Exhibit Dates: September 7–30, 2018
Opening Reception: Friday, September 7 from 7-9pm
In Ecclesiastes it is written that “there is nothing good for a man under the sun except to eat and to drink and to be merry.” The Eat, Drink, and Be Merry exhibit celebrates the way that food and drink bring people together and joy to our lives. Art exhibited is inspired by food, real or metaphorical, that nourishes the viewer. In addition, the rituals and places that celebrate the social gathering around sustenance are highlighted. It is a hybrid show that combines a national ceramic show focused on vessels for the table—cups, bowls, and plates that contain and celebrate the dining table and food, with a regional two-dimensional and non-ceramic three-dimensional show that echoes these themes. The exhibit runs September 7-30, 2018.
The juror for this exhibit is Lisa York, a nationally and internationally recognized potter, who was an artist-in-residence at the Sanbao Ceramic Art Institute in Jingdezhen, China, the International Ceramics[s1] Studio in Kecskemet, Hungary, and the Residency for Ceramics, Berlin, Germany. Local Del Ray businesses including Let’s Meat on the Avenue, Artifacts, Inc. Custom Framing, and Junction Bakery and Bistro [8/4/2018 Update: and St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub] are sponsoring awards for the best artwork. Please join us for the opening reception on Friday, September 7 from 7-9pm. Come enjoy the artwork and mingle with artists and art appreciators during this unveiling of the exhibit.
In conjunction with the exhibit, the juror, Lisa York, is conducting a workshop, Bowls and Plates with Nice Curves, that will be hosted by The Clay Queen Pottery in Del Ray (Saturday, September 8 from 10am-4pm). This demonstration workshop explores how the curves and form of a plate or bowl functions in the home, the use of geometric shapes as part of surface decorations, and a variety of thrown and alteration techniques. After the demonstration, Lisa will review the exhibit and provide insight into the jurying process. Event details and registration are at DelRayArtisans.org/event/bowls-and-plates
The Eat, Drink, and Be Merry National Ceramic Show and Regional Art Exhibit is at Del Ray Artisans gallery in the Colasanto Center, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, Virginia 22301. Gallery hours are: First Thursdays (April-September) 12-9pm, Thursdays 12-6pm, Fridays 12-9pm, Saturdays 12-9pm, and Sundays 12-6pm. The gallery is free, open to the public, and accessible.
For more information, please visit www.DelRayArtisans.org/event/eat-drink-be-merry or contact the curator Stephen Lally (slallypottery@gmail.com) or Director of Curating Kathy Turner (Curating@DelRayArtisans.org).
Del Ray Artisans, founded in 1992, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote art for the benefit of artists and the community.
Del Ray Artisans (DRA) appreciates the continued support from the City of Alexandria, Alexandria Commission for the Arts, Virginia Commission for the Arts, and National Endowment for the Arts. DRA is a 501(c)(3) organization.
Art Exhibit
Short Blurb – 35 words or fewer
“Eat, Drink, and Be Merry,” a national ceramic show at Del Ray Artisans (September 7-30, 2018), celebrates dining and food with a regional art exhibit echoing these themes. Reception is Friday, September 7, 7-9pm. www.DelRayArtisans.org/event/eat-drink-be-merry
Synopsis – 75 words or fewer
“Eat, Drink, and Be Merry” celebrates the way food and drink bring people together and joy to our lives. Art inspired by food, real or metaphorical, that nourishes the viewer is exhibited. This exhibit (September 7-30, 2018) combines a national ceramic show focused on vessels for the table with a regional art exhibit. Opening Reception: Friday, September 7, 7-9pm. View at Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria. Details: www.DelRayArtisans.org/event/eat-drink-be-merry
Workshop
Short Blurb – 35 words or fewer
Ceramic artist Lisa York presents “Bowls and Plates with Nice Curves” (September 8, 10am-4pm) at The Clay Queen Pottery. The demonstration explores curves and form, surface decorations, thrown and alteration techniques. Details: DelRayArtisans.org/event/bowls-and-plates
Synopsis – 75 words or fewer
“Eat, Drink, and Be Merry” juror, Lisa York, presents “Bowls and Plates with Nice Curves” (September 8, 10am-4pm) at The Clay Queen Pottery. This demonstration workshop explores how the curves and form of a plate or bowl functions in the home, the use of geometric shapes as part of surface decorations, and a variety of thrown and alteration techniques; plus provides insight into the jurying process. $65 Del Ray Artisans members, $75 non-members. DelRayArtisans.org/event/bowls-and-plates