Featured Events

July 5 – 30 Reading Silk: A Living Sculpture Artist and educator Elsabe Dixon will install and exhibit a living sculpture featuring 300 - 600 small silk markers spun by live silkworms on-site and through the collaboration of local students and teachers. Click here for more information.

Thursday, July 29 Thursday Nite Local Spotlight Live Music by the Reverie Jazz Trio 7-9pm, FREE The Reverie Jazz Trio will perform early jazz standards and forgotten favorites in a style reminiscent of a bygone era. Click here for more information.

Free Tour

Meet by the main entrance every Friday at 1pm for a FREE artist led tour of the Torpedo Factory!

June 8 - August 1
Transitions : Santuary and Carnival
Multiple Exposures Gallery
Studio 312
Fine art photography by featuring new work by Karen Keating and Janet Matthews.
Reception: Sunday, June 13, 2-4pm
Artist Talk: Thursday, July 8, 7:30pm

June 22 – August 1
Interlacements
Potomac Fiber Arts Gallery
Studio 18
Member artists explore the geometry of Fiber Art. Jewelry, sculpture, clothing, and wall pieces are some of the items that will be exhibited.

June 28 – July 25
Living Green
Scope Gallery
Studio 19
The Ceramic Guild features earth-friendly pottery that helps reduce, reuse and recycle while looking artsy and elegant. Give coffee, rice, flour or sugar a new home by substituting lidded jars for Tupperware storage. Select a personal handmade mug, replacing disposable cups and bottles. When cared for properly, handmade vessels can be used daily for generations.

July 1 - 31
Collage Workshops
Studio 333
Thursdays and Saturdays, 11:30am-12:30pm
FREE and Open to the Public
Visiting artist Julian Parker-Burns will hold free exploratory collage workshops every Thursday and Saturday in July.

July 5 – 30
Reading Silk: A Living Sculpture
Main Floor and Site 2 Gallery, Torpedo Factory Art Center
Artist and educator Elsabe Dixon will install and exhibit a living sculpture featuring 300 - 600 small silk leaf-shaped markers spun by live silkworms on-site and through the interaction and collaboration of students and teachers from Alexandria & Arlington Public Schools as well as the Nannie J. Lee Center in Alexandria.

On July 5, Dixon will begin installing a collection of 100 completed silk forms, or markers, spun by students and teachers, on individual stands. On July 10, Dixon will install additional small platforms surrounding the completed markers, each containing individual silkworms spinning more of the leaf-shaped markers on-site. Each silkworm will spin for three days after which the worm will be removed from the platform to allow full metamorphoses and reproduction. The installation will gradually expand and change daily, taking the form of an organic sculpture.

The artist will be on-hand several times each day to monitor the installation, answer questions, and gather feedback from the public. Additional information on the project including samples and literature will be available at the Site 2 Gallery located on the second floor of the Torpedo Factory.

July 5 - August 31
Just a Summer Show
Printmakers Inc.
Studio 325
Member artists show their work.

July 7 - August 1
Some Like it Hot
Enamelists Gallery
Studio 28
Summer weather and high firing temperatures lure us out of the kitchen and into the studio. If you don't like the heat, do NOT tickle the dragon.

July 8 - August 2
All-Media Membership Show
The Art League Gallery
Room 21
Works of all media and subject matter by Art League artists.
Reception: Second Thursday Art Night, July 8, 6:30-8pm

July 8 - August 2
Stories in Paper
The Art League Gallery
Room 21
Megan Coyle explores images and scenes of day-to-day life through her painting-like collages. Coyle reconstructs the picture surface by breaking down the human form into different planes – the body, face, and the folds in the clothing. She builds up the surface and texture by layering different shapes of paper, or peels away pieces to let previous layers shine through. Coyle states “utilizing this method allows me to create artwork that captures the essence of a painting, but broadens my palette to include textures, pattern, and fragments of photographs from magazines.”
Reception: Second Thursday Art Night, July 8, 6:30-8pm

July 8 – August 15
Marsha Staiger and Alison Sigethy - Art in Balance: Rhythm and Repitition
Torpedo Factory Artists of the Year
Target Gallery
Marsha Staiger and Alison Sigethy explore the paradox of balance, the nature of rhythm, and the beauty and order created by repetition. Staiger's and Sigethy's works are very different but have in common a clean, contemporary aesthetic. The works play well off each other and reveal a fresh aspect of each artist's work that would be missed without the counterpoint provided by the other. Staiger and Sigethy were awarded the “Artist of the Year” honor by the Friends of the Torpedo Factory.

On July 29th a special performance by modern dance group, Karen Reedy Dance, and artist Alison Sigethy will begin at 6pm at the Torpedo Factory. Alison Sigethy, sculptor and professional kayaker, will kick off the performance with a solo kayak performance on the Potomac River right outside of the Torpedo Factory and then visitors will be led inside the art center for a dance performance inspired by the two artists' work.

Reception: July 8, 6-8pm; Awards Ceremony at 7pm
Special Dance and Kayak Performance: July 29, 6pm

Saturday, July 24
Artist Led Project
2-4pm, Third Floor Landing
FREE and open to the public
Visiting artist Erica Raby will lead an interactive hands-on project.

July 26 – August 22
Landscape
Scope Gallery
Studio 19
Kiln Club members go the distance to show the versatility of clay surfaces, pit firing for smoky finishes, raku firing for rustic iridescent glazes and handpainting naturescapes. Potters create one-of-a-kind pieces by carving, imprinting, grooving and etching clay, coupled with a repretoire of glaze applications including dipping, misting, pouring and brushing.

Thursday, July 29
Artist Discussion
Studio 332
4pm, FREE and open to the public
Visiting artist Erica Raby will discuss the process and influences of her work. She will also share favorite artists.

Thursday, July 29
Thursday Nite Local Spotlight
Live Music by the Reverie Jazz Trio
7-9pm, FREE
The Reverie Jazz Trio will perform early jazz standards and forgotten favorites in a style reminiscent of a bygone era while bringing back the great melodies and emotion exemplified by the great jazz and blues music of the 1930's, 1940's and early 1950's. Some of Reverie's influences are Billy Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Rosemary Clooney, Fats Waller and many others from the pre-Bebop time period.

Click here for full Thursday Nite Local Spotlight schedule.

Saturday, July 31
Artist Led Project
2-4pm, Third Floor Landing
FREE and open to the public
Visiting artist Erica Raby will lead an interactive hands-on project.

Tuesday, August 3, 6 to 8pm
Documenting the Textile Culture
Morrison House Presents: Robin Childers, Visiting Torpedo Factory Artist
Morrison House Hotel
116 South Alfred Street, Alexandria , VA 22314
www.morrisonhouse.com / 703-838-8000
Free Admission; Food and drink available for purchase

The use of screen printing, an industrial method of printing, with painting brings together an atmosphere of manufacturing that includes elements of individuals and machines. Visiting Torpedo Factory artist Robin Childers will discuss her artwork created using this process and focusing on the oral history, buildings, machines and personal experience of a shifting industry.

Robin Childers completed a BFA in Fiber Arts from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 1992. Following these, Childers worked as a textile designer for both apparel and automotive textiles working with printing, weaving and circular knitting. Childers has done graduate work at the Glasgow School of Art in Scotland and at Clemson University . She is completing her MFA at Savannah College of Art and Design.

"Morrison House Presents" is a salon-style series exploring Alexandria's heritage and culture with talks by artists, writers, and historians in the stylish yet comfortable salon of the Morrison House. This series is sponsored by the Torpedo Factory Artists' Association, the Alexandria Archaeological Commission, and the Morrison House Hotel. The talks take place on the first Tuesday of each month.

Click here for more information about the Morrison House series.

August 3 - August 31
Explorations
Ray Parisi's Mini Show
Enamelists Gallery
Studio 28
Ray Parisi will feature his Plique-A-Jour Jewelry which resembles miniature stained glass on fine silver. The art work will represent a number of different techniques.
Reception: Saturday, August 7, 1-7pm

August 3 – September 12
Fiber Landscapes
Potomac Fiber Arts Gallery
Studio 18
Artists interpret in fiber what we see, where we go, and the places we love. Jewelry, sculpture, clothing, and wall pieces are some of the items that will be exhibited.

August 3 - October 3
You Are Who You Are and Shadow and Substance
Multiple Exposures Gallery
Studio 312
Fine art photography featuring work by Louise Noakes and Grace Taylor.
Reception: Sunday, August 8, 2-4pm

August 4 - September 6
'Scapes
The Art League Gallery
Room 21
The 'Scapes exhibit features scenes of mountains, valleys, trees, rivers and forests in a representational or abstract manner. The juror is Joey Manlapaz, professor of art at the Corcoran School of Art.
Reception: Second Thursday Art Night, August 12, 6:30-8:30pm

Thursday, August 5
Thursday Nite Local Spotlight
Live Music by The Ash Lovlies
7-9pm, FREE
The Ash Lovelies create "Chamber Folk Tangle Pop." What else do you call a band that features a viola, oboe, guitar synthesizer, bass, keyboard, cajone, synthesizer modules, electronic noise, and assorted guest players/singers? The Ash Lovelies were founded in 2008 by longtime Arlington VA indie singer/songwriter Lou Black and continues to evolve as an eclectic songwriting collective bringing together local singer/songwriters looking to experiment with various pop fusions.

Click here for full Thursday Nite Local Spotlight schedule.

Thursday, August 12
Second Thursday Art Night
6-9pm, FREE
Browse open studios, interact with artists, and enjoy refreshments at this free monthly event! Check back for more information about this month's special activities.

Click here for more information about Second Thursday Art Night.

Thursday, August 19
Thursday Nite Local Spotlight
Live Music by the Dave Tucker Combo
7-9pm, FREE
Dave Tucker is an internationally-known performer of early jazz styles. Dave specializes in performing ragtime, novelty, blues and Harlem stride piano music, but has expanded in recent years to include performing with dance orchestras and several small combos. The early jazz standards of the great American songbook have also become an important part of Dave's constantly expanding repertoire.

Click here for full Thursday Nite Local Spotlight schedule.

August 21 - September 26
Systems Failure
Target Gallery
This is an all media juried exhibition examining the current crises (collapse of world wide financial systems, the mortgage crisis, failing health systems) facing our country and the world, and the plight of the people who most suffer from these failures. The juror is Sarah Tanguy, an independent curator, arts writer, and critic, as well as a curator for the Art in Embassies Program, based in Washington , DC .
Reception: September 9

Thursday, August 26
Thursday Nite Local Spotlight
Live Music by Beatboxchip
7-9pm, FREE
Beatbox performer with a random eclectic mix of vocal and electronic elements.

Click here for full Thursday Nite Local Spotlight schedule.

Thursday, September 2
Thursday Nite Local Spotlight
Live Music by Britt Neal
7-9pm, FREE
Britt Neal is no son of a preacher man. But she is the daughter of one. Her sound is rich with gospel and blues, and glimpses of the world she's heard whenever she turned on her radio. Country and bluegrass, and good old Southern rock.

Click here for full Thursday Nite Local Spotlight schedule.

Saturday, September 11
Art Activated
12-4pm, FREE Event
Visual art comes alive at the Torpedo Factory during the Alexandria Festival of the Arts! Step inside from the street fair for an afternoon filled with exciting programming and interactivity. Become a part of the creative process with hands-on projects, artist demonstrations, and special activities taking place throughout the afternoon. Let your creative side play at this free annual event!

Thursday, September 16
Thursday Nite Local Spotlight
Live Music by Jim Stephanson and John Previti
7-9pm, FREE
Guitarist Jim Stephanson and bassist John Previti will treat visitors to an evening of blues, swing, and jazz inspired tunes. The popular DC area musicians share a love of all styles of roots music but especially the swing and country jazz styles of the 40s and 50s which they perform along with their band, Hillbilly Jazz.

Click here for full Thursday Nite Local Spotlight schedule.

Thursday, September 23
Thursday Nite Local Spotlight
Live Music by Wind Energy
7-9pm, FREE
Wind Energy plays music for dancing, listening and enjoying, from the folk traditions of England, Ireland, Scotland and beyond, using Northumbrian smallpipes, silver flute and Appalachian dulcimer.

Click here for full Thursday Nite Local Spotlight schedule.

Thursday, September 30
Thursday Nite Local Spotlight
Live Music by the Port Tobacco Pickers
7-9pm, FREE
This seven-piece bluegrass band from southern Maryland will perform a musical medley of traditional bluegrass, Southern rock, train songs, and even an Irish whiskey tune.

Click here for full Thursday Nite Local Spotlight schedule.

October 2 - 31
Shaun Richards: 2010 Open Exhibition Winner
Target Gallery
This is an annual opportunity selecting an artist for a solo show in the Target Gallery. A panel of three jurors selects the winning proposal and the gallery provides a catalog for the winning artist.

Shaun Richards holds a BA in Art from UNC-Wilmington. He continued his studies with the State University of New York's Empire State College, which provided him studio space in NYC and weekly studio visits with established artists, arts critics and curators. Richards left NYC in the spring of 2006, returning to North Carolina to pursue art full time. His proposed work for this exhibit, Women and Children First, deals with themes of role modeling, social dynamics, and the interplay of media but also examines gender issues, economic endangerment, love lost, and the end times.

The juror panel consists of Cynthia Connolly, curator/director of visual arts for Arlington County 's new Artisphere, Joey P Mánlapaz, a DC-based painter and faculty member at the Corcoran College of Art and Design, and Shauna Lee Lange, founder of Shauna Lee Lange Arts Advisory and Design Studio.

Reception: October 14, artist talk at 7pm

October 5 - October 31
The Atacama - New Heights
Multiple Exposures Gallery
Studio 312
Alan Sislen shows images of the amazing Chilean High Desert in this solo photography exhibition.

Saturday, October 9
Alexandria Arts Safari
12-4pm, FREE Event
The Torpedo Factory Art Center hosts the fifteenth annual Alexandria Arts Safari, a festival of hands-on arts and crafts activities for kids and their families. Children will also enjoy special activities presented by the Alexandria Archaeology Museum located on the third floor.

Saturday, October 30
Ofrenda - Art for the Dead
Masked Ball and Reception: 4-10pm
Parade: 7-7:45pm
No Cover, Cash Bar
Ofrenda - Art for the Dead is an exhibition of local artists' shrines, altars, paintings, photography, music, dancing, magic and spoken word based on the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) tradition. Artist-made Dia de los Muertos altars and ofrendas will draw the beloved dead to visit their loved ones, feast on their favorite food and drink and listen to their favorite music - remembering the dead and celebrating life. The event will include multiple performances, special activities, parade, masked ball, and reception.

November 4 - November 21
5x5 Exposed: Small Works in Photography
Target Gallery
The gallery will be participating in FotoWeek DC by hosting a small works photography show. All photography must not exceed 5 inches in any direction inclusive of frame. Kathleen Ewing, owner of Kathleen Ewing Gallery, which specializes in photography, will be our juror.
Reception: November 11, 6-8pm; juror talk, Kathleen Ewing, 7pm

Thursday, December 2
Holiday Open House
6-9pm, FREE Event
Studios and galleries are open for holiday shopping as the art center is transformed into a glittering spectacle of holiday spirit! Enjoy refreshments and live music as you wander from studio to studio stocking up on affordable, original artwork for everyone on your list. From $20 mugs to $200 earrings; $40 scarves to $4000 paintings, there's something for every taste and budget.

December 2- January 2
Washington Goldsmith Guild
Target Gallery
The gallery is inviting the Washington Goldsmith Guild to exhibit their members' work. The Washington Guild of Goldsmiths is a non-profit organization whose members share an interest in metalsmithing, jewelry design and related arts. The Guild, begun 1978, provides a means for the exchange of information and ideas as well as educational opportunities for its members and the public.
Reception: December 2, 6-9pm during Holiday Open House, and December 9, 6-8pm, Second Thursday Art Night “Chocolate and Shopping”