Sixteen Alexandria area artists have been selected to exhibit their talents in the Regional Artists Juried Exhibition to be held Sept. 11 and 12 in conjunction with the second annual Alexandria Festival of the Arts.
"More than 40 artists applied to participate in the exhibition and 24 were selected from throughout the Northern Virginia region," said Laura Overstreet, vice president, Communications, Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association (ACVA).
"This new addition to the Festival gives artists living or working in Northern Virginia the opportunity to reach a wide audience of art lovers. It will feature one selection from each artist which will be available for purchase during the weekend," she said.
In addition to the juried artists, this year's Festival weekend will also feature a regional performing artists program. It will held at the City docks, immediately behind the Torpedo Factory Art Center, on Saturday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Those Alexandrians selected for the juried exhibition were: Beth S. Beck, Christine Bernstein, Kathryn A. Brown, Kimberley Bush, Jennifer Maben Bishop, Barbara Chiminello, Jack Daily, Margaret Huddy, Paula Lantz, Marlin Lord, Joanne Madison, Nicole V. Miller, K. Alexa Murphy, Patrick M. O'Brien, Lise Schioler, and Eve Stocker.
Performers selected to present their talents on the dock were:
Saturday - Jim Anderson, comedian; Michele Swan, vocalist; Alexandria Singers; Braeded Cord, vocals; Elain Muray, storyteller; Amazing Mauney, magician; Suzanne Michele, jazz vocalist; Marcus Williams, jazz; and Doris Justis & Peter Marinovich, folk music.
Sunday - Port City Playhouse; SPUR Instrumentals; Happy Feet, cloggers; Jim Heald, folk music; APAA contest winners; and Mount Vernon Orchestra Woodwind Quintet.
This year's Festival of the Arts, which kicks off Alexandria's Fall for the Arts season, will consume all of lower King Street from the river to Washington Street. One more block, St. Asaph to Washington, than the 2003 show.
THE REGIONAL ARTISTS Juried Exhibition will be located in the block from Union Street to the Potomac River. Six blocks, from Union to Washington streets, will be devoted to Alexandria Festival of the Arts, produced by Howard Allen Events, Ltd.
"King Street will be transformed into an outdoor gallery featuring 200 of the nation's top award winning artists," said Jo Anne Mitchell, president and CEO, ACVA. Artisans will be displaying works of sculpture, painting, photography, glass, jewelry, and many other mediums, according to ACVA.
Local artists are also featured in the main Festival. More than 20 of the 200 are from the region, including Maryland and the District of Columbia. Among that group are an additional seven artists from Alexandria.
This year's Festival is being produced in cooperation with the City of Alexandria, the Alexandria Commission for the Arts and ACVA. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, September 11, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, September 12.
T-shirts and posters featuring an original graphic design of the City's sculpture named "Brio," which graces Market Square in front of City Hall, will be sold throughout the weekend. "Proceeds will go to the Alexandria Commission on the Arts to continue their efforts to raise the profile of local artists, both visual and performing, in future festivals," Overstreet said.
In preparation for the two day event, Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities is recruiting volunteers to assist in controlling vehicular and pedestrian traffic as well as in a variety of logistical tasks. They will also serve as welcome ambassadors to assist festival crowds and artists.
Interested volunteers must be willing to commit to at least one three hour shift on either festival day, according to Barbara Gordon, City Public Information Officer. Call Debbie Brown Anderson at 703-838-4343 Ext.229 or send an e-mail to debbie.anderson@alexandriava.gov.
Additional festival information is available at the Ramsey House Visitors Center, 221 King St., or by calling 888-738-2764 or visiting ACVA's website at www.FunSide.com.