This was another spot that we visited as part of our ‘tourist in your own city’ project and we were not disappointed. From the innovative design to the air laden with creative juices, this place is a visual feast. The Torpedo Factory Art Center was actually – a torpedo factory!Why, then, is it filled with art studios and artists and is a bustling center that attracts 500,000 visitors a year, you ask? Why does it house 82 artist studios, 6 galleries, 2 workshops and is home to 165 visual artists, who work in a wide range of media like painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography, jewelry, stained-glass, etc?
I will tell you why:
* 1918: The US Navy began construction on the original building and it became the US Naval Torpedo Station. It was fully operational for five years and was responsible for manufacturing and maintaining torpedoes. Work stopped and it was used as munitions storage until WWII began. Then the work began in earnest and it is said, that the men and women worked so hard and only got two days off a year.
* 1945: Peace was declared and the torpedo factory came to a grinding halt. The US Govt. decided to use the buildings as storage facilities and the Smithsonian stored art objects, Congress stored documents and the military stored German war films and sealed records.
* 1969: The City of Alexandria bought the buildings from the federal government and a proposal was presented to turn the space into artist studios, etc.
*1974: In May, work began to convert the building and rid it of 55 years of debris. By September, the Torpedo Factory Art Center was open to the public. In the 1970’s the artists worked under extreme conditions because they were so passionate about their work. The reason for the extreme conditions was the heating and cooling, and plumbing issues. But nevertheless, the artists still came and worked there.
1982: As part of the City’s waterfront renovation plan, the building underwent a major renovation while the artists worked in cramped quarters in a neighboring building. It was gutted entirely and 2 more floors were added and the artistic staircase and main staircase were also added. The heating, cooling and plumbing issues were also fixed and the resident artists were thrilled.
1983: Grand re-opening of the Torpedo Factory Art Center and the artists and public alike, enjoy this wonderful, creative place.
At the entrance of the center.
The artistic staircase, that has a step made entirely of glass and houses some bronze figurines. So creative!
Animals made out of bandages and other stuff. Aaron inspecting some art while the artist worked away in the background.
One of the artists had gone to lunch and left her darling doggie to watch her studio for her. See if you can spot him in the studio.
A sculptor/carver’s studio. Pretty amazing stuff.
This is the step in the staircase that houses the bronze figurines. What an ingenious idea!
A metal sculptor and an artist sharing the studio. This is where Aaron and I spent the rest of our time at the Factory, hence this is titled Part One, because I need to go back and see the other floors and exhibits some time soon.
Meet Chris, one of the nicest people we know. He has been in the Factory as a resident artist for about 6 years now, and Aaron and I got to ask him everything about his work and his life and really enjoyed talking to him. He is working currently on some art pieces for the Civil War Memorial Competition and is one of the finalists. His wife is a teacher and works with students in high school, and so his art is focused on education of teenagers. He works with all forms of media and is pretty incredible at what he does. We talked about his life, his new wife, their house in the woods, his art, the city, his hometown, his studio partner, Pat, and it was a really great interaction. We will visit Chris again, for sure!
His studio partner, Pat, is 91 years old and comes in to work everyday. Wish we could have met him too, then, Aaron and I would never have left! He was not there at the time that we came in, but Chris filled us in. Pat is a retired scientist who used to work for NASA. Below is one of his creations, that require precision, calculation, a multi-dimensional mind and patience to create it. The concept is mind-blowing, and even more incredible is that he is 91 and still has a passion for his art!
Chris says that Pat still carries a notebook and records every bit of work that he does, how long it takes him, what materials he used, etc., and this practice is rubbing off on Chris, who has now started to do the same.
Here is the full version of Pat’s incredible creation. What do you think?
