The Naked and the Newt Art Exhibit at Del Ray Artisans Gallery

Come see The Naked and the Newt: Studies in Human and Herpeton Anatomy art exhibit to see how artists explore the human body and reptiles / amphibians / herpetons. This exhibition investigates conceptions of anatomy, texture, and conservation with our partners, the Virginia Herpetological Society, and runs June 4-26, 2021 at Del Ray Artisans gallery in the Colasanto Center, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, Virginia 22301. Gallery hours are Thursdays 12-6pm, Fridays 12-6pm, and Saturdays 12-4pm. The gallery is free, open to the public, and accessible.

Reserve a ticket for a half-hour viewing during the extended hours on opening day: Friday, June 4 between 12-8pm. Opening day tickets are not required, but ticket holders have priority entry. The gallery capacity is limited to 10 people at any one time in order to facilitate social distancing.

Also in June, workshops taught by local artists and free talks by the Virginia Herpetological Society are offered in conjunction with the exhibit, including:

ONLINE TALK: Our National Symbol – an evidence based argument for why salamanders should replace the bald eagle on Thursday, June 10 from 6:30-7:30pm. The bald eagle has long been our national symbol – a species common throughout North America. But Americans are a more unique breed, and our symbol should reflect that. Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina are blessed with being the global biodiversity hotspot for salamanders. Erin Anthony, Vice President of the Virginia Herpetological Society, will tell you why Americans are better represented by salamanders than by the bald eagle. (FREE! Register by 4:30pm on June 10)

OUTDOOR EVENT: Live Animal Drawing on Saturday, June 12 from 11am-5pm in half-hour shifts. Come practice sketching or painting natural textures with live models Persephone (Gila Monster), Flicker (Blue tongue Skink), Pyxel (African Pixie Frog), Cookie (Western Hognose Snake) and two more snakes (a Rat Snake and Timber Rattlesnake). Six socially-distanced chairs will be set up around a critter-containing vivarium under a canopy outdoors near the gallery. (Just $7 for a half-hour! Register by June 9)

IN-PERSON WORKSHOP: Playing with Resin on Sunday, June 13 from 6-9pm. Mixed media artist Tracy Wilkerson will teach you the ins and outs of mixing resin and using it in your artwork as an adhesive, a covering, or the main medium. You’ll leave your finished masterpieces to set at the gallery at the end of the workshop, and pick them up during gallery hours later in the week. (Register by June 10)

ONLINE WORKSHOP: Crochet for Beginners on Saturday, June 19 from 1-3pm. Instructor Elaine Hood will guide participants through the fundamentals of crochet – chain stitch, single crochet, project planning and more, as time and interests permit. Students will leave the class with the skills to complete their first project – a pot holder, headband, or fingerless gloves – and the resources to continue their journey through the world of fiber arts. Purchase the $15 crochet kit when registering (pick up at the gallery in advance) or use your own materials. (Register by June 12)

ONLINE WORKSHOP: Draw the Human Figure – Anatomical Sketching on Sunday, June 20 from 1-3pm. During this course, instructor Michael Sherman will guide students on HOW to draw a body in an environment. Students will observe proportion, positioning, and how the body interacts with the environment. (Register by June 13)

ONLINE TALK: Turtles of Virginia – Life History and Conservation on Friday, June 25 from 6:30-7:30pm. Who doesn’t love turtles? Unlike their reptilian cousins (snakes, crocodilians and lizards), most everyone finds turtles to be appealing. Whether it’s the story of the tortoise and the hare or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, we have appreciated and revered turtles in folklore, culture and religion. JD Kleopfer, the State Herpetologist of Virginia, will discuss the various species of turtle inhabiting Virginia and their general ecology and conservation. (FREE! Register by 5pm on June 25)

Register in advance for workshops and talks at DelRayArtisans.org/workshops/

Del Ray Artisans is ALX Promise certified and is committed to the health and safety of our visitors. Please wear a face mask and maintain 6' of personal space.

For more information on The Naked and the Newt art exhibit, visit www.DelRayArtisans.org/event/naked-and-newt or contact the curator Dr. Erica Hughes (zarathustraspeaks@msn.com) or Director of Curating Kelly Postula (Curating@DelRayArtisans.org).