The Torpedo Factory Art Center presents special programming and events for Minds Wide Open 2012, celebrating children in the arts. MINDS WIDE OPEN: Virginia Celebrates Children and the Arts is a statewide collaboration. Between March and June of 2012, thousands of special events will occur to honor contributions of children, artists and artwork featuring children. Any individual or group can participate by presenting at least one public program focus on Children and the Arts. Learn more by visiting www.artsva.org.

March ARTreach Exhibition Fundraiser • March 3rd - 18th • Target Gallery
Kids Art Event: March 3rd, 11am - 1pm, FREE
Art Party: March 16th, 7 - 10pm • Tickets: $15 advance, $20 door
The Target Gallery and the March of Dimes are teaming up to raise money for both organizations with their 2nd annual exhibition fundraiser March ARTreach . It will feature 200 panels of artwork each $150 (only $100 on the night of the Art Party), a free kids art activity on March 3rd, and an Art Party on March 16th featuring prizes, music, food, drinks, and more!

Large and Little Exhibition • March 5 • April 1 • Scope Gallery
Scope Gallery potters present clay creations itty bitty and insane, tiny and tremendous, monstrous and minute.

Play Exhibition • March 7th - April 2nd • The Art League Gallery
Reception: Thursday, March 8th, 6:30 - 8pm • Awards Presentation: 7:30pm
Play is an all-media exhibition featuring works about games, childhood activities, playfulness and interactive artworks.

2nd Thursday Art Night: Child’s Play • March 8th, 6 - 9pm
The Torpedo Factory hosts the launch of Minds Wide Open: Virginia Celebrates Children and the Arts during the art center's monthly 2nd Thursday Art Night! Learn more about the Minds Wide Open program and the Torpedo Factory from keynote speakers. The Art League Gallery presents the receptions for Play, the All-Media Membership Exhibit, and Georgia Nassikas' solo show, Elemental. Target Gallery will offer discounted tickets to their March ARTreach Art Party throughout the evening. The young and young-at-heart will enjoy face-painting, a whimsical DIY craft, live music by local teen Keira Moran, free prize drawing, and more!

Friends of the Torpedo Factory Mentor Show • April 1st - 15th • Main Hall
Reception: Sunday, April 15th, 3 - 5pm
The Friends’ Mentor Program pairs a Torpedo Factory artist with an art student from one of the City of Alexandria’s high schools. The student shadows the artist during the year, absorbing his or her mentor’s artistic experiences and insights, and for a final project the mentor helps the student create a piece of art which is displayed in a special exhibition at the Torpedo Factory. The Mentorship Program is sponsored by the Friends of the Torpedo Factory Art Center, Inc.

Push, Pull, Play Exhibition • April 12th - May 13th • Target Gallery
Reception: Thursday, April 12th, 6-8pm • Juror talk at 7pm
Target Gallery hosts an exhibition that focuses on interactive, kinetic, toy-inspired art. Push, Pull, Play is an all-media show that examines the art of the toy.

Bedtime Stories Exhibition • May 2nd - 28th • The Art League Gallery
Reception: Thursday, May 10th, 6:30 - 8pm • Awards Presentation: 7:30pm
Bedtime Stories is an all-media exhibition featuring artworks that are narrative in nature.