Torpedo Factory Art Center

Wow! What a great discovery! I often go to the area but had never found it somehow.
Arts: Many different kinds.
Artists: Cool and friendly mostly!
Price: $-$$$$$
Location: Awesome. In old town in front of the harbor.
Parking: Not free but plenty. Maybe free on Sunday and in the evening.

It is wonderful to find a center that is actually a full on artists center. The Torpedo Factory Art Center features dozens of independent artists, ranging from wood block prints, to pottery, paintings, photography and more. Most of the stores have the actual artists in them for a change and most of them are quite friendly.
Too many places that call themselves art centers are full of chain driven junk, not a inch of this in the Torpedo Factory. Well worth the visit.

Loved the idea of having a plethora of artist booths to explore, but everything was super expensive. Also thought it was a little odd that when you walked into a shop, not one person said hello to you.

Visited on 11÷19÷15
This is a nice single building art center/​torpedo museum located in Old Towne, right next to the waterfront. Suprisingly it’s free, considering it was an actually a torpedo factory during WWII. I gave it 5 stars because there’s a lot of memorabilia and old torpedos on display, which i enjoyed. I’ll return during one of my strolls around Old Towne.

A perfectly good torpedo factory turned into an art gallery/​studio. The Torpedo Factory is great to walk around and is a must visit in Old Town and therefore in Alexandria and its free.
There are a wide variety or artists and mediums, that should satisfy most people. While you don’t, and most visitors don’t have to buy anything, the atmosphere and snobbery is middle range, again for most people. There are even reasonably priced art classes available during the evening and weekends, sort of like a community art college.
in addition to art there is memorabilia from when it was an actual torpedo factory (including a Mk 14 torpedo) as well as an archeology section with artifacts from Alexandria. Both are great if you want to know more about the local area and the evolution of Alexandria and once again is very approachable for everyone. There are even broken porcelain puzzles for you to put back together.
My only criticism is that there usually isn’t any wine or beer. I understand it’s an art gallery/​studio and it would require licenses, but a small stand in the center serving a glass of wine or a pint of beer to drink as you stroll and enjoy art would be perfect.
I said usually because there are always events at the Torpedo Factory (which btw closes an hour early at 5pm to setup for these events) and last night was a regular event called Art on Tap. $ 35 – 45 dollars for six pairings of art, local beer (all you can drink) and local food (all you can eat). This is what the Torpedo Factory should always be.

I have been here a couple of times — once for an awesome Unilocal Party and once just to see the exhibits. The place has been great at all times — it can get overwhelming, but directions are plentiful and folks are helpful! I like that you get to meet the artist and talk to them about their art etc. I am in no way an artist myself, but I respect what other people do — so many different perspectives on similar themes, that by itself is awe inspiring.
Bathrooms were clean at all times and the facility is generally very well maintained — I appreciate that!

What great use of space and a unique concept too! This art center is housed in an old munitions plant (hence the name Torpedo Factory) and is home to the largest collection of publicly accessible working artist studios in the US. And as I mentioned, the location can’t be beat! Right on the Potomac Riverfront in the heart of Old Town Alexandria. I have visited here several times now just because it’s a free thing to do when in Old Town and you can come and go as you please, and there is always something new to see since, as I mentioned already, these are working artists studios. If there is a private event they typically close early and, along the same lines, not all 82 studios are open at the same time.
Another unique thing housed in the Torpedo Factory is the Alexandria Archeology Museum. It doesn’t take that long to view (it is only a large room) but contains many interesting things so check that out too! There’s also an outlet of local café chain Bread and Chocolate in case you need a coffee or a nosh while you’re there. They offer art classes and various community events too. I love the supportive community feel that exudes from here! Definitely a must-​do if you’re visiting or even if you’re a local!

I’m probably biased because I did get married here, so this place will always be special to my heart.
We spent the labor day holiday by walking around Old Town and enjoying the views and shops. A friend new to the area hadn’t been to Old Town before, so TFAC was naturally a must on the tour. I love that you can peer through the studios to see what’s there, or even walk in if the artist happens to be there. The atmosphere is one of a community center, so you don’t have to feel fancy spancy to walk around and admire the artwork.
A great, free activity when in Old Town. And, I may say, a great place to have an event after 6pm! The place transforms.

Apparently I missed something because the Torpedo Factory Art Center was a disappointment for me. I’d been looking forward to going her for a while so perhaps the anticipation made me expect more but there wasn’t much going on when I visited. Many of the studios were closed (in their defense, it was around lunch time) but the displays in the windows were not very impressive; much of the art is positioned in such a way that does not make it easy to see from the walkways. A few of the artists seemed approchable but their items (jewelry, scarves, etc.) were extremely expensive.
It’s worth stopping by randomly if you’re in the area but I wouldn’t travel to Alexandria simply to go here. Like the idea behind the Art Center but the result was not impressive.

Art is super subjective, so reviews saying «the art is bad» are super amusing to me?
Anyway, they have good hours, and a really convenient and attractive location right on the water front. This place is a staple of downtown Alexandria for a good reason. The little book store/​café in it is also great!

The Torpedo Factory Art Center consists of three floors of galleries from mostly local artists displaying their work. No offense to the artists, but the first floor was the most unexceptional one to me. Walking around in one of the painting galleries, I thought THIS is what all of Williamsburg wants to be. Everything is beautifully laid out, there’s great lighting and tons of space. But among the paintings, sculptures, pottery and other crafts I found on the first floor, the work mostly struck me as overpriced and uninteresting.
The second floor was a bit better. I went on a Saturday morning and many of the second floor galleries were closed, but the views from the windows suggested that there was some good stuff to see. There was also a window seat with a gorgeous view of National Harbor near one of the administrative offices.
The THIRD floor made the whole experience for me. I walked by a couple of galleries initially, but then I was stunned by an enormous painting of a mist-​covered mountain at dan that seemed to actually be glowing, and I had to get a closer look. Once inside the gallery of Susan Makara, I found myself surrounded by paintings of landscapes with intense, shimmering hues, and portraits that reinterpreted specific ideas and figures in such a way as to cast a new sense of darkness over them. The artist appeared to be absent from her gallery, and like a starstruck fangirl I rushed out to find her, and purchased every postcard reproduction of her paintings that she had. I am a lover of art, though an admittedly unlearned one; I have never been so moved by a painting as I was here. I made sure to get Susan’s card on my way out.
Much of the other artwork that I found displayed was also very cool and worth the trip. Alison Sigethy’s kinetic glass sculptures were gorgeous, and I’m thinking she was likely involved in the set-​up of the tall rectangular cube lamps glowing in the area leading to her gallery that were surrounded with «bubbles.» I loved the eerily lovely portraits by Anna Shakeeva too, with mythical and otherworldly figures whose features were distorted in various ways. I grabbed cards specifically for these three artists, but there was a lot of other work on this floor worth seeing too. Definitely make sure to go all the way to the top floor when you visit the Torpedo Factory galleries. It’s definitely where all the best work to see (and buy) is to be found.

I went to the Torpedo Factory Art Center for a student art show on 3÷20÷15. Although, (I believe) it is free to go to the Torpedo Factory Art Center; I had to pay for the art show. I didn’t mind since the money was going to support their art school. The show itself was interesting (the organizers asked you to vote on and/​or purchase a piece for $ 100).
The show also gave me a chance to look at the artists (who I believe have to apply to be part of the Torpedo Factory Art Center) studio spaces.
The artists with studios have a range of styles (and truly there is something for everyone). However, I wish more of the artists had actually keep their studios open knowing that there was an event in the evening (several of them I had to look through the window to see their art).
I also would have liked to see/​hear more live entertainment. I only spent about 45 minutes at the art show. After you saw the pieces and explored the closed studios there wasn’t much more to stick around for.

We headed to Old Town Alexandria to shop and quickly got bored.
A tip from Foursquare led us to the Torpedo Factory Art Center. What an awesome find! It’s basically a huge building of artist’s galleries, workspace, and a learning center. Oh it’s also a wedding venue. On the day we visited, they closed early to host a party.
It’s a leisure stroll through the art center. There are interesting sculptures throughout. Some galleries you can just peep through the glass windows to watch them work. No pictures. Others are friendlier and you can visit and talk shop.
We were able to check out the gallery of Lisa Schumaier. She was doing some charity work. People were encouraged to chew gumballs and then stick it on to some pictures. The results were pretty cool if you could let go of being a germaphobe.
I’d love to revisit. Lunch, a walk around the Potomac Riverfront, and the Torpedo Factory Art Center would be perfection. I’m such an old lady these days.

I’d never heard of the Torpedo Factory until recently and I was pleasantly surprised. There are three levels of little art galleries of all kinds of art. There are metal workers, painters, jewelers, and photographers.
There is street parking but they are metered.
The only issue I had with the factory is that it is a public area and there were unsavory people inside of the gallery.

This place is awesome! My inner artist loves visiting.
Its location makes it an easy place to visit and a fantastic place for artists to work.
There’s always new work and they often host special events and activities.
Definitely worth a visit!

This is one of my favorite places in the world. Among other things, I have been privileged to take art classes here with incredibly talented artist-​teachers. Anyone with even a passing interest in art will enjoy a class through the the Torpedo Factory. More importantly, the Torpedo Factory is an artist-​incubator, predating tech incubators by at least 30 years.
Here you will find a grand diversity of media created by approximately 200 artists. Indeed, a visitor would be hard-​pressed to identify any medium that is unrepresented. Many highly-​skilled, –pedigreed and –celebrated artists are represented here
Further, the Torpedo Factory is home to 84 artist studios, the largest concentration of studios in the US. Visitors have the rare opportunity to observe the creative process in real time in addition to opportunities to begin or enhance an art collection.

One of my favorite places to go to in the Northern Virginia area to get creative inspiration. I am an aspiring artist, and an elementary art teacher. I love to go and stare at artists working, there is lots of creativity and great art work of all kinds — -paintings, sculptures, carvings, prints, etc. The discipline and work ethic of many of the artists is also really inspiring. Honestly, I would LOVE to talk the ear off all the artists, but at the same time I’m afraid of bothering any of them. so I usually just ask 1 – 2 questions, and gauge how responsive the artists seem, and go from there.
I am currently taking one oil painting/​acrylic class at the Torpedo factory. I was considered an ok artist in my undergrad program (I majored in studio art), but it’s been 6 years since college, and my skills were very rusty. I’ve been getting what I wanted from the class– the discipline to start painting, the time and inspiration to warm up my painting skills, some new techniques (how to make things more realistic, some trompe l’oeil techniques, and challenge. The class humbled me a bit, I’m not as good I thought I was, and I need to practice, and paint, paint, paint if I want to get anywhere. To be a ‘painter’ you can’t just have a degree, that’s just the beginning. You need to practice, practice, practice.
I will be taking more classes at Torpedo Factory, and I do recommend taking courses! Pretty affordable! You meet cool people in the classes, too!

Unique, historical & interesting.
If you enjoy the above three, this will be a five star experience for you.
It’s got such a creative vibe to it.
Nice that it’s on the waterfront and a great place to visit every so often.

I am always amazed when there are places like this that I discover I knew nothing about at all… I grew up here and some times it is almost embarrassing that I didn’t know a place like this was existed! After coming here for the ultra fab and highly exclusive Unilocal party, I immediately knew this venue would make a great place for a party for work. We are currently getting ready to coordinate our holiday celebration here! I am confident it will be a success! This venue screams with creativity and will give our guest plenty to chat about all night.
TFAC is three floors of glassed encased art studios for local artist. I fully expected to just see walls and display cases lined with art for sale. I was truly pleased to not only see that the artist had their work on display for purchase, but that they each have their own individual working studios here. We were able to see pieces in progress as well as items for sale. Great place!
Note: Parking will run you about $ 13 in the parking garage directly across from the building. But make the most of it by planning a day to visit the artist when their studios are open and then grab dinner with a loved one elsewhere on the strip.

What a great space to see local artists work and create!
I love wandering the galleries and meeting the creative minds behind the works I admire.
It should also be noted they host some really great events (ex: March150 Art Party) and some truly beautiful weddings have taken place here.