Art Trails

A WEAPON OF ART - THE TORPEDO FACTORY

Article & Photos by Anne Jenkins

The Torpedo Factory beside the Potomac.

Art contributes to the revitalization of an area or town - I might be banging this drum a lot but there can be no doubt about it. If you need living proof it is in Alexandria, Virginia - and the 37+ year old Torpedo Factory, one of the grand old dames of artist‘s colonies. She might have gone through a couple of facelifts during those years but she is still a magnetic draw for the crowds.

The green torpedo made in the factory in 1945.

An explosion of art aptly describes the Torpedo Factory - okay, the pun's probably been used many times before but, who could resist it? It really is an explosion of vibrant art and considering the factory was built to produce weapons of destruction, it is also a very welcoming, comfortable space.

A colorful mural at an entrance to the factory

The city of Alexandria bought the building from the U.S. Navy in 1969, who had been in the space since 1918, but it wasn't until 1974 when work to restore the huge building in to an arts colony began. What you walk in to now is a bright, airy and cheerful 3-floors of art with a couple of real torpedos on display proving how it got it‘s name and that the building did produce lethal weapons many years ago. One of those bad boys is artistically and cheekily encased in a woollen sheath, coyly trying to hide it's lethal capabilites.

Looking down to the ground floor

The three floors contain 82 studios with about 165 artists, 6 galleries and the Alexandria Archaeology Museum and The Art League School. We're talking a lot of art in one place. I wondered if it would be a little overwhelming or intimating. But not for a single minute did I feel intimidated or overwhelmed- the artists were welcoming, friendly and very professional. The throngs of visitors wander around in a happy daze of art. It would take more than a day visit to see everything and meet all the artists, but no matter if you visit 3 studios or 10 per visit, you will want to return again and again. This will just give you just a hint of the artists there, go discover your personal favorites.

Susan Finson works with bright color. Matthew Johnston paints large canvases

Susan Finsen's shares studio #25 on a ground floor with Laura Edwards. It is a light airy space filled with their bright, crisp work. An abstract artist, Susan describes her style as "marks - big and little, thick and thin, dark and light, smooth, bumpy, square, round, curvy, and straight." She should add bright and cheerful.

Christopher Erney and some of his work.

A couple of doors down Christopher Erney shares sculpture studio #33 with Pat Monk. Their space bursts with sculptures and designs ranging from wonderful to weird. I could have explored around there for hours. It is a treat to talk with Christopher. As an artist he is well known and can boast a long and impressive list of clients, awards and adventures in art - but he simply talks about it with humor and humility.

Section of the sculpture staircase

When you head up to the next floor, be sure to walk up the sculpture staircase - it is a continuous and curving work of art with a delightful mix of styles working harmoniously together.

Julian Parker-Burns shows off his studio

The energy and enthusiasm for art and life pulses out of Julian Parker Burns as he greets you to his studio #224. A colorful mixed media artist newly juried in to the Torpedo Factory he shares the studio of renown print maker and painter, Rosemary Feit Covey. He loves being surrounded by so many supportive artists and the whole atmosphere generated by the colony.

"This is incredibly exciting. It is just an honor to be invited in to share with Rosemary," Julian said. "I'm also learning so much from her."

His work has an international vibrancy from his travels, and from time living, around the world. He enthuses about the inter-connectivity of everything and life in general, it's fun to spend time with him talking about art and life and travel.

James D. Steele Photographer

Photographer James Steele lures you in to his studio # 343 with a sly sense of humor and evocative photography. The minute I saw his photo on the outside of his studio of an old car in the Californian ghost town of Bodie with Rembrandt making a move on Mona Lisa in the front seat, I just had to go inside to meet him.

"It was just a day I had too much time on my hands," he grins when I ask him about it.

I hope he has many more days with time on his hands. That photo pops in to my head every so often since I visited and I still laugh with delight at the thought.

He did a whole series with Mona appearing on things but even if he does have a thing for Mona, his work is anything but all humor. He mainly produces large scale photographs and these images are majestic. His landscapes ooze atmosphere and mystery.

Rob Dutton explains a detail to a visitor in the Alexandria Seaport Foundation workshop

Matthew Johnson paints large and colorful flowers on canvas against the wall in his studio #310 and is something of a fixture. He's been resident there almost as long as the factory has been open. He joked about living through the renovations and hating to move as people crowd through his overflowing studio. But his enthusiasm for the place is undimmed.

The Art League is a big organization. They offer art lessons and have their own art supply store. They take up half of the second floor with classrooms and administration offices. However, their gallery is on the ground floor. The Target Gallery is also on the ground floor.

When you visit, give yourself just a little extra time to stop in at a fascinating workshop nestled to the side of the Torpedo Factory - the Alexandria Seaport Foundation's shop is snugly moored in the Potomac. Here they work with at risk youth and teach them wooden boat building skills - an art itself. This in turn also teaches them life skills like being on time, finishing a project and self-worth. The little wooden boats are beautiful. A volunteer instructor, Rob Dutton, was in the workshop when I went in and welcomed me warmly. He patiently explained things as I gazed in rapture at an half-built upturned hull - it was so smooth and beautiful I kept stroking it. They do important work here and it is good to give them support.

A bevy of restaurants, galleries and speciality shops have blossomed around the area and makes Alexandria a cool place to visit. But spending time in the Torpedo Factory is special and makes for a memorable day out - the artists are more than willing to chat, their work is impressive and you will be inspired. Best of all, you will have fun and could find that special piece of art to take home.

Business information:

http://www.torpedofactory.org

Torpedo Factory is located at 105 N. Union St, Alexandria, VA 22314

http://susanfinsen.com

http://ChrisErney.com

http://julianparkerburns.com

http://rosemaryfeitcovey.com

http://photographybysteele.com

http://talltulips.com

http://alexandriaseaport.org

http://theartleague.org

Click to learn about Anne Jenkins