Life Drawing – Gesture and Short Poses Session
2026-08-18 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-08-25 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-09-10 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-09-22 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-10-06 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-10-27 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
Drop-in and practice figure drawing on select Tuesday and Thursday 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 $10 for Del Ray Artisans members and $15 for non-members. If you have any questions or would like to participate as a model for our sessions, please contact 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

Del Ray Urban Sketchers (location TBD)
2026-08-20 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-09-17 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-10-15 19:00 - 21:00 | VA
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 TBD 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.
Del Ray Urban Sketchers operates on a drop-in basis and meets on the third Sunday of the month (except not in July, August, and December) at St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub in Del Ray, as well as on the third Thursday of most months at a time and location that is varied (view upcoming dates).
This program is FREE! Donations appreciated. Contact the organizer, KC Hodge (email coming soon), with any questions.
RSVP via Eventbrite coming soon.
View Upcoming Dates

Photo courtesy of Joan Bickelhaupt

Nature Journaling Club
2026-08-29 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-09-26 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-10-31 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). Mark your calendar or set a reminder in Eventbrite.
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 to our nonprofit arts organization are appreciated.
For more information, contact the coordinators: Stephanie Darlene Greenwald (stephanie@stephaniedarlene.com) and Meredith D’Amore (meredith.w.damore@gmail.com).
RSVP (Optional) | View Upcoming Dates

Artwork credit: Drawing by Meredith D’Amore

Closed to the Public
2026-08-30 - 2026-09-02, 2026-09-27 - 2026-09-30 | 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.

Flora, Fauna, Fantastica at VCA Alexandria (9/22/2025 – 9/5/2026)
2026-09-05 | VCA Alexandria Animal Hospital, 2660 Duke St, Alexandria, VA, 22314, United States
Flora, Fauna, Fantastica Art Exhibit at VCA Alexandria Animal Hospital
September 22, 2025 – September 5, 2026
Photo Album | Online Store
The Flora, Fauna, Fantastica exhibit features two-dimensional artwork by Del Ray Artisans members at VCA Alexandria Animal Hospital (2660 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314) in a variety of media and styles, from the traditional to the surreal, showcasing nature.
Come see the exhibit September 22, 2025 through September 5, 2026. The animal hospital is open Monday-Friday 8am-7pm, Saturday 8am-6pm. Due to client needs, some areas may not be available for immediate viewing. Visitors must let the front desk know they are there to view the art exhibit.
The exhibit is a Del Ray Artisans’ Gallery Without Walls exhibit in partnership with VCA Alexandria. 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, please contact the curators Liz Martinez (GWW@DelRayArtisans.org) and Candace Flanagan (Candace.Flanagan@vca.org).
“The Usual Trail” by A. Charles Warren
“Hairy Coo Kiss” by Rod Whyte

Board of Directors Meeting (ONLINE)
2026-09-08 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-10-13 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.

"Carnival of Curiosities" Call for Entry Deadline
2026-09-10 23:59 | Online
Call for Entry ~ Open to area artists
Carnival of Curiosities
Exhibit Dates: October 2–31, 2026
Digital entry deadline: Thursday, September 10, 2026 by midnight
Step right up and enter a carnival of curiosities where all manner of carnival-themed art—silly or dark, from food and lights to games, rides, music, costumes, and more—is welcome to dazzle, delight, and maybe even bite!
The exhibit is open to all area artists. Del Ray Artisans members pay a discounted entry fee.
Entry form coming soon.

Del Ray Urban Sketchers @ St. Elmo's Coffee Pub
2026-09-13 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-10-11 13:00 - 15:00 | St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub, 2300 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
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 St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub (2300 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22301) 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.
Del Ray Urban Sketchers operates on a drop-in basis and meets on the second Sunday of the month (except not in July, August, and December) at St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub in Del Ray, as well as on the third Thursday of most months at a time and location that is varied (view upcoming dates).
This program is FREE! Donations appreciated. 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 (RSVP in Advance)
2026-09-14 14:00 - 16:00, 2026-10-05 14:00 - 16:00 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
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.
RSVP to Mila Mateu (milaenartes@gmail.com) and Suzanne Tillman (zannet@verizon.net) for details before the day of the meeting.
View Upcoming Meetings

Partners in Art Evening (RSVP in Advance)
2026-09-15 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-10-20 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

Radical Sewing Club-ALX
2026-09-20 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-10-24 10:00 - 12:00 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
Welcome to Radical Sewing Club-ALX!
Started in LA by Scout Quiquivix, the Alexandria chapter is a monthly drop-in style meeting where you can learn clothing repair, hand and machine sewing, or bring your own project to work on with the community.
Radical Sewing Club is about more than sewing–it’s a space to reimagine craft outside of capitalism, to resist exploitation and oppression, and to stitch together a world based on care and solidarity. All who share these values are welcome.
Registration: Registration is not required, but you may set a reminder in Eventbrite.
Cost: Recommended donation of $10 or pay what you can. No one turned away for lack of funds! Monetary donations will be split between Del Ray Artisans (our wonderful hosts) and Radical Sewing Club for continued materials.
Have materials to donate? We welcome fabric (full cuts and scraps alike), thread, needles, interfacing, embroidery hoops, buttons, pins, trims, lace, and functional zippers.
Contact: radicalsewingclubalx@pm.me or @radicalsewingclub_alx on Instagram
View All Upcoming Dates

Live From Your Studio - Connect with fellow DRA artists
2026-09-20 14:00 - 15:30, 2026-10-18 14:00 - 15:30 | Online
Live From Your Studio is a free, members-only, virtual gathering where Del Ray Artisans members can connect from their art-making space. This virtual event will take place monthly on the third Sunday of the month (excluding December) over Zoom. Artists are encouraged (but not required) to join from their studios and make art during the session. These events will allow members to paint and create art together, and forge deeper connections to other members.
RSVP at least a week before the gathering to help organizers prepare. Zoom connection information will be emailed to you two days before the gathering. If you have any questions, please contact organizer Laura Flynn Geissel at flynnmail52@proton.me and Membership Director Kara Macek at membership@delrayartisans.org.
Not a member? It’s easy to join Del Ray Artisans. Artist ($30-$110) and Patron ($250+) level memberships enjoy exhibition and program privileges. Supporter level memberships ($40/year) do not have exhibition privileges, but supporters have program privileges and may participate in programs such as this one!
Although this is a free event, as a nonprofit organization, donations are always welcome to support our mission of promoting art for the benefit of artists and the community. Donate online or at the gallery.
RSVP Now

Creative Book Club
2026-10-10 10:00 - 12:00 | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301, United States
Book: TBD
Facilitator: Marshall Carolus
Meeting Date: Saturday, October 10, 10am-12pm
(Drop-in, set a reminder in Eventbrite – link will be available after the book is selected)
The Creative Book Club meets on select Saturday mornings at Del Ray Artisans gallery to discuss readings by a variety of authors. The club is open to all who are interested in keeping their creative muse flowing and connecting with other creative people. This is a free event; donations are appreciated. Del Ray Artisans is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization. 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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"$125 and Under" Call for Entry Deadline
2026-10-10 23:59 | Online
Call for Entry ~ Open to area artists
$125 and Under
Exhibit Dates: November 6–29, 2026
Digital entry deadline: Saturday, October 10, 2026 by midnight
MEMBERS: Submit works that are priced at $125 or less.
The exhibit is open only to Del Ray Artisans members.
Entry form coming soon.
