WHEREAS, for three decades, Del Ray Artisans has promoted the arts and arts education in Alexandria while helping local artists grow and thrive; and

WHEREAS, Del Ray Artisans was founded as a local arts collective in 1992 by Peter Smirniotopoulos and cofounders Kathryn A. Brown and Marlin G. Lord and originally included 23 individuals and three sponsors; and

WHEREAS, Del Ray Artisans was originally known as the Arts Resource Foundation or ARF, a reference to how several members had gotten to know the neighborhood by walking their dogs, and the organization adopted its current name in 1997; and

WHEREAS, Del Ray Artisans encourages new and emerging artists and artisans, fosters community-based arts events and organizations, promotes the arts as a method for community outreach, and works diligently to make the arts accessible and available to the general public; and

WHEREAS, now located at the Colasanto Center, Del Ray Artisans hosts gallery exhibits, workshops, classes, youth art camps, a holiday market, and receptions for special occasions; the organization is also a longtime participant at Art on the Avenue, one of Alexandria's largest festivals dedicated to the arts; and

WHEREAS, Del Ray Artisans has fulfilled its mission with the leadership of its part-time staff members, the generous support of its community partners, and the hard work of countless volunteers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Del Ray Artisans hereby be commended on the occasion of its 30th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Del Ray Artisans as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for the organization's contributions to the advancement of the arts and positive impact on cultural life in Alexandria.