Alexandria, VA – Is there an official arts month in Alexandria? If there were, it would have to be October. The Del Ray community hosted its 30th annual Art on the Avenue during a picture-postcard perfect fall Saturday, October 4.
The ever-expanding regional event, which began with about 50 artists participating in 1995 and now boasts well over 300, routinely attracts around 50,000 patrons each year. This beloved celebration of all things artful, along with the Torpedo Factory Art Center and Metro Stage in Old Town, is what helps make our town ALX ARTastic.
October is officially the National Arts and Humanities Month. To honor that spirit within the Alexandria arts community, the City of Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities – Office of Arts kicked off the first-ever State of Arts ALX event on October 15 at the Boeing Auditorium of the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus.
Diane Ruggiero, Deputy Director of Cultural Activities, RPCA, explained, “This curated forum celebrates Alexandria’s vibrant arts community by showcasing the work of the Office of the Arts and honoring individuals and organizations that shape the City’s creative landscape. The event is designed for artists and their art’s missions to be seen.”
A TALE of TWO GALLERIES
Did you know that Old Town’s Principle Gallery has a sister space in equally historic Charleston, S.C.? Alexandrian Elizabeth Floyd’s exquisite, poetically floral paintings, as seen in her Charleston “Grandiflora” solo exhibition the past month, remain well-represented at both north and south galleries.
Canadian Mark Laguë’s and Claudio Cionini’s eloquent urban landscapes share the spotlight this month at the Old Town gallery located in the Gilpin House at 208 King Street. Formerly the storied Gilpin Book Store for twenty years, the Principle Gallery showcases artwork in a Federal townhouse built by George Gilpin in the 1790s.
The eclectic layout and centuries of improvements provide an inviting atmosphere in which to experience the premier ALX Contemporary Realism gallery. The art on exhibit can be progressive and provocative as well as plaintive and pastoral. Find your art there this month! The next opening reception is November 14 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
NEW at NEPENTHE
Exhibiting Romare Bearden’s extraordinary original The Piano Lesson (Homage to Mary Lou) last month is a tough act to follow. This illustrious collage masterpiece from so iconic an African American artist was inspired by the cutout works of French Modernist Henri Matisse. Bearden’s depiction of a piano teacher watchfully standing over her student in a typical southern parlor evokes personal childhood reverie and memories of mentorship imparting wisdom.
This ardently transportive image inspired playwright August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson and in turn the Netflix film production of both the 1990 Broadway premiere and reprise via the 2022 revival. During the unveiling of The Piano Lesson, Nepenthe Gallery owner Carrie Garland exclaimed, “It gives me chills being in its presence!” The power of this picture is profoundly palpable. Check nepenthegallery.com for information on weekly Thursday events and more.
DEL RAY ARTISANS FALL DOINGS
It’s a small world after all at Del Ray Artisans for the month of November. Curators Betsey Jones, Kellie Sansone, and Mallory Henig present The Mini World: Small Works of Art from November 7 to 30. Artwork on exhibit is 10 inches or less and no more than 80 square inches.
If you are space-challenged, running out of empty walls, or even if you are not, come explore the world of the miniature and artfully downsized. The holiday shopping season is coming and with small works come commensurately less pricey pieces that stretch your gift-giving power, especially advantageous these days when the purchase power of the pocketbook is shrinking.
