By Maureen Schweers
Alexandria, VA – Del Ray’s signature celebration of creativity, community, and culture hits a milestone this fall, as Art on the Avenue marks its 30th anniversary on Saturday, Oct. 4. Bringing together more than 350 artists, live music, international food, and family-friendly fun, Art on the Avenue has grown from a small neighborhood gathering into one of the region’s top arts events—all while staying true to its local roots.
“It used to be just a couple blocks when we first started, and it’s just gone bigger and bigger and better,” said retired Alexandria City High School’s visual arts department chair Beth Coast, who participated in the very first Art on the Avenue. “It definitely has a neighborhood, family feel. I see former students, current students, and their parents — I always love seeing that — and so many people that you know, neighbors, everybody — that’s the fun part. You feel like you know everybody.”
It’s that local involvement that artists and festival-goers say sets Art on the Avenue apart from other events. Despite its tremendous growth, Art on the Avenue remains entirely volunteer-run with support from the local business community.
“Art on the Avenue has grown over the past 30 years and I am proud to say it has remained locally produced,” said Art on the Avenue founder Pat Miller. “The Del Ray community makes Art on the Avenue—over 250 volunteers, local musicians and performers, and sponsors. We have always been able to maintain and build on local involvement.”
Artist Lisa Schumaier, who lives just blocks from the festival footprint, recruits neighbors each year to walk her vibrant paper mache animals down to her booth. “I love how it’s really kept the neighborhood feel… it’s always such a great day to say ‘hi’ to all your friends and your really good customers—it’s a good place to connect with your art community, too.”
Since the beginning, Art on the Avenue has required that all artists are present at the festival, creating long-term connections between artists and attendees. “I love that Art on the Avenue is really careful about the artists they choose—that the artist who created the art is the one who’s selling it,” said Schumaier. “I think that’s really important. It’s just so much more fun when you actually get to meet the artist, talk to the artist, and learn the stories about the artwork. It’s really wonderful that as Art on the Avenue has grown, it’s remained that way.”
Don’t miss these “legacy artists” who are celebrating over two decades at Art on the Avenue and represent the diversity of artists and mediums featured at the festival:
Sara Baker, Sara Baker Handmade Stoneware
SaraBakerHandmadeStoneware.com
Functional kitchenware, each uniquely shaped and finished, hand-thrown, altered, glazed, and fired
Michele Banks, Artologica
Ink and watercolor paintings inspired by science, with themes ranging from neuroscience to microbiology
Jonathan Blum, Jonathan Blum Portraits
Fictitious and realistic portraits in a wide range of mediums, including paintings, drawing, collages, monoprints, and woodcuts
Diane Cairns, Virginia Stained Glass
Whimsical stained glass panels, boxes, ornaments, and suncatchers
Beth Coast, Beth Coast Pottery
Bold, colorful, and functional pottery
Tsolmon Damba, Tsolmon-Art
Hand-painted original watercolor, ink, and oil paintings
Jennifer Davies-Reazor, The Art of Jennifer Davies-Reazor
Ceramics, beads, and gemstones inspired by myth, magic, and nature
Violet Drury, Violet Drury Designs
Handcrafted gemstone jewelry
Clydelle Griffin, Handmade Especially For You
Women’s scarves, earrings, purses, tote bags, fringed scarfs, jackets, wraps, and fleece scarves
Karen Jabo, Karen Jabo Jewelry
Handmade sterling silver jewelry
Jules Jernigan, Jules Jewels
Hand-fabricated sterling, gold, and gemstone jewelry
Beth Kiesner, Earthwear Tie Dyes
Hand-dyed tie-dye
Renata Kunkel, Renata Mastroti Pottery
Pottery featuring carving, piercing, leaf decoration, layering, and resists
Jenae Michelle, range of emotion
Bags, gloves, scarves, and garments created from upcycled and vintage textiles
Avner Ofer, Avner Ofer Photography
International travel photography printed on archival paper canvas and aluminum
Lynda Prioleau, Mat-Lyn Designs
Hand-dyed, hand-painted, and quilted wall hangings described as “positive graffiti”
Ginger Reuling, Fly Home Birdhouses
Fun and functional birdhouses made of solid, hand-cut copper and painted wood
Lisa Schumaier, Keenthings
Sculptures created with hand-built ceramics, paper mache, recycled items, and found objects
Donna Silvestri, on u jewelry
Eco-chic hand-knotted, and hand-crocheted, jewelry featuring ancient-to-vintage materials
Leah Sturgis, Leah Sturgis Jewelry Art
Handmade jewelry that captures the mystery of wild elements in structured, clean designs
Joel Traylor, Joel Traylor Art
Bold, original paintings—plus prints on neckties, puzzles, tea towels, and umbrellas
Art on the Avenue takes place on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mount Vernon Avenue between Hume and Bellefonte Avenues, featuring over 350 artists, four stages of live music, free children’s crafts, international food, a pie baking contest, and more. The event is free and open to all. Free trolley transportation will be provided from Braddock Road and Potomac Yard Metros. For more information, visit www.artontheavenue.org.
