Forget Washington, D.C. and all its glitzy, general admission-having super museums. Just miles away in the affluent city of Alexandria, Virginia, there’s a place with more life, more energy and more excitement than any of those stuffy old places* combined: The Torpedo Factory Art Center.
So much more than a museum, the Torpedo Factory Art Center is a living art studio, a place where registered and at times commissioned artists perform their craft in full view of an adoring and oft fascinated public. Open, transparent and pretension-free, this is a chance to speak with the artists themselves, discuss their works and lives first hand and come closer to the personal experience of art than ever before. It’s also just a really fun time!
The massive three-story structure, built in the shell of a former WWII-era torpedo factory, is home to 82 active studios currently housing 165 artists. Painters are in large order, of course, but they really aren’t the half of it. Other crafts on display include ceramics, collage/mixed media, enameling, fiber and tapestry, glass, jewelry, drawing, photography, printmaking and sculpture. Sure, we’ve all seen people paint before, but how many times can you say you’ve seen a stainless steel abstract take shape?
It’s more than a show. Nearly every artist is also selling works in his or her studio, so don’t be afraid to put some money down. You can even negotiate a commissioned work.
I realize that what I’ve described so far doesn’t sound much like a museum at all, but there is that side of the Torpedo Factory Art Center too. Joining the copious studios are 6 art galleries hosted by local groups and cooperatives. Each free to view, the galleries features the best of the best in the fields of fiber and wearable arts, enamel, professional photography, ceramics and kiln work, printmaking and of course painting.
If that still weren’t enough, the TFAC also hosts workshops and is the permanent home of the Alexandria Archeology Museum.
Now here’s the cool part: with the exception of certain special engagements at the archeology museum, everything at the Torpedo Factory Art Center is admission free. Every floor, every studio, every gallery is viewable free of charge, which is kind of hard to beat. The Art Center itself is open daily 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., but the individual studio hours may vary according to artist discretion. When in doubt, call ahead.
Learn a whole lot more, including more about the incredible history of the Torpedo Factory building, at their Web site.
We’ve been to Alexandria, Virginia on this blog before, so for hotels in Alexandria, we know just where to go:
Both hotels are about a mile from the Torpedo Factory and offer a stylish stay at area-appropriate rates, and both come recommended by USA Travel Guide. You’ll have to take a peak at each site to gauge which one fits you best. Have fun!
*But in all seriousness, if you’ve never been to a Smithsonian, you should totally go.
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Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, Virginia
Forget Washington, D.C. and all its glitzy, general admission-having super museums. Just miles away in the affluent city of Alexandria, Virginia, there’s a place with more life, more energy and more excitement than any of those stuffy old places* combined: The Torpedo Factory Art Center.
So much more than a museum, the Torpedo Factory Art Center is a living art studio, a place where registered and at times commissioned artists perform their craft in full view of an adoring and oft fascinated public. Open, transparent and pretension-free, this is a chance to speak with the artists themselves, discuss their works and lives first hand and come closer to the personal experience of art than ever before. It’s also just a really fun time!
The massive three-story structure, built in the shell of a former WWII-era torpedo factory, is home to 82 active studios currently housing 165 artists. Painters are in large order, of course, but they really aren’t the half of it. Other crafts on display include ceramics, collage/mixed media, enameling, fiber and tapestry, glass, jewelry, drawing, photography, printmaking and sculpture. Sure, we’ve all seen people paint before, but how many times can you say you’ve seen a stainless steel abstract take shape?
It’s more than a show. Nearly every artist is also selling works in his or her studio, so don’t be afraid to put some money down. You can even negotiate a commissioned work.
I realize that what I’ve described so far doesn’t sound much like a museum at all, but there is that side of the Torpedo Factory Art Center too. Joining the copious studios are 6 art galleries hosted by local groups and cooperatives. Each free to view, the galleries features the best of the best in the fields of fiber and wearable arts, enamel, professional photography, ceramics and kiln work, printmaking and of course painting.
If that still weren’t enough, the TFAC also hosts workshops and is the permanent home of the Alexandria Archeology Museum.
Now here’s the cool part: with the exception of certain special engagements at the archeology museum, everything at the Torpedo Factory Art Center is admission free. Every floor, every studio, every gallery is viewable free of charge, which is kind of hard to beat. The Art Center itself is open daily 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., but the individual studio hours may vary according to artist discretion. When in doubt, call ahead.
Learn a whole lot more, including more about the incredible history of the Torpedo Factory building, at their Web site.
We’ve been to Alexandria, Virginia on this blog before, so for hotels in Alexandria, we know just where to go:
Both hotels are about a mile from the Torpedo Factory and offer a stylish stay at area-appropriate rates, and both come recommended by USA Travel Guide. You’ll have to take a peak at each site to gauge which one fits you best. Have fun!
*But in all seriousness, if you’ve never been to a Smithsonian, you should totally go.
Related Posts