Located just outside of Washington, D.C., historic Old Town Alexandria is a charming cobblestone area brimming with rich history, funky shopping, and delightful restaurants. A landmark of the Old Town landscape, the Torpedo Factory Art Center attracts over 500,000 artists, visitors, and tourists each year. Established in 1974, it is housed in a former munitions plant (hence the name) and houses the largest number of working artists open studios under one roof. Explore all that you can see and do on a visit to the Torpedo Factory.
Galleries
The Torpedo Factory boasts thousands of square feet dedicated to showcasing the works of established and rising artists alike among its many gallery spaces. The Target Gallery is the center’s space dedicated to exhibiting contemporary pieces. This gallery hosts eight exhibitions each year focusing on contemporary works.
Gallery 311 is the newest gallery at the Torpedo Factory Art Center. This gallery represents works created by members of the Torpedo Factory Artists Association, the founding entity of the Torpedo Center. The Artist’s Association is a guild of nearly 300 visual artists that is dedicated to opening their workspaces to public visits.
One of the original medium-specific galleries at the Torpedo Factory, the Scope Gallery aims to showcase high-quality clay work. Scope features the works of over 30 local ceramic artists that regularly exhibit in rotating monthly themes.
Classes
Each year, over 10,000 children and adults take art classes at the Torpedo Factory. The Art League School offers classes in virtually all of the visual arts, from drawing to jewelry making to fiber arts. Classes convene weekly in most cases and are taught by highly qualified, professional art instructors to students of all levels.
The Art League also offers a wide array of classes for children ages 5 and older. Alongside more traditional visual art mediums, children can also explore such art forms as cartooning and clay animation. During the summer months, the Art League offers summer camps at the Torpedo Factory focusing primarily on painting, sculpting, printmaking, and drawing. Specific subject matter camps are also available for children who wish to focus their energies on one medium.
Special Events
One of the more spectacular settings in the Washington D.C. area, the Torpedo Factory Art Center makes a striking choice for hosting private events
. The unique architecture features chic industrial exposed pipes, ductwork, and a smokestack that harkens back to the building’s former historical function. Bright white paint offset by playfully colored accents creates a welcoming feeling that can be customized for any occasion.
A dramatic two-story atrium overlooks the building’s main space, with a catwalk from which to view events below. The art-filled halls of the building lend an elegant air to the space that impresses guests at the many weddings, parties, and receptions held here.
Whether you are an established artist or a budding Picasso, the Torpedo Factory Art Center is a true treasure in the Washington D.C. area. Its bright, sun-filled spaces are a natural fit for the creativity within the numerous artist’s studios. The art center successfully democratizes art, making it accessible to anyone who steps inside.
Image via Flickr by Ron Cogswell/Under use by CC BY 2.0
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