A Show of Hands

Specialties

A Show of Hands features art and fine craft by local artists. Funky handcrafted gifts, one-​of-​a-​kind jewelry, scarves and tote bags, unique pottery, glass, photography, paintings, turned wood, and much more.

Owners Pat Miller and Maria Wasowski specialize in helping you find the right piece of jewelry for any outfit. When you need a special gift, we’ll come up with ideas to help you fine that perfect, out of the ordinary, unique piece for someone you care about. Looking for something small but special for teachers, colleagues, or sitters? We have many distinctive but affordable pieces too. We’re constantly getting new things from our artists so you never know what kind of a treasure you’ll find when you walk in our door!

There are also special events in the shop where you’ll have an opportunity to meet local artists and ask them about their work. You can enjoy the added dimension of knowing who made the artwork that you take home and how it embodies their creative ideas.

History

Established in 2005.

Pat Miller created an annual art festival, Art on the Avenue, 14 years ago. Many of the artists had been asking for a year round venue for selling their work.

Maria Wasowski had been making jewelry and selling it at shows and through salons and gift shops in the neighborhood.

They wanted to showcase artwork by the many artists and crafters in the community, including Maria’s jewelry, so they combined their talents and started A Show of Hands.

Meet the Business Owner

Pat and Maria M.

Business Owner

The Alexandria News has chosen A Show of Hands co-​owner Pat Miller as their Alexandrian of the Year for 2010. In addition to the shop, Pat is the creator and organizer of Art on the Avenue, she serves as Chair of the Arts Commission advocating for public art, and she works tirelessly on just about everything else that happens in Del Ray, including First Thursdays, the Holiday Tree Lighting and Luminarias, and the Turkey Trot.

Maria has made jewelry, studied weaving and ceramics, and is now devoting her energy to nurturing artists through A Show of Hands, being a civic activist concerned with the issues of transit and development in Potomac Yard, and promoting Del Ray businesses through the Del Ray Business Association.

Pat and Maria were recently named Small Business Philanthropist of the Year by Volunteer Alexandria.