencil and Eraser: For sketching your initial design on the canvas.
Storage Box/Bag: To keep all your supplies organized and easy to transport.

Optional materials:

Easel: A tabletop easel if you prefer to paint at an angle, though this is optional and depends on your comfort.
Mixing Mediums: Optional, but you might want to have some acrylic mediums like gloss medium, matte medium, or modeling paste to experiment with different textures and finishes.

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

CANCELED: 3-D Paper Mache Fairy Tale Character Workshop (teens 16+ and adults)
2025-03-14 18:00 - 21:00 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
This workshop has been cancelled.
Instructor: Courtney Pippin-Mathur
Date/Time: Fridays, March 14 and March 21, 6-9pm
Cost: $50 Del Ray Artisans member / $60 Non-member; Plus $7 Supply Fee
Class size: 6-12 participants
(Register by midnight on March 11)
Ever dreamed of being a witch, wizard, princess or ogre? Join this workshop to learn to create your own hand-held magical and fairy tale inspired characters. And to make it extra fun, we are doing it with paper mache! Get connected with your inner child as you get messy. Bring any favorite fairy tale inspiration to jump right in.
We start with cardboard, wire and tape to build the armature, add layers with paper mache and come back a week later to paint and add your own special details!
This two-session class is for adults and older teens (16+ years old). Each session is three hours but some students might finish early. All supplies are provided but if you have any thin cardboard you’d like to upcycle, bring it along!
This workshop is held in conjunction with the Fairy Tales Around the World art exhibit.

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

Volunteer in the Gardens
2025-03-15 09:00 - 11:00 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
Give some TLC to Del Ray Artisans’ gardens! Join the Gardens Committee to spruce up the landscaping around the gallery.
Bring gloves, knee pads (if desired), and laughter. Even if you don’t know what a weed is, we can teach you. Volunteer for 1 hour or the whole 2.5 hours. If you have any questions, please email Kurt at Gardens@DelRayArtisans.org.
MEMBERS: This task counts towards your annual membership volunteer hours (record your hours).
NON-MEMBERS: You are welcome to come help and learn too.
Save the Dates: During the season (March-October), the committee typically meets the third Saturday of the month from 9am-11am. In June, July, and August, we’ll meet an hour earlier (8am-10am) to avoid the heat. The June session will be a week earlier on Saturday, June 14th; and the September session has been rescheduled to Sunday, September 21st to avoid conflict with the HalloWEIRD art market. Thank you for your volunteer time!

NOTE: All plantings and transplantings must be approved by the Garden Committee. The Garden Committee approval is important to make sure the plants that get chosen are great for nature, located properly for the right amount of sun or shade, don’t conflict with other plants or facility needs, and fit into the overall garden plan with maintenance in mind.

STEAM-tastic: 2-D Paper Mache Room Decoration (Ages 9-15; Register ASAP)
2025-03-22 10:00 - 13:00 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
Instructor Courtney Pippin-Mathur
Instructor: Courtney Pippin-Mathur
Date/Time: Saturdays, March 22 & March 29, 10am-1pm
Cost: $25/child
Class size: 4-12 participants
(Register in advance; Walk-ins welcome if space permits)
Do you love fairy tales? Create your own fairy-tale inspired character to hang up in your room. Let your imagination run wild, from heroes who are scared, to damsels who don’t care, villains who love jelly beans, monsters who want to help and everything in between!
Bring your favorite fairy tale character ideas to get started right away. We use cardboard, paper mache and paint, so come prepared to get messy.
On day 1, you will design your fairy tale character and create your design into a paper mache wall piece. Paper mache takes a few days to dry so you will come back on the 2nd date to paint and finalize your wall piece. The sessions are three hours each, but some students might finish early. Students must be accompanied by an adult who can assist with cutting cardboard. (Only the student needs to register; there is no fee for assisting adults.)
The hands-on activity is for participants’ ages 9-15 years old. Family members are welcome to attend, listen, and learn. Please contact the Youth Programs Director at youth@delrayartisans.org with any questions.
This workshop is held in conjunction with the Fairy Tales Around the World art exhibit.
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.

RESCHEDULED: Playing with Resin Workshop
2025-03-23 18:00 - 21:00 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
This workshop has been rescheduled to Sunday, April 20.
Instructor: Tracy Wilkerson, recycledworks@yahoo.com
Date/Time: Sunday, March 23, 6-9pm
Cost: $40 Del Ray Artisans member / $50 Non-member; plus a $10 Supply Fee
Class size: 6-12 participants
(Register by March 20)
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).

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

Advanced Resin Techniques Lecture (Register ASAP)
2025-03-24 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, March 24, 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.
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View other upcoming workshops, information about the facility and policies on the Upcoming Workshops page.
