The online local makers’ market Made in ALX (www.madeinalx.com)  is letting residents decide which 12 watercolor paintings of restaurant matchbooks should be included on a new, exclusive art print.

Local artist Laurel Prucha Moran has created a watercolor painting of a matchbook from every independent restaurant in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood — more than 30 in all.

Now, Moran will put 12 of the most popular matchbook watercolor paintings, as determined by resident’s votes, on an art print that will be available for purchase only through Made in ALX.

A portion of proceeds from every print purchase will benefit the food pantry at Alexandria’s ALIVE, Inc.

“I thought this would be a fun way for the community to show their appreciation for the surprisingly wide variety of local and independent restaurants in Del Ray,” Moran said.

Voting starts April 1 on MadeinALX.com and continues through April 15, 2021. Residents can vote for one matchbook every day during the voting period.

Made in ALX will reveal the winners on April 16 and a final layout will be available on April 19. Delivery is expected in May.

Pre-orders are open now for the adventurous at madeinalx.com.

A graphic designer by day, Del Ray neighbor Laurel Prucha Moran opened Blue Room Studio in 2020. She paints watercolor stationary, local restaurant matchbooks and watercolor and oil paintings as a way to bring art into everyday life. Learn more at blueroomstudio.com.

Made in ALX is a woman-owned small business that launched in 2020 with the goal to make it easy for people to find and purchase locally-crafted goods. The website features art, candles, pet products, apparel, home goods and more, all created by Alexandria-based makers, creators and artists. Learn more at madeinalx.com.