Torpedoes and art what a combination. The Torpedo Factory Art Center stands before us. It is a place where history and creativity collide.
In 1918 the U.S. Navy started building the U.S. Naval Torpedo Station here. Ironically it was the day after Armistice Day. This marked the end of World War I. For five years, the factory made torpedoes. Then it became a munitions storage facility.
During World War II, it produced Mark III torpedoes for aircraft. It also made Mark XIV torpedoes for submarines. By 1945, the war ended. The complex became government storage. It housed congressional documents and Smithsonian artifacts. It even held Nazi trial records.
The City of Alexandria bought the building in 1969. In 1974, Marian Van Landingham proposed a project. She was the president of The Art League. The project renovated part of the factory into studio spaces. It was for the Alexandria Bicentennial Project.
The project was initially approved for three years only. Large-scale renovation began in May 1974. The new center formally opened on September 15, 1974. From 1982 to 1983, the building was further renovated. It complied with the City’s waterfront development plan. The building was entirely gutted and rebuilt. It got a new ventilation system and central heating. It formally reopened on May 20, 1983. Adjacent industrial facilities were demolished. The Torpedo Factory Condominiums were built in 1985.
Today, the Torpedo Factory Art Center is home to many publicly accessible working artist studios. Each year, over half a million visitors interact with the artists. As of March 2022, it housed 82 artists’ studios. There are also eight galleries and workshops. About 165 professional visual artists work here. They work in painting ceramics and photography. They also do jewelry stained glass and fiber art. Printmaking and sculpture are also featured. The Torpedo Factory has become a model of creative placemaking. Other communities look to it for inspiration.
Artists are selected through an annual jury process. Once accepted, they get a three-year lease with publicly subsidized rent.
The Torpedo Factory Artists Association and The Art League managed the center for 12 years. This was from 1998 to 2010. From 2011 to 2016, it was managed by the Torpedo Factory Art Center Board nonprofit. The Torpedo Factory Artists’ Association has over 275 juried visual artists.
In 2018, the City of Alexandria took control of all operations. This was despite opposition from some artists. In August 2019, a gallery was named after Marian Van Landingham. In October 2021, city authorities considered options for funding renovations.
Inside, you can meet artists at work. Find unique keepsakes and statement pieces to take home. The Target Gallery is the Torpedo Factory’s own exhibition space. It features national and international work. You can also find under-represented voices in the New Project Studio.
So as we stand here at the Torpedo Factory Art Center remember its journey. From naval munitions to a vibrant art hub. It stands as a testament to Alexandria’s commitment to arts and culture.