Press

The Del Ray Sun, December 20, 2006:

Lyles Crouch Revitalizes the Art Guild

by Margaret Widdowson

This Art Guild is not a medieval group of artisans in merry Ol' England or specialty artists at the Torpedo Factory, but a group of Lyles Crouch Traditional Academy students and their parents who are enthusiastic about art and want to share their creations with the community. The public elementary school in Old Town, which formed an art guild this fall, held their first show at Elizabeth Stone Gallery on King Street.

While the featured student artists ranged from six to eleven years old, their work appeared to be much more mature and sophisticated. Some displayed their own renditions of paintings inspired by Gustav Klimpt and Piet Mondrian, while others showed their mythical creature paintings and creations made under the guidance of their much-loved art teacher, Sharon Paton.

Ms. Stone gave the children an entire wall of the gallery to display their work, and various other Lyles Crouch student pieces were scattered about her gallery on easels and display trellises. The gallery hummed with activity as children admired each other's art and proudly pointed out their artwork to their parents and grandparents. Some students gathered around the beautifully illustrated children's books and listened attentively to stories. Still others--mostly siblings--enjoyed munching on cookies.

"I am delighted the children had fun, enjoyed their own art exhibition as well as having the opportunity to see and study the original art work by distinguished illustrators of published children's books," said Ms Stone. "I was thoroughly impressed by the quality of the students' art and the creativity of each student. There are some really talented young artists at Lyles Crouch."

PTA President-elect Ginny Brzezinski noted, "Lyles Crouch wants to encourage all the budding artists and art lovers we have at the school. We have a terrific art teacher, Sharon Paton, who guides the students, and they produce some fabulous pieces in her class. So, we decided to form the art guild."

"Plus," she added, "a number of parents and students were interested in forming the art guild not only to display the students' work, but to do something for others in our community. Community service is an integral part of our school, and we are incorporating it into the art guild by planning art shows at assisted living facilities as well as galleries and restaurants around town. My children are in kindergarten and first grade, and they are very excited about having their work hang in art galleries and other places in Alexandria."

PTA president Tina Games-Evans echoes Ginny's enthusiasm: "Our 'trial' art guild venture was when we displayed the children's paintings and wooden butterflies--which were created for our school garden--at Del Ray's "Art on the Avenue." The students were thrilled to have their work featured in the Lyles Crouch booth. We even had visitors to "Art on the Avenue" try to buy the children's painted wooden butterflies."

The Elizabeth Stone Gallery art show was the most exciting event for the fledgling art guild. Caroline Lowder, a student at Lyles Crouch, says that she loved having her work hang in a real art gallery. "Mrs. Stone was so nice and her gallery is full of paintings and posters from children's book illustrations. I could not believe she let us display our work there too."

Twins Lillian and Olivia Epley feel the same way. "We like looking at the painting and posters from children's books and we are honored she let us show our work in the same gallery."

Del Ray resident and Lyles Crouch second grader Nathaniel Ray says "I helped my dad set-up for 'Art on the Avenue' and I liked that art work. I never thought my own art work would be on display in a real life gallery."

Maddie Hazzard, who also attends Lyles Crouch, proclaims, "I like it all. I like learning about art and creating art with Ms. Paton in school and the Torpedo Factory teacher in the after school art program. And, I like seeing the book illustrations and my art work hanging in a gallery. This is really fun."

The budding Lyles Crouch artists' work will be on display at two Del Ray venues in December: St. Elmo's Coffee Pub and the Dairy Godmother.

"I cannot wait for the next art show. I hope my work gets selected to be in another show this year," exclaimed the ever-enthusiastic Catherine Mellette as she bounced down the gallery stairs with her mother and grandmother at the end of the afternoon. Who knows? Maybe Catherine is the next Eric Carle or Tasha Tudor...

For more information about the Lyles Crouch Traditional Academy Art Guild, please call the school at (703) 706-4430. For additional information about Elizabeth Stone Gallery at 1127 King Street and the children's illustrations she features, please visit www.elizabethstonegallery.com.

Additional photos at www.westalexsun.net

The Alexandria Times

Letters & Columns: A holiday thank you

I suppose you just didn't stop to think about it but did you notice how sim­ply overnight all of King Street appeared to be wrapped in miles of real evergreen garlands on lamp poles and there were'red ribbons up on top of them, too?

Well, shortly after the city had the tree lighting ceremony in Market Square Friday evening with their beautifully city decorated tree the Lacrosse team from T.C.Williams appeared to wrap the poles. How fortunate that the Lacrosse team was here for us. The garlands were supplied by the city through ACVA's holiday budget and the red ribbons were made for us through Elizabeth Stone's Gallery and used upon the poles too. How grateful we store owners and residents are for this wonderful gesture. Thank You T.C. Williams Lacrosse Team and thanks to the people behind the scene as well. Those are the people who deco­rated the three trees along King Street and they were Kristina Robertson from Barkley Square for the foot of King Street tree, Carol Supplee from Imagine for the Commerce Street corner and for Adron Krekeler from Morgan Stanley for the King Street Garden Park tree. And, of course, to Charlotte Hall, Potomac Riverboat Company and the president of KSMET, the Greater Old Town Enterprise Team for keeping things moving along and organizing.

Keep in mind that the King Street Garden Park tree will have a lighting ceremony on Sunday, Dec 10 at 7 p.m.

Santa will be there for the lighting event and will use gift certificates from the local merchants for your delight. There will be caroling and cookies as well I'm sure.

We, the retailers and the citizens are delighted that all of Alexandria is look­ing so good for the holidays and are hoping for more visible improvements and that they will appear from time to time in our lovely city in the near future for all of us to relish in.

And with that a very good night.

Happy Holidays.

David Martin
Alexandria

The Alexandria Gazette, July 20-26, 2006:

Keeping Shop: Working at...Elizabeth Stone Gallery

Business name: Elizabeth Stone Gallery
Address: 1127 King Street
Years at this address: 11 months
Years in business: 18 years

Owner: Elizabeth Stone

Short bio:

I am the founder and owner of Elizabeth Stone Gallery. It is a unique gallery which specializes in original art, signed limited editions, prints, and children's books by more than one hundred internationally known children's book illustrators.

I have more than thirty years of experience with children's literature. For fifteen years, I was the librarian at a premiere private school in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. It was during that time that I acquired my love and appreciation for children's book illustration.

After fifteen years in Michigan, I relocated my gallery to 1127 King Street in Old Town Alexandria. I also expanded my business to include the placement of children's book illustrations in children's hospitals, pediatric facilities, major medical centers, and government and corporate collections.

Why did you choose this particular business?

I am a collector of original art by my favorite contemporary children's book illustrators. In the beginning, I wanted to own original art by N.C. Wyeth, Maxfield Parrish, Beatrix Potter, E. H. Shepard, Jessie Wilcox Smith and other illustrators from the "Golden Age of Illustration" but I discovered the art was scarce and costly for me. My illustrator friends suggested I open a gallery to showcase their art. Collecting the art of children's book illustrators was a relatively new phenomenon. I felt I was on a new adventure.

Why did you choose to work for yourself rather than as an employee for someone else?

Although I certainly appreciate the security an employer provides, there are limitations for challenge, excitement, creativity and decision making. I found an avenue to pursue my dreams of educating children and adults not only with stories but with art.

What have you learned from being in business?

It is necessary to develop an expertise in my "special" business, become active in the community, network every moment and give special attention to my clients.

Share an anecdote of a challenging or humorous experience or biggest surprise learned from working your business:

I do have a humorous experience, but it is too long for this newspaper article. It was early in my gallery career and it involved a paranoid, world-renowned illustrator from New York who did not trust overnight delivery service, priceless originals being hand-carried by a new gallery owner from Michigan, dressed in an itchy wool jumpsuit in 90 degree weather, a series of canceled and delayed airline flights, and a broken high heel...a true "Candid Camera" moment!

What have been the advantages and/ or disadvantages of operating a business in Alexandria?

I have found this wonderful town to be very welcoming to me as a person and enthusiastic and supportive of my business. Having served several years on the Historic district and Design Commission in Birmingham, Michigan, I am especially proud to be a business owner in the Historic District of Old Town. Tourists and young families who visit the gallery are not only pleasant to work with, but are vital to my success.

Key staff:

I have four part-time employees who perform a myriad of tasks.

Description of services and/or products:

The gallery has a collection of original art, signed limited editions, prints, posters, children's books and toys available for purchase. Custom-designed, distinctive gifts are favorites with clients. Art may also be seen and purchased on-line at www.elizabethstonegallery.com

The gallery is available for fund-raisers and meetings. Tours are encouraged for schools, colleges, universities, organizations and other special groups.

Gallery Hours:

Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.- 6 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m., Second Thursdays, 6 p.m.- 9 p.m. Elizabeth Stone Gallery is located at King and Fayette Streets and five blocks east of King Street Metro Station. Accessible by DASH and Metro buses.

Professional affiliations/associations:

Alexandria Chamber of Commerce
Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce
KSMET-Representing Businesses from the River to the Rails
Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
Children's Book Guild of Washington, D.C.

The Alexandria Times, July 20-27, 2006:

Elizabeth Stone Gallery: Walk into your childhood dream

by Carter Fenwick, Alexandria Times Special Writer

Walking through the doors of the Elizabeth Stone Gallery at 1127 King Street is like returning to your favorite childhood story. The gallery features the artwork of some of the best children's illustrators and creates the illusion of being within the pages of a storybook.

The gallery features original paintings, mixed media collages, limited edition prints and posters that are available for sale, framed or unframed, and that makes the perfect complement to an art collection or to a child's room. The gallery also features an elegant bookshop that is home to many of the books whose illustrations deck the walls at the gallery. The peaceful setting reminds one of a child's well-stocked nursery bookshelf. The books and the artwork range from the prolific "I Love You Stinky Face," to the Asian inspired "One is a Drummer," to the classic "The Wizard of Oz" and "The Ugly Duckling."

"I strive to stock the shelves with books that will inspire parents and children on a lifelong journey to the endless places that reading and imagination will take them. All of these books have outstanding artwork, and it is the fortunate child who has an original piece of artwork hang­ing on their childhood bedroom wall. It is a gift that will endure and surely be passed to future generations," said Elizabeth Stone.

School artwork

Stone brought her creative concept to Old Town almost one year ago. She is originally from the art rich state of Michigan where she served for 15 years as a librarian at Brookside School Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills. While in this post, she started a collection of artwork for the school, and based on its popularity developed a business plan; she then opened a gallery in Birmingham, Mich., where it thrived for 16 years. Finally, Stone made the move to Old Town about one year ago. "I came here to visit my sons, and loved it so much, and loved being near them, and I thought, 'why not'? Alexandria has everything that I ever wanted in a city; diverse, friendly, convenient, and a great place to do business," said Stone.

That youthful and energetic attitude has helped Stone to carve her own path among the gallery-dense Washington, D.C., area. Her work has gotten her involved in establishing collections for the Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York, New York Presbyterian, The Children's National Medical Center in Washington, the City of Alexandria Department of Health Social Services and the Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children. "The healing power of artwork is undeniable. Bringing a smile to a child's face, no matter what his or her circumstances, is what it is all about for me," said Stone.

Desired location

Stone makes her gallery available as a meeting or reception space for various corporations and associations. "I have found that people are always looking for different types of spaces to host events in this area. My gallery seems to have a desired ambiance, and a very convenient location." Stone is able to furnish tables, chairs, podiums and other accessories needed for these unconventional art gallery clients.

Stone hosted an event this past weekend for British artist John Doherty, who resides in Canada. "John luckily brought more of his artwork with him, as it was selling out even before the show started," said Stone, who has an on-line gallery where the artwork can be purchased. Doherty's artwork drew record crowds in spite of the soaring mercury outside. Balloons and samples of the artist's paintings on King Street drew the folks upstairs to the cool gallery, while others who had received advance notice had been planning to attend for weeks.

The gallery maintained a relaxed vibe while Doherty took the time to explain his paintings and his inspiration to interested parties. Doherty is originally from Somerset, England, and his artwork is heavily influenced by the knights, damsels and dragons that infiltrated his childhood, as well as the familiar figures from "The Wind in the Willows."

"I must have read "The Wind in the Willows" a hundred times, and never tire of the images that it inspires," Doherty said.

After relocating to Canada in 1982, Doherty was exposed to a whole new mythology. "I had always been fascinated by the legends and mythology originating in England such as the Arthurian legend and the folklore of Ireland. Now my work begins with research from the writings of the New World missionaries, reformists, and anthropologists about the native Indian culture," Doherty said.

The Del Ray Sun, June 28 - July 11, 2006:

Business Profile: Where the Wild - And Beautiful - Things Are

by Marty DeVine

Do you remember the illustrations in Where the Wild Things Are? What image do you think of when I mention Curious George or the Very Hungry Caterpillar? How about Winnie the Pooh or The Making of a Knight?

Of course! They all have beautiful, colorful and unique illustrations! AND you can find these wonderful original pieces of art, signed limited editions, prints, posters, and children's books by more than 100 internationally-known illustrators for sale at Elizabeth Stone Gallery, on the second floor of 1127 King Street. The magical stairway to the gallery is on the corner of King and Fayette Streets above My Place in Tuscany and Yves Delormc.

Soon after delightful Elizabeth Stone opened her gallery in September 2005 residents and visitors to Alexandria discovered the treasure, which was included in the April 2006 issue of National Geographic's Traveler Magazine article, "On Foot - Eleven Top Places to Stop in Old Town Alexandria." Visitors to the cheery gallery are warmly greeted by the owner whether they are there to shop or browse. Illustrations from favorite children's books cover the walls and another room features a six-foot long wooden dragon based on the book, Ignis.

Elizabeth Stone Gallery is just one of Elizabeth's ventures. She also devotes a great deal of time and energy to brightening the lives of sick children who require hospitalization or doctor visits through her second business: the Art for Children's Healing (ACH) Initiative. ACH offers an opportunity for doctors and hospitals to create familiar and comfortable surroundings to ease the stress of the young patients. Elizabeth helps select appropriate artwork for the rooms, corridors and reception areas of medical facilities.

Before she opened this gallery, Elizabeth was an art consultant for the Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York-Presbyterian. "I loved working with the artists and authors and choosing the appropriate works of art for the children," says Elizabeth. "The first thing a child sees when he or she steps into the huge reception area is an 18-foot reproduction from Maurice Sendak's Where The Wild Things Are. Smiles appear on their faces when they see Max and his monster friends."

"Author and illustrator, Eric Carle, was also so enthusiastic about the project that we used lots of images from his books The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Tiny Seed, Slowly, Slowly, Slowly Said the Sloth, and Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me. " Copyright permission is always needed from artists, authors and publishers to use their art as reproductions as well as text from their books. All sixteen illustrators and authors were pleased to help the hospital in their special way."

Elizabeth is currently working with the Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children; Inova Health System and Foundation; Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C.; Children's Hospital of Michigan; Bryn Mawr Hospital in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania; and the City of Alexandria's Department of Health and Social Services.

Elizabeth is also involved with "Reach Out and Read" at Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children. "Reach Out and Read" encourages low-income parents to focus on wellness and keeping their children healthy through regular check-ups and proper immunizations on a recommended schedule. In exchange, "Read Out and Read" gives the children of the participating families books to enjoy at home. At a recent fundraiser at participating Barnes and Noble book stores, Elizabeth donated a percentage of her profits from the sale of ait from her gallery exhibit.

Elizabeth observes that she loves all of her illustrators for different reasons. "I love what I do. Every day is exciting and I love working with children."

Originally from Birmingham, Michigan, Elizabeth spent 15 years as a librarian at a private school, Brookside School Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. While she was at Cranbrook, Elizabeth founded an extensive collection of original art by children's book illustrators in the school library. That endeavor inspired Elizabeth to open the Elizabeth Stone Gallery in Birmingham. After 16 years, she relocated her gallery to Old Town, Alexandria, an appealing, friendly community.

This gallery is a terrific place to find posters, prints and captivating original illustrations from their favorite books. Rick and Sue Strong of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, discovered the Gallery's listing in "National Geographic Traveler" and came to visit. Sue commented "I know where I am going to purchase gifts of art for my grandchildren that they will enjoy seeing on their walls for many years to come."

For more information visit www.elizabethstoncgallery.com or call: (703) 706-0025.

The gallery is open from 11-6 Tuesday through Saturday and noon until 5:00 on Sunday. From July 13 through August 6 Elizabeth's gallery will feature the art of John Doherty, "Dreams On a Summer's Eve," and there will be two receptions for John Doherty's exhibit: Saturday, July 15 from 1-6 p.m. and Sunday, July 16 from noon - 5 p.m.

The Alexandria Times, July 13 - 20, 2006:

National Geographic Traveler Magazine, April 2006:

On Foot - Walking Guide to the Nation's Capital

by Luba Vangelova

Timeless Americana: Old Town Alexandria

Compared to Washington proper, awash in new construction, the riverside suburb of Alexandria (area code 703) is antique, a genteel neighborhood of low-lying brick buildings founded in 1749, 41 years before the capital itself. Delve into early America by touring the grand (1) Carlyle House Historic Park (121 N. Fairfax St.; 549-2997). In this, one of the town's oldest buildings, see how an English-gentleman-turned-American-patriot lived a refined colonial life. If the weather's nice, stroll along the Potomac River in (2) Founders Park and explore the town's cobblestoned side streets, inhaling the distinct aroma of boxwood shrubs and admiring the graciously preserved townhomes, many of them built during Alexandria's earliest heyday, from the late 1780s to 1810. Pause for lunch at (3) Mai Thai (6 King St; 548-0600), from whose second floor you can watch sailboats and other pleasure-craft and imagine the town as the busy river port it once was.

Commerce remains Alexandria's lifeblood, though these days it takes the form of antique and specialty stores and art and craft galleries. If you come early on Saturday, stroll through the Farmers Market, which dates back centuries in an area where George Washington recruited troops to fight in the French and Indian War. Explore the turned-wood and ceramics in (4) Arts Afire Craft Gallery (1117 King St.; 548-1197), an offshoot of the nearby (5) Arts Afire Glass Gallery (102 N. Fayette St.; 838-9785), which claims to have the country's largest collection of art glass jewelry. Stop to see whimsical children's illustrations at the (6) Elizabeth Stone Gallery (1127 King St., 2nd Floor; 706-0025), then duck into the tiny (7) Kingsbury Chocolates (1017 King St.; 548-2800) for a truffle (they make 30 kinds) and hot chocolate. Head down to the riverside (8) Torpedo Factory Art Center (105 N. Union St; 838-4565), a one-time weapons manufacturing site where you can now watch, and buy work from, more than 150 painters, sculptors, and other artists toiling in their studios. On the west side of Old Town, the (9) U.S. Patent & Trademark Office Museum (600 Dulaney St.; 571-272-0095) displays fun facts about pop-up toasters and other fruits of human ingenuity.

Newer restaurant standouts include the cozy (10) Bistrot Lafayette (1118 King St.; 548-2525), serving unpretentious French fare such as steak and fries, and the more opulent (11) Restaurant Eve (110 S. Pitt St.; 706-0450), which offers three-hour, American-cuisine dining experiences in its chef's tast­ing room and moderately priced entrees in its modern bistro.

METRO STOP: King Street (from there, use the free Dash About shuttle on weekends or the Dash buses--costing $l--all days).