Drips, Lines, Splatters, and Splash (5/6-5/28)

Drips, Lines, Splatters, and Splash: A Celebration of the Washington Color School Art Exhibit
May 6–28, 2022

Photo Album

Drips, Lines, Splatters, and Splash: A Celebration of the Washington Color School is the May exhibit at Del Ray Artisans, now celebrating 30 years as a non-profit fine arts organization in Alexandria. Both representational and abstract expressions of color, line, movement, and sense of space are explored.

The exhibit was inspired by and celebrates the work of Morris Louis, Gene Davis, Jacob Kainen, among other founders and followers of the Washington Color School, a group of abstract painters who formed the movement in the 1950s and 1960s in rebellion against the art establishment of the day. The exhibit is curated by Kelly MacConomy.

The special guest juror is Washington area painter Barbara Januszkiewicz, who studied with two well-known members of the Washington Color School, Paul Reed and Hilda Thorpe. Barbara’s organic abstractions are transcendental, bold and oftentimes colossal, composed with a masterful brushstroke.

“Januszkiewicz’s pictures can resemble Morris Louis’s florals, yet her style is hotter, with a hint of the abstract expressionism the Color School abandoned.” ~ The Washington Post

In addition to seeing the art exhibit, join us for these special events and workshops:

• Making Art Splash, First Thursday Del Ray, May 5 from 6-9pm.
  Come create a “Washington Color Rule-the-School” canvas in Colasanto Park outside the gallery and recreate a Gene Davis Stripe Sidewalk Painting.
• Art Exhibit Opening Day, Friday, May 6 from 12-9pm.
  Join us on opening day for the widest selection of artwork. Mark your calendar now or set a reminder through Eventbrite.
• Spring Art Market 2022, Saturday, May 7 from 10am-4pm in Colasanto Park outside Del Ray Artisans Gallery ~ Rain or Shine! Shop original work from local artists—perfect for gifts, Mother’s Day, or treat yourself.
• Making Mosaic Art Workshop, May 9-11 (Monday-Wednesday) from 6-9pm each evening.
  Create an 8″ x 8″ mosaic for indoor display, using a variety of materials such as stained glass, vitreous tiles and other beautiful glass. Instructor Shona D’Cruz leads this 3-day workshop for beginners to intermediate.
• Fun With Beginning Watercolor Techniques Workshop, Saturday, May 14 from 9am-12pm.
  Learn basic watercolor skills, explore ways to tame the medium, and have some fun. Instructor Ellen Rosenthal designed the workshop for beginners, but students of all levels are welcome.
• Intro to Bookmaking and Bookbinding Workshop, Monday, May 16 and Wednesday, May 18 from 7-10pm both evenings.
  Instructor Cristin Guinan-Wiley will teach you how to create a long stitch journal (one of the many styles of exposed spine sewing). On the first evening we will create the exterior of the book, and on the second evening we will prepare the spine and paper and sew the signatures.
• Colors, Shapes, and Scents Soap-Making Workshop, Saturday, May 21 from 10am-1pm.
  Instructor Suzan Ok will lead you through creating your own bright, fun, scented soaps using a moisturizing shea butter base, premium fragrance oils, and skin-safe colorants.

Register in advance for workshops. Details and registration is at DelRayArtisans.org/workshops

The Drips, Lines, Splatters and Splash: A Celebration of the Washington Color School exhibit runs May 6–28, 2022 at Del Ray Artisans gallery in the Colasanto Center, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, Virginia 22301. Gallery hours are First Thursday (Apr-Sept) 12-9pm, Thursday 12-6pm, Friday 12-9pm, Saturday 12-6pm, and Sunday 12-6pm (closed the last Sunday of the month).

Face masks are recommended while inside the gallery. The gallery is free, open to the public, and accessible.

For more information, contact the curator and Director of Outreach Kelly MacConomy at Outreach@DelRayArtisans.org.

Artwork credit: (ABOVE) “Genius, After Hours” by Barbara Januszkiewicz, acrylic on canvas, 48 x 60 x 3″; (TOP) “Moonshadow” by Barbara Januszkiewicz, acrylic on canvas, private collection