"Carnival of Curiosities" Art Exhibit Opening Reception

Carnival of Curiosities Art Exhibit

October 2–31, 2026

Opening Reception: Friday, October 2 from 7–9pm

“Killer Clown Quartet” by Tiara Safic-Martin

Welcome one and all to the Carnival of Curiosities art exhibit at Del Ray Artisans where we’ll explore all things carnival and circus related, from fun foods and silly games to quirky costumes, haunted attractions, terrifying oddities, and magical slights of hand! Step right up! But beware, not everything is as it seems.

Join us for the opening reception on Friday, October 2 between 7-9pm to meet curators Tiara Safic-Martin and Morgan Parr and the exhibiting artists. Mark your calendar now or set a reminder through Eventbrite. Thank you to MCD Mateos McDonald’s for their generous donation for the reception.

Come back for an encore Masquerade Party on Friday, October 30, between 7-9pm, where we’ll reveal the People’s Choice Award! Guests are encouraged to don their most creative mask or carnival-inspired attire for an evening of music, drinks, snacks. Mingle with artists one more time before the exhibit closes.

Register in advance for our workshops and save the dates for our other creative programs in October:

Intro to Block Printing Workshop – Oct. 4, 10am-12pm

Partners in Art – Oct. 5, 2-4pm

Playing with Resin Workshop – Oct. 5, 6-9pm

Life Drawing – Oct. 6 & 27, 7-9pm

Girl Scout “Art and Design” Brownie Badge Workshop – Oct. 11, 10am-12pm

STEAM-tastic: DIY Masquerade Masks Workshop – Oct. 17, 10am-12pm

Partners in Art Evening – Oct. 20, 7-9pm

Movie Nite – Oct. 24, 7:30pm-midnight

Painting with Natural Pigments Workshop – Oct. 25, 10am-12pm

Fairy Bookshelf Workshop – Oct. 28, 7-9pm

Visit the gallery during Art on the Avenue, the annual arts festival along Mount Vernon Avenue, on Saturday, October 3. Del Ray Artisans will be open from 10am-6pm during the festival and will host a STEAM-tastic activity (Make Scratchboard Art) in the Kids’ Art Corner in the Mount Vernon Recreation Center fields from 10am-3pm.

The Carnival of Curiosities art exhibit runs from October 2–31, 2026 at Del Ray Artisans gallery in the Colasanto Center, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, Virginia 22301. Gallery hours are Thursday 12-6pm, Friday 12-9pm, Saturday 12-6pm, and Sunday 12-6pm (closed on November 1).

The gallery is free, open to the public, and accessible. This art exhibit is made possible with support from the City of Alexandria through the FY2027 Annual Arts Program Grant. Del Ray Artisans is a 501(3)(c) nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote art for the benefit of artists and the community.

For more information, contact the Director of Curating, Amy Kitchin Hower, at [email protected].

Community event in Alexandria, VA 22301.